Knowledge Base
Find Answers to Your Self-Publishing Questions: Search Our Knowledge Base and Master the Terminology
Starting
Introduction To Childrens Book Publishing
Creating The Ideal Writing Environment For Childrens Book Authors
The Importance Of Crafting An Effective Book Summary
Brainstorming And Conceptualizing Ideas For Your Childrens Book
Planning
How To Plan And Choose The Right Genre For Your Book
How To Conduct A Competitive Analysis For Your Book
Ideal Word Count For Illustrated Books Based On Age And Book Type
How To Define The Time Setting For Your Story
How To Write A Captivating Book Blurb For Childrens Books
How To Plan Your Story Using Flow
How To Plan The Plot Climax Or High Point Of Your Story
Understanding The Differences Between Fiction And Nonfiction
How To Enter The Author Name For Your Book
How To Plan Where Your Story Begins
How To Plan The Ending Or Resolution Of Your Story
How To Choose The Right Book Type For Your Story
How To Plan The Theme Of Your Book
How To Plan Your Narrative Pointofview Pov
How To Plan Distribution Options For Your Selfpublished Book
Setting Your Title And Author Name Before Applying For Copyright
How To Develop Engaging Characters For Your Book
How To Plan The Plot And Key Conflict Of Your Story
Should You Establish Your Own Publishing Company
How To Write An Impressive Author Bio For Your Book
Understanding Book Types Formats And Sizes In Childrens Publishing
Typography And Text Design In Illustrated Books Best Practices
Structuring Your Childrens Book Plot Climax And Falling Action
Your Childrens Book Tone Theme And Point Of View
How To Define The Place And Setting For Your Story
Writing
How To Plan Page Turns With Spread Breaks In Made Live
Crafting A Compelling Plot In Childrens Books
How To Add Tags To Your Manuscript In Made Live
The Milestone Of Completing Your First Draft
Overcoming Writers Block In Childrens Book
How To Selfedit Dialogue In Your Book
How To Plan The Language And Tone For Your Book
Effective Techniques For Childrens Books
Registrations
How To Set Up And Modify Your Copyright Information In Made Live
How To Enter Your Isbn In The Section
How To Secure An Isbn For Your Book A Global Guide
How To Officially File For Copyright Protection As An Author
Designing
How To Delete Extra Spreads To Avoid Blank Pages In Your Book
Adding A Dedication Or Acknowledgements To Your Book
How To Set Up And Select Color Choices For Your Book In Made Live
Basics Of Book Illustration Style And Color In Childrens Books
Revising Your Books Design And Layout For Optimal Flow
How To Add Your Barcode To The Back Cover
How To Design A Book Cover For Your Book
How To Modify Text Blocks In The Storyboard Workspace
How To Insert Copyright Information Into The Storyboard
How To Generate Or Import Placeholder Images In The Storyboard Workspace
How To Transfer Your Manuscript To The Storyboard
How To Import Final Illustrations For Your Illustrated Book
How To Design The Back Cover Of Your Book
How To Check Your Storyboard And Design For Continuity
How To Create A Title Page For Your Illustrated Book
Creating A Physical Book Dummy For Your Illustrated Book
How To Use Visual Storytelling In Your Illustrated Book
How To Add Back Matter To Your Illustrated Book
Choosing The Right Fonts For Your Book
How To Create Effective Pacing In Your Illustrated Book
How To Check The Visual Appeal Of Your Book For The Target Audience
Prioritizing Accessibility In Childrens Book Design
Selfediting Your Book Layout Fitting The Story To The Format
How To Find And Hire A Professional Illustrator For Your Book
Choosing The Right Illustration Style For Your Childrens Book
Editing
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Story Structure
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Theme
How To Edit With A Final Read Aloud Before Sending To An Editor
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Your Audience
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Vocabulary
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Illustrations
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Redundancy
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Clarity
How To Selfedit And Proofread For Grammar Punctuation And Spelling
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Pacing
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Consistency
