@laurenmackeditor: Have you ever read a conversation in a book that revealed SO much to you, even though the characters never actually said how they felt? That’s called subtext. One of the biggest mistakes I see in manuscripts is dialogue that does all the work for the reader. Characters explain their emotions, announce their intentions, and answer every question directly. This makes conversations feel super flat, even if the things they’re saying are well written. Instead, trust your reader. Let your characters dodge the question. Let them realise their tea has gone cold, instead of having them admit they zoned out. Let pauses, body language, and observations do the heavy lifting. It makes conversations feel so much more real and authentic. I hope this is helpful! #BookTok #bookeditor #indieauthorsoftiktok #bookish #writingtips
Lauren Mack | Fiction Editor
Region: GB
Tuesday 28 July 2026 00:20:52 GMT
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Yvaine_EveningStarz_⦻ :
hello! I was just wondering, Should I put a translated version of a text if it's in a different language from the one that I'm using in the book? like:
"Bakit ka nag sasalita ng ganyan sa akin? "
("Why are you talking to me like that? ")
2026-08-09 02:36:53
3
Lazy_Hazy :
I am quite over detailed but also dry and It's not a satisfying experience. so thanks for the advice I guess
2026-08-09 14:09:59
0
. :
I also hate it when you can't tell who's talking if the writer did the dialogue in whole paragraphs.
2026-08-08 20:15:39
1
𝒪𝒸𝓉𝑜𝒷𝑒𝓇 𝒜𝓃𝓃𝑒 :
Is this good or does it need more editing 🥲(it’s a dystopian)
2026-08-08 13:12:09
111
Harriyeti :
She came hesitantly into the kitchen. He was sat at the table, staring despondently in to his coffee. “Are you okay?”
He didn’t look up. “I’m fine.”
“You don’t seem it.” She moved closer. “You know you can talk to me, don’t you?”
He paused for so long she thought he may not have heard her. Then, “I know,” he said and scraped back his chair.
She watched helplessly as he walked out of the door without meeting her eye once, the untouched coffee growing cold where he’d left it.
2026-07-28 11:31:28
215
Alva :
This is making me feel like my dialogue is way too long and overly-detailed xdd
2026-08-08 08:19:51
205
.schella :
It's a completely different dialogue with an almost different meaning...
it would make sense to do this with the exact same Dialogue
2026-07-28 09:36:02
495
venus :
thank you I love you
2026-08-08 16:07:45
0
Ell 🇯🇲🇵🇱🇬🇧 :
The second has a completely different feeling and tone and implication than the first thought
2026-07-30 00:13:50
92
s.h.lee_ :
Does anyone have tips for how to edit without loosing the flow of the writing? I have a lot of scenes where there's rapid dialogue, and whenever I try anchoring them with more details it feels janky
2026-08-08 21:18:29
2
Clihtorus Rex III :
moral of the story, Show don't tell
2026-07-29 15:50:44
181
☆.。.:*・°☆.。.:*・°☆.。 :
What about dialogue between more than two characters?
2026-08-06 17:20:06
3
· :
i think you dropped this 👑
2026-08-08 21:57:43
1
⚜️•♠•𝓐𝓭𝓮𝓵𝓲𝓷𝓮•♦•⚜️ 🚦४ :
Idk the two characters dynamic, but if the male character is someone who never really admits he cares (as i kinda picked up with the "who says i don't like cold tea?" and the "you're impossible.") , it would be better to not put in the last bit (" i know, and i always will be" ) jusssst yet! (but ofc this is what i picked up with their dynamic, not what the author intends it to be)
i can also see this dialogue being said by siblings
2026-08-06 00:53:52
4
𝓚ᴇɴᴢᴏ 𝓡ʏᴜsᴇɪ ꒰✨꒱ :
i forgot what subtext is ☹️
2026-08-02 13:02:41
2
Beeple🍉 :
I guess the first one is more realistic but the second actually tackles a set story and is entertaining to read
2026-08-04 03:57:07
1
𐂯ᩙ᩠𓏼 𝙼𝚊𝚏𝚒 𓏼ຼ ׁׅ֒ ᩧ꒰ׁׅ🌈 :
i mean honestly, i prefer both as long as the plot is good.
2026-08-03 08:12:55
2
{} ° Syah ° {} :
The fact that i write like the first one :(
2026-08-09 15:18:17
0
Mika :
Wait i lvoe ypu
2026-08-08 17:44:13
0
PASTA SAUCE :
the pain i felt reqding the first ons
2026-08-08 16:04:07
0
N4rcy_llia :
Which is better to use when speaking, " or —
2026-08-09 00:32:31
0
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