Harmony Between Narrative and Dialogue

Class Description

Balancing narrative with dialogue can be one of the most exciting parts of writing. A dryer prose guiding use toward a poetic, or maybe even foul-mouthed, argument between colorful characters. Or a stream of consciousness narration that takes us through emotional peaks and valleys, just before the soliloquy of a level-headed character provides crucial context and a moment to catch our breath. But balancing narrative with dialogue can also be tricky, especially when we’re unsure about how we want to use these two tools in service of our story. When should summary replace a scene? When should an action tag break up dialogue instead of a speech tag? How can I use my dialogue to set up my narrative and vice versa?

In seminar, we’ll explore four different narrative styles, the building blocks for dialogue, and how to use each element in service of the other. We’ll use prompts, analyze narrative and dialogue samples, and discuss some of the technical approaches authors have used to take their narrative- and dialogue-writing to new heights.

Class Format

This class will take place using Zoom videoconferencing. About 15 minutes before your class is scheduled to begin, you'll receive an email from your instructor with a link to join the class meeting!

Scholarship Information

Thanks to the excellent literary citizenship of our donors, scholarships are available for all GrubStreet classes. To apply, click the gray "APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIP" button. In order to be considered for a scholarship, you must complete your application at least one week before the start date of a class. Please await our scholarship committee's decision before registering for the class. We cannot hold spots in classes, so the sooner you apply, the better. Scholarships cannot be applied retroactively.

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