DiscoverADWIT: The Audio Drama Writers' Independent ToolkitMastering Character Dialogue: Beyond the Words
Mastering Character Dialogue: Beyond the Words

Mastering Character Dialogue: Beyond the Words

Update: 2025-05-02
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Welcome to another jam packed episode of ADWIT with Lindsay Harris-Friel and Sarah Golding!

Dialogue is the lifeblood of audio drama, serving both the author's intent to move the plot forward and revealing what characters truly want. We explore how effective dialogue communicates information while entertaining the audience and avoiding the pitfalls of unnecessary exposition.

• Good dialogue has two essential jobs: communicating what the author wants and what the character wants
• Audio storytelling creates stronger physiological responses than visual media, according to research by University College London
• Dialogue doesn't need to spell everything out – trust the audience to fill in blanks with their imagination
• All dialogue should move the story forward into future action, not dwell in the past
• "The Dark End of the Mall" by The Truth podcast demonstrates masterful dialogue techniques
• Small talk can establish character dynamics but should be minimal in audio drama


Writing exercise: Create a standalone podcast episode based on the folktale about the woman who always wore a ribbon around her neck (see below or research!) focusing on the wedding night conversation between the two main characters.


A LINK TO The Green Ribbon   ...But there are many! 

Send your script excerpt to our Discord channel - here

Or ping to our email - writersadwit@gmail.com - thank you


Links Talked about herein!

The Dark end of the mall - The Truth Podcast

John Yorke Into the woods – a five act journey into story

That's no moon 

Hitchikers Guide To The Galaxy

Audible commissioned UCL survey info

Sherlock Holmes

What is a beat?

The Automatics by Lindsay!

Give me away

Wireless DEAD LONDON


Talking points written by Lindsay Harris Friel. 

Edited by Sarah Golding.

Music by Vince Friel.


HAPPY WRITING!

Get the scoop on audio drama news, opportunities, creative resources and more with The Fiction Podcast Weekly newsletter. For more info, visit The Podcast Host's Fiction Podcast Weekly


Want to get in touch? You can send us a text message with the link at the top, email us at writersadwit@gmail.com, join our Discord server, or visit our website at adwit.org.

Share the love. Please write a review on Podchaser or on Apple Podcasts.

Thank you!

Sarah and Lindsay


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Mastering Character Dialogue: Beyond the Words

Mastering Character Dialogue: Beyond the Words

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