How To Use The Power Of Dialogue In Non-Fiction

Home > Blog > Tips, Tips For Writers > How To Use The Power Of Dialogue In Non-Fiction

I recently had a coffee with a fellow blogger, called John M.

“I’m writing a novel – started yesterday,” he said. “Yep—” he nodded, reaching for the sugar with a frown. “Better than writing those bloody blog posts I have to churn out each week.”

“Well, what’s so great about writing a novel?” I asked.

John poured more sugar into his latte. “I love the dialogues!”

“If you’re so fired up about dialogues, can’t you use them in your non-fiction stuff?”

“Nope,” John shook his head. “Can’t do… they don’t work in non-fiction.”

Don’t they?

Many non-fiction writers think like John and miss out on a great tool to liven up their work. Here are three things you need to know in order to make dialogue work in non-fiction:

1. Use dialogue as a hook

Dialogue works as a hook because it makes a story out of mere information. Open a daily paper at random and observe how journalists use this technique. Here, for example, is the beginning of an article on arson statistics in the Guardian:

“I’ve lost everything,” sobbed Marian Boulder outside her house that burned to the ground yesterday morning. “I only got out at the last moment and had to leave behind all my treasures. And the photos of my daughter who died last year.”

Marion Boulder’s house was just one of 340 suspected arson cases this year. Yesterday Police Chief Inspector Holmes commented on the rise of arson…

The story of Marian Boulder is the vivid hook that leads into the kind of piece that keeps statisticians on a high but makes the rest of us reach for a pillow. However, because we are touched by Marion’s story, we are inclined to continue reading—at least for another paragraph, or so.

You might be wondering whether this is really an example of dialogue – after all there’s only one person talking. True. But maybe we can agree that the interviewer’s presence and questions are implied in the story.

2. Use direct quotes for emotional impact

Read the following two paragraphs and see which one has the most impact on you. They are from my upcoming Ebook, called ‘From Tragedy to Triumph: Winning Through a Life Crisis’:

1. The first response to disaster is usually denial–which is the opposite of acceptance. It took a long time for Linda D. to emerge from denial.

2. “Imagine my shock,” Linda said, “when I woke after the operation and the surgeon told me that they had sewn me up again because there was nothing, absolutely nothing they could do for me. They found cancer all through my liver. My first thought was: ‘No! Ben’s only four. I can’t leave him on his own. I just can’t be dying”

I’m sure that you too are emotionally touched by Linda’s story. Instead of just registering that denial is a natural response to shock, we are suddenly faced with Linda’s suffering. At that moment the facts wear a human face.

3. Set the stage for quotes

When you use quotes, you are a film director and must take control of the scene! Don’t let the dialogue just hang there in space. Make sure that your characters do something while they are talking. In her book ‘Write Away’, Elisabeth George calls the actions that accompany dialogue THADs, or a ‘Talking Heads Avoidance Devices’.

To illustrate, let’s take a peak at how I close the story of Linda D.

It was late spring when Linda came to see me one last time. She was frail and her skin was like parchment.

I settled her into a chair on the verandah. The wisteria blooms were a sea of purple. We were silent for a while. Then I asked:

“How do you feel about dying?”

“I feel at peace now,” she said. Then she raised her face to the sun and shut her eyes. “Everything is so precious. Now I know how precious each moment is!”

You can see that the scene is important to bring out the unspoken in the dialogue. The simple act of settling her into a chair in the late sun implies that Linda is now close to death.

You might ask, “Is this really a true story?”

Stick to the truth—but don’t pander to reality.

If you are a journalist, your integrity depends on your objective and truthful reporting. However, as a writer you have license to use creative techniques in order to transmit both information and emotions.

Linda really existed and I knew her well. The quote about how she woke up after the operation is from a taped interview that I did with her before she died. I tidied it up a little but it’s essentially original. I don’t think the wisteria was flowering at the time of her last visit. I use the veranda, the wisteria, and the evening sun as props to set the scene. Notice also that I describe Linda’s face and body with a couple of words. It’s important to flesh out your characters so that readers can imagine them.

There is a lot to learn when writing dialogue. A great way is to read what fiction writers have to say about it. An even better way is to try it out and have fun!

Here are some useful resources:

I’d be interested to hear what you have to say about using dialogue. Maybe you’re dead against it. Or maybe you’ve tried it and it was a hit – or it flopped. Whatever your experience is with writing dialogue, please share your thoughts and musings in the comments.

Editor’s Note: Don’t hit “Publish” yet!

​​Your book is more than a book—it’s an ambassador for your brand and your  career. If you find this post helpful, you’ll be interested in Mike’s branding course for authors. Click here for details and 50% off exclusively for WritetoDone readers.

RECENT POSTS

How To Launch A Writing Career: 10 Tips For Success

Many creatives want to launch a writing career, but taking the steps to do so is a frequent roadblock. The good news is, if you want to launch a writing career and are committed to doing so, you’re likely to succeed.  Of course, the definition of success is...

6 Book Introduction Examples: Helpful Secrets To Compelling Intros

The topic of book introduction examples is vital to dive into due to their influence on readers’ mindset. How a reader feels when he or she starts chapter one and page one of your manuscript impacts how they respond to your writing. When you’ve spent weeks, months, or...

5 Tips To Write Faster: Finish Your Book In Record Time

Did you know that if you want to write faster than the average typist (40 words per minute) there are actionable steps you can take to do so? Whether you are working on typing out your debut novel or have been in the game for years, there’s always an opportunity to...

Vision Boards For Writers: 3 Ways To Achieve Your Dreams

Vision boards are more than just a fun activity to engage in at the start of a new year or season. While vision boards are often designed to be aesthetically pleasing and can be a relaxing activity, they actually can be more helpful to your writing dreams than you...

JOIN OVER 2 MILLION READERS

WANT YOUR NEXT BOOK TO BE A BESTSELLER?

Then you need KDP Rocket – the killer advantage of pro authors.

Related Posts

How To Launch A Writing Career: 10 Tips For Success

How To Launch A Writing Career: 10 Tips For Success

Many creatives want to launch a writing career, but taking the steps to do so is a frequent roadblock. The good news is, if you want to launch a writing career and are committed to doing so, you’re likely to succeed.  Of course, the definition of success is...

About The Author

Mary Jaksch

Mary Jaksch is best known for her exceptional training for writers at WritetoDone.com and for her cutting-edge book, Youthful Aging Secrets. In her “spare” time, Mary is also the brains behind GoodlifeZEN.com, a Zen Master, a mother, and a 5th Degree Black Belt.

Latest Posts

How to Find Freelance Writing Work (2024 Guide)

How to Find Freelance Writing Work (2024 Guide)

Freelance writing is a great way to earn some extra money on the side. But as you may discover once you get a foothold in the industry, it’s more than possible to turn it into a full-time job and lifelong career. There are some hurdles that you have to overcome,...

31 Ways to Find Inspiration for Your Writing

31 Ways to Find Inspiration for Your Writing

You can’t wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club. - Jack London No matter how much you love writing, there will always be days when you need inspiration from one muse or another. In fact, I would argue that inspiration is not just a desirable...