What will be covered in this workshop?

Dialogue works on multiple levels. Not only does it add characterisation, offering glimpses into a character’s age, gender and class, it also drives the story forward making it an extremely efficient and effective way to add depth to your stories. So why do writers so often shy away from using it? Because like all good writing, it can be hard to get right.

A term that is often used when encouraging people to write dialogue is make your characters sound ‘realistic’. But what is realistic dialogue? Is it possible to write it? And if so, how? As well as breaking down conversations to see why they work (or don’t) in order to build up new ones, there will be an opportunity for discussions around accents, dialects, verbal tics, etc., and how best to be true to our characters’ voices.

Alongside the more creative elements of writing dialogue, we will delve into some of the nitty gritty areas, such as direct speech, reported speech, quoted speech and dialogue tags.

This is a workshop aimed at gaining a better understanding of how to use dialogue within your writing through a range of guided exercises, examples and discussion.

What Participants Will Take Away

• the opportunity to practice writing dialogue
• clearer understanding of how to use dialogue to add characterisation to stories
• clearer understanding of how to use dialogue tags, and when to omit them
• clearer understanding of the difference between ‘realistic dialogue’ and ‘effective dialogue’
• discussion around using regional accents and how to do that effectively

There will be an optional opportunity to share.

This workshop is suitable for all levels.

Who is teaching this workshop?

Laura Besley is the author of (Un)Natural Elements, 100neHundred & The Almost Mothers. She has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize & twice nominated for Best Micro Fiction. She recently completed an MA in Creative Writing and is an editor with Flash Fiction Magazine. Having in lived in The Netherlands, Germany and Hong Kong, she now lives in land-locked central England and misses the sea.

When does this workshop happen?

Saturday, May 4, 2024: 8 AM PDT / 11 AM EDT / 4 PM BST / 8:30 PM IST / 1 AM AEST

This workshop runs for 2 hours.

Scroll down for the time zone map.

How is this workshop presented?

• Online, live, interactive.
• Participants are encouraged (but not required) to keep their cameras on.
• Run on Zoom.
• Has built-in closed captioning.

How will I access my workshop?

To access the online event page, do any of the following:

• Go to the confirmation email and click View the event.
• Visit the event page and click Access the event.
• Log into Eventbrite and go to Tickets. Find your order and click Go to online event page.

Will this workshop be recorded?

No, this workshop will not be recorded.

Are there more workshops?

You bet! Just click here to see the Crow Collective workshops open for registration.

Do you have a mailing list?

Yes - click here to sign up for my free, biweekly mailing list.

What is the Crow Collective?

Crow Collective workshops are by the writing community, for the writing community. The prices are low so they are more accessible, and there are two free spots (if needed).

Why can't I access the ticket button using the Apple Eventbrite app?

This is a decision on Eventbrite's part. You should be able to access the ticket button using the website instead. If you're still having troubles, feel free to get in touch.

Where did the free tickets on Eventbrite go?

No worries, the free tickets still exist. There's a long explanation below, but the short version is: if you can really use a free ticket just write Sage via the Crow Collective site and she will provide them. As always, no questions asked.

Long version: The Eventbrite free tickets are gone within the first five minutes of the workshop opening for registration. The Crow Collective community is spread all over the world, and there's no way to make the moment free tickets come available fair because half of us are asleep while the other half are awake. So from here on out, just get in touch.

2 hour workshops - always eligable, if there's money in the tip jar - and there almost always is.

2 day and 5 week workshops - two free spots built in, I will give these away in the order I receive requests. After those built in spots are gone, you're welcome to get in touch about $19 CAD off the total price.