Dialogue in Picture Books: An Editor’s Perspective
Hello, writers! Dialogue is a powerful tool in picture books, bringing characters to life and advancing the plot. Here are some tips from an editor’s perspective on creating engaging dialogue for your picture book.
Keep it Natural – Aim for dialogue that sounds natural and authentic. Listen to how children speak and try to capture that essence in your characters’ conversations. Keep the vocabulary authentic to the age of your hero.
But Not too Natural – No need for “ums,” “uhs,” filler words, excess verbiage, accidental repetition, or throat clearing. Think in terms of heightened reality, and keep it as lean as possible.
Use Dialogue to Reveal Character – Dialogue can reveal your characters’ personalities, emotions, and motivations. Each character should have a distinct voice that reflects who they are – their background, experience, sense of humor, point of view, and more. That said, be careful to avoid stereotypes, colloquialisms, or anything that might date or pigeonhole your story in an unintended way.
Balance Dialogue with Action – Blend dialogue with action to create a dynamic narrative. Show what your characters are doing as they speak to enhance the visual storytelling aspect of your picture book.
Use Dialogue to Advance the Plot – Every line of dialogue should serve a purpose. Use it to move the plot forward, reveal important information, or create tension. Avoid filler dialogue that doesn’t contribute to the story.
Keep it Short and Sweet – Picture book dialogue should be concise and to the point. Young readers have short attention spans, so make every word count. Avoid lengthy exchanges that can slow down the pace. One to three lines of dialogue per character, per exchange, is a good estimate to aim for.
Use Tags Sparingly – Dialogue tags that use verbs of speech (“said,” “asked,” “replied”) are best. When the context is clear, you can omit tags or use action beats to indicate who is speaking. Avoid inventive alternatives to verbs of speech that are grammatically incorrect, such as “she smiled.” (You can’t “smile” a sentence!)
Capture the Rhythm of Speech – Pay attention to the rhythm and cadence of your dialogue. Vary the length and structure of sentences to create a natural flow. Reading your dialogue aloud can help you hear the rhythm.
Consider the Subtext – On-the-nose dialogue states the obvious… but sometimes can bely what’s actually going on. Aim for subtext and let your characters’ actions and expressions convey meaning beyond their words. Remember that illustrations can be helpful here as well.
By crafting engaging dialogue, you can bring your characters to life and create a more immersive and dynamic picture book. Happy writing!
