How to write dazzling dialogue : the fastest way to improve any manuscript / James Scott Bell

The fastest way to improve any manuscript -- What dialogue is...and isn't -- Story weaving: the true art of dialogue -- Training for dialogue -- Increasing conflict and tension in dialogue -- Craft secrets for shaping great dialogue -- Top 10 dialogue issues: Punctuation; Attributions, adverbs, action tags; Dialects; Backstory; Inner dialogue; Experimental; Cursing; Thematic dialogue; comic relief; Period dialogue.

"There is one sure-fire way of improving your novel fast...You may know the fundamentals of how to write fiction. You may be more than competent in plot, structure and characters. But if your dialogue is dull it will drag the whole story down. On the other hand, if your dialogue is crisp and full of tension it immediately grabs the reader. And if that reader is an agent or editor, sharp dialogue will give them instant assurance that you know what you're doing as a writer. Writing a bestseller or hot screenplay is no easy task, but dazzling dialogue is an absolute essential if you want to get there. The best part is, the skills of the dialogue craft are easy to understand and put into practice. #1 bestselling writing coach James Scott Bell has put together and expanded upon the dialogue lectures from his popular writing seminars. Don't sabotage your chanes of selling your work to readers or publishers because the dialogue is unexceptional. Dazzle them with what the characters say!"--Back cover.