Dialog Check List

1- Weed out fluff words.
2- Use dialect sparingly.
3- Keep the reader involved.
4- Use dialog for exposition.
5- Use dialog to change pace.
6- Use scene to promote dialog.
7- Use dialog to illustrate a scene.
8- Use dialog to illustrate attitudes.
9- Paint the atmosphere of another era.
10-Keep it short. Include only essentials.
11-Try to avoid disclaimers within the story.
12-Use "said" in preference to other words.
13-Don't use dialog to preach to the reader.
14-Use dialog and scene to illustrate a mood.
15-Add action to enhance the impact of dialog.
16-Eliminate "said" when the speaker is obvious.
17-Create a sense of place or add descriptive details.
18-Combine dialog with action for emphasis, and reality.
19-Do not use dialog for the single purpose of exposition.
20-Use dialog propel the story forward- -not to carry the story.
21-Use dialog to add life and show character and personality.
22-Provide clues. Allow the reader's imagination to fill in details.
23-Use disclaimers won't provide and the actual words are important.
24-Break up the page- -add white spaces to make the page imposing.
25-Do not use dialog to explain what should be obvious to the other party.