S13E1 - The Solution to Awkward Dialogue

Diagnosing problems in writing can be one of the most difficult tasks for any author. The creators are most often blinded to their own shortcomings. Readers may notice when something is awkward or boring while the author thinks it's one of the more interesting excerpts. The August series is dedicated to diagnosing these problems, from continuity errors to gaps in logic the readers will inevitably question.

While some authors excel, many more struggle to write one of the most basic elements of any story: dialogue. Character interaction can easily turn into stiff phrases tossed back and forth like robots programmed to respond only to a select few inputs. There's a delicate balance all authors must find between realistic conversations and dialogue that can be read easily. Ley and Leigh discuss ways to identify and fix even the most awkward dialogue.

First aired August 3, 2020.