Dynamic Dialogue: Letting Your Story Speak (Red Sneaker Writers Book)

By: William Bernhardt

Narrated by: William Bernhardt

Length: 2 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's Summary

Dynamic dialogue can turn an otherwise ordinary novel into a delightful read, but dull, uninspired dialogue will cause readers to lose interest and try something else. In this book, best-selling author William Bernhardt, renowned for his handling of dialogue, explains his techniques for making characters come to life through their words. He explains the importance of matching character and dialogue, of avoiding dialogue that's “on-the-nose,” and the value of using dialogue to suggest what no one will say aloud. Bernhardt explains how to enrich your story and quicken the pace with dramatic and clever dialogue exchanges, skillful use of dialogue beats, and subtext. The book also includes exercises designed to help writers apply these ideas to their own writing.

William Bernhardt is the bestselling author of more than thirty books, including the blockbuster Ben Kincaid novels and Nemesis: The Final Case of Eliot Ness, currently in production as an NBC miniseries. Bernhardt is also one of the most sought-after writing instructors in the nation. He is the only person to have received the Southern Writers Gold Medal Award, the Royden B. Davis Distinguished Author Award (U Penn) and the H. Louise Cobb Distinguished Author Award (OSU), which is given “in recognition of an outstanding body of work that has profoundly influenced the way in which we understand ourselves and American society at large.”

The Red Sneaker Writing Center is dedicated to helping writers achieve their literary goals. What is a red sneaker writer? A committed writer seeking useful instruction and guidance rather than obfuscation and attitude. Red sneakers get the job done and so do red sneaker writers, by paying close attention to their art and craft, committing to hard work, and never quitting. Are you a red sneaker writer? If so, this book is for you.

©2014 William Bernhardt Writing Programs (P)2014 Babylon Books

Excellent advice, brief and on-point

I think this short read helps demystify great dialog. As a writer, this book makes you think about technical writing issues. As a reader and consumer, this book helps you become aware of the rules and guidelines of dialog.

Bernhardt, divides things up into bite-sized chapters and provides exercises at the end of each for the purpose of honing skills. He avoids lengthy cut-and-paste examples and instead focuses on concise examples. I believe any series reader or writer will benefit from this work.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Now I can't unsee

Seeing how dialogue is created, my other books have so many secrets they want to tell me. Fun and useful for writing my book.

Doesn't differentiate itself

If you haven't read anything about dialogue before, this covers off basically what most other books on the subject explore. Most of the examples are from the authors own work, and a lot of them fall flat upon delivery. I wasn't inspired to take notes or try any of his exercises. I don't think I will bother with his other books.

pompous and to the point...

The author/narrator is very cocky and arrogant but I must admit he gets a good point across and I did learn a lot about writing dialogue. That being the point I gave an overall of 4stars taking away points for delivery.

Burnhardt's series is the best I've found.

Want to write well? Here's Clarity at its finest. Burnhardt delivers . The series gives you more than a taste. You'll want to digest these., returning for just one more nibble., or ... five. Who's counting. Gift yourself.

Dynamic dialogue delivers!

Before you even dream of writing a novel this is a must book! Absolutely brilliant!

Good read

Useful but would prefer more examples got a little bit boring but still has great book points

A 4 for the review.

I like the ease with which the book was narrated. Instead of the long list in the end, I would have preferred a discourse. The beginning was more informative. It seems as if the author started to rsh the material to reach the end. But overall, it was good.

The Most help I've found so far

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

He cuts to the chase and explains things so they are easy to understand and remembered. He doesn't drone on except when telling about jokes which should be shortened. I need to read all of his Red Sneaker books, I got so much out of this one.

A quick listen that changed my approach completely

Any additional comments?

I would recommend this book for anyone writing a novel because I found it a wonderful guide for approaching dialog and a quick listen that's not too daunting.

0 of 1 people found this review helpful

Excellent reaffirmation of How to handle Dialogue

Generally good very good. Author could do with a Pause when he is making a recap list of pertinent points.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful