How to Ditch Contrived Dialogue for Good episode artwork

EPISODE · May 15, 2025 · 12 MIN

How to Ditch Contrived Dialogue for Good

from The Storyteller’s Mission with Zena Dell Lowe · host Zena Dell Lowe

Are your characters saying all the right things—but somehow it still feels off?Contrived dialogue is one of the fastest ways to pull your reader or viewer out of the story. Whether you're a novelist or a screenwriter, when your dialogue feels stiff, forced, or unnatural, it kills immersion and weakens emotional impact.The worst part? You might not even realize you're doing it.In this episode, we dive into one of the most overlooked causes of fake-sounding dialogue—and more importantly, how to fix it. You’ll learn a mindset shift and key storytelling tools that will instantly elevate your scenes and bring your characters to life.🎬 If you've ever been told your dialogue doesn’t “feel real,” this is the episode you can’t afford to miss.Seven Deadly Plot Points FREE TRAINING VIDEO!The Storyteller's Mission Podcast is now on YouTube. You can watch your favorite podcast as well as listen. Subscribe to our channel and never miss a new episode or announcement.Send us Fan MailSupport the show

Are your characters saying all the right things—but somehow it still feels off? Contrived dialogue is one of the fastest ways to pull your reader or viewer out of the story. Whether you're a novelist or a screenwriter, when your dialogue feels stiff, forced, or unnatural, it kills immersion and weakens emotional impact. The worst part? You might not even realize you're doing it. In this episode, we dive into one of the most overlooked causes of fake-sounding dialogue—and more importantly, h...

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How to Ditch Contrived Dialogue for Good

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How long is this episode of The Storyteller’s Mission with Zena Dell Lowe?

This episode is 12 minutes long.

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This episode was published on May 15, 2025.

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Are your characters saying all the right things—but somehow it still feels off?Contrived dialogue is one of the fastest ways to pull your reader or viewer out of the story. Whether you're a novelist or a screenwriter, when your dialogue feels stiff,...

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