Let’s look at some dialogue techniques which we can apply to our scenes.

Section A: Responding to questions.

1. Ignore the question.

Whatever is said, have your next character ignore it and reply with something completely unrelated.

ADAM

Are you going to eat the apple?

EVE

Nice figleaf.

2. Respond with the same question.

ADAM

Are you going to eat the apple?

EVE

Are you going to eat the apple?

3. Respond with an action.

ADAM

Are you going to eat the apple?

Eve can’t believe what Adam is wearing. She turns away, so he can’t see her laughing.

4. Respond with a different question:

ADAM

Are you going to eat the apple?

EVE

Are you going to keep asking the same question?

5. Respond to the question.

ADAM

Are you going to eat the apple?

EVE

I might.

6. Respond to the question and ask the same question:

ADAM

Are you going to eat the apple?

EVE

I might. Are you?

7. Respond with an unrelated statement, then respond in the next line.

ADAM

Are you going to eat the apple?

EVE

Nice figleaf.

ADAM

You like my figleaf?

EVE

I was planning to eat the apple.

Just a few techniques to take control of your dialogue.

Do you have any to share?