How To Selfedit For Flow By Reading Your Manuscript Aloud
How To Selfedit For Punctuation In Dialogue
How To Provide Clear Illustration Notes For Your Illustrator
How To Selfedit For Filler Words
Self Tips And Techniques For Aspiring Authors
How To Review The Cover Design For Your Illustrated Book
Steps To Finalizing Your Manuscript For Childrens Book Publication
How To Find And Hire A Professional Editor For Your Illustrated Book
How To Get Feedback On Your Manuscript
Publishing
Choosing The Perfect Title For Your Childrens Book
Preparing For International Distribution Language Translations And Multiple Formats
Going Global Preparing Your Childrens Book For International Distribution
Understanding Isbn Pcn And Pcip For Childrens Book
Navigating Legal Aspects Of Copyright And Infringement In Childrens Book
Navigating Contracts And Rights For Childrens Books
Navigating Self Vs Traditional In Childrens Books
Marketing
Building An Author Brand And Online Presence
Navigating Book Reviews And Publicity For Childrens Books
Connecting With Key Players Engaging With Schools Libraries And Bookstores
Mastering Book Launches And Promotional Events For Childrens Books
Maximizing Your Reach Utilizing Social Media And Online Platforms For Childrens Books
Mastering Effective Strategies For Childrens Books
Community
Joining Writing And Publishing Communities For Childrens Book Creators
Enhancing Skills With Workshops Webinars And Learning Opportunities In Childrens Book Publishing
Maximizing Your Publishing Success With Made Live Resources And Support
Building Connections Networking With Other Childrens Book Authors
Business
Navigating Literary Agents And Query Letters For Childrens Books
Advanced Marketing Techniques And Analytics For Childrens Picture Books
Leveraging Technology In Childrens Book Publishing
Staying Ahead Keeping Up With Industry Trends And Changes In Childrens Book Publishing
Embracing Diversity Exploring Diverse Themes And Representation In Childrens Books
Mastering The Query Process In Childrens Book Publishing
How to Self-Edit Dialogue in Your Book
How to Self-Edit Dialogue in Your Book
Dialogue is a powerful tool in storytelling. It can bring characters to life, reveal critical information, and move the story forward in ways that narration alone cannot. However, writing great dialogue can be tricky, and self-editing it can be even more challenging. To ensure your dialogue is both effective and engaging, here are some key aspects to focus on when reviewing conversations in your manuscript.
Make It Realistic for the Character's Age
When editing dialogue, consider the age of your characters. Children, teens, and adults all speak differently, and their dialogue should reflect their unique voices. Ask yourself:
- Does this sound like something someone of this age would say?
- Is the vocabulary appropriate for the character’s age?
For younger characters, keep the language simple and direct. Teenagers might use more casual slang or fragmented sentences, while adults might speak with more complexity and nuance. Be mindful of these distinctions, as they help ground your characters in realism.
Dialogue Should Move the Story Forward
Good dialogue does more than fill space on the page—it serves a purpose. When editing, make sure each line of dialogue advances the plot or reveals something important about the character. Here are some questions to ask as you edit:
- Does this conversation move the story forward?
- Does it reveal important information about the characters, their relationships, or the world they inhabit?
- Is this dialogue necessary?
Cut anything that doesn’t serve a clear function. If the dialogue feels like filler, either revise it to have more impact or consider removing it altogether.
Ensure Dialogue Is Fun to Read Aloud
One of the best ways to check the quality of your dialogue is to read it aloud. If it sounds natural and flows smoothly, you’re on the right track. If it feels awkward, forced, or clunky when spoken, you might need to rework it. When editing, pay attention to:
- The rhythm and flow of the dialogue.
- Whether it feels natural and easy to say out loud.
- How it fits within the overall pacing of the scene.
Reading aloud helps you hear the words as your audience will, making it easier to identify areas that need polishing.
Avoid Overusing Dialogue Tags
Dialogue tags, like