She Said WHAT?: Character Voices and Dialogue

Instructor Jessica Litwak says, “I started out my working life as an actor, so I write and teach writing from the inside, embodying story with passion and joy, through the specificity of voice. I work to inspire my students towards the freedom of creating strong and clear expression, particularly through dialogue.”

In this two-session remote workshop, we will look at dialogue from books, plays, and screenplays, discussing what works, how it is effective and evocative, or how it falls short. Lively dialogue writing exercises will focus on embedded exposition, character voice (going deep into accent, tone, impediment, range, rhythm), and expressing the arc of a story and the shift in a character’s life through dialogue. We will also develop monologues, both inner (reflective voice) and outer (spoken to another character or to the reader).

In between the two class meetings, writers will have specific assignments and the opportunity to connect with the instructor and with other members of the workshop. During class, all students will receive specific and supportive feedback from the instructor and will engage with each other in an atmosphere of creative support.

Jessica says, “Everyone will leave the workshop with new tools, a body of dialogue generated during class, and goals for next steps in writing dialogue and building character.”

About The Writing Salon's Remote Classes

Due to concerns about the spread of COVID-19, The Writing Salon is running all classes in a remote learning format. You will be able to participate in live class meetings via Zoom videoconference. To attend classes, you'll need a phone, tablet or computer and access to the internet. You can participate in the class from wherever you'd like, whether on your living room couch or in your office. Before your class meets, you'll receive an email from The Writing Salon with more information about Zoom and your remote class. If you have any questions about remote learning, please don't hesitate to reach out to us at hello@writingsalons.com.