Writing Dialogue

Nothing catches the eye of a script reader or actor more than distinctive, entertaining dialogue. Up your dialogue-writing chops in this one-week online course that begins on March 11th.

There are TWO SPECIAL OFFERS including how to receive a gift: A personally autographed copy of my book The Protagonist’s Journey! See below!

There are many intangibles about the craft of screenwriting. Much of that derives from the fact that story itself is organic. Stories — good ones, at least — are not formulas. They are not widgets. Rather they are living, breathing entities with a heart, soul, and even will of their own. They slip and slide as we develop and write them, creating a series of challenges as we try our best to solve their mysteries.

Perhaps nowhere is this more apparent than with dialogue. When I pose the question, “How do you write dialogue” to professional screenwriters, the most common response is basically this: I don’t know.

Common advice as to how to learn to write good dialogue:

• Listen to real-life conversations to get a sense of how people talk.
• Read scripts and watch movies — or better yet listen to movies — in order to grasp the feel and flow of film characters talking.
• Simply keep writing, that the more you pound out pages and knock out original screenplays, you will develop your ear for dialogue.

All of those are reasonable points. But aren’t there principles and practices we can learn to help bring into focus a writer’s ability to craft compelling, entertaining and effective dialogue?

That was my thinking when I sat down to create the fifth class in the Core curriculum — Core V: Dialogue, which begins Monday, March 11.

As with everything I teach about screenwriting, it starts with character. Isn’t it obvious the more you know and understand about your story’s characters, the more likely their respective voices will emerge into your consciousness?

Beyond that, it’s not just about hearing them, it’s about choosing the most impactful dialogue to support the point of each scene and drive the plot forward.

OVERVIEW

Dialogue is critically important to the success of your stories. This 1-week online course teaches you key principles and practices for writing strong dialogue that derives from the inner world of the character.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

Dialogue as purpose, a character’s voice as inward journey and outward expression, purpose through subtext, subtext through silence, realistic dialogue, and multiple practical techniques to engender your ability to hear your characters and communicate their words.

• Learn ways to dig into your characters to find their distinctive voices as well as time-proven tools to write dialogue that is realistic and compelling.
• Use what you have learned by workshopping one of your story’s primary characters, discovering the synergy between who they are and what they say.

COURSE DETAILS

• Six lectures written by Scott Myers
• Special insider tips
• 24/7 online forum discussions moderated by instructor
• Writing exercises with instructor and class feedback
• 90-minute live teleconference between instructor and class members
• Logline workshop

WHO SHOULD TAKE THIS COURSE

Screenwriters, TV writers, novelists, and playwrights who want to learn an organic process of writing dialogue by immersing themselves in the lives of their characters.

TESTIMONIAL

“I just completed the Core Dialogue course and I can honestly say it delivers back your investment threefold.” ~ Sabina Giado

There is no right way to write. Every writer is different. Every story is different. And you can learn everything you need to know about the craft of screenwriting by doing three things: Watch movies. Read scripts. Write pages.

However, if you want to explore the subject of dialogue in an immersive fashion and from a distinct character-based perspective, I invite you to join me for this 1-week online class which begins Monday, March 11.

I only teach my Core classes once a year and the 2023 cycle begins next month. Everything you need to know about character-driven screenwriting in this unique curriculum based on eight principles: Plot, Concept, Character, Style, Dialogue, Scene, Theme, Time.

CORE I: PLOT — A one-week class which begins with the principle Plot = Structure and explores the inner workings of the Screenplay Universe: Plotline and Themeline. Start date: [Already offered — Site active].

CORE II: CONCEPT — A one-week class which begins with the principle Concept = Hook and examines multiple strategies to generate, develop and assess story ideas. Start date: [Already offered — Site active].

CORE III: CHARACTER — A one-week class which begins with the principle Character = Function and delves into archetypes: Protagonist, Nemesis, Attractor, Mentor, and Trickster. Start date: [Already offered — Site active].

CORE IV: STYLE — A one-week class which begins with the principle Style = Voice and surfaces keys to developing a distinctive writer’s personality on the page. Start date: February 26 [Currently running].

CORE V: DIALOGUE — A one-week class which begins with the principle Dialogue = Purpose and probes a variety of ways to write effective, entertaining dialogue. Start date: March 11.

CORE VI: SCENE — A one-week class which begins with the principle Scene = Point and provides six essential questions to ask when crafting and writing any scene. Start date: March 25.

CORE VII: THEME — A one-week class which begins with the principle Theme = Meaning and gives writers a concrete take on theme which can elevate the depth of any story. Start date: April 8.

CORE VIII: TIME — A one-week class which begins with the principle Time = Present and studies Present, Present-Past, Present-Future and time management in writing. Start date: April 22.

These eight Core classes represent decades of my work on the front lines of the entertainment business as a writer and producer, and engaging the craft as a teacher as well, over time pulling together a coherent, comprehensive, and cohesive approach to screenwriting theory.

This is not about secret systems or magic formulas, rather the Core content presents a story-crafting process that starts with characters, works with characters, and ends with characters. That process of engaging you with your story universe through your characters and getting you in touch with these living, breathing individuals informs every step of your creative process, leading you to story structure, themes, conflict, subplots, and all the rest. As I say, Character Driven Screenwriting.

SPECIAL OFFER #1: This cycle, a special sale price. Normally the Core classes are $95 each. In 2023, each is on sale for $79!

A popular option is the Core Package which gives you exclusive access to the content in all eight Craft classes which you can go through on your own time and at your own pace, plus automatic enrollment in each 1-week online course — all for nearly 50% off the normal price of each individual class. If you sign up now, you can have immediate access to all of the Core content.

“Joining Scott’s Core classes is one of the best decisions anyone could make when deciding to embark on the journey of writing a screenplay. His passion for teaching and screenwriting could not be more inspirational. I couldn’t wish for a better teacher and mentor!” — Theodora von Auersperg

Imagine not only learning all of the Core content, but also talking with me and other writers every other week for an hour or more in live Zoom teleconferences. If you sign up for the Core Package, you get all that… and more!

SPECIAL OFFER #2: This year, when you enroll in the Core Package, I will send you a personally autographed copy of my book: The Protagonist’s Journey … my gift to you!

Scott has pulled off a remarkable feat. He’s made a complete compendium of the screenwriting craft while continuing to encourage the antithesis of formulaic writing.” — Peter Craig (The Batman, Top Gun: Maverick)

My book is an introduction to character-driven screenwriting and storytelling. The Core curriculum takes you much deeper into the subject matter and touches on all the key principles you need to know to elevate your screenwriting chops.

For The Core Package and a free autographed copy of The Protagonist’s Journey, go here.

For information on Core V: Dialogue, which begins March 11th, go here.

I look forward to the opportunity to work with you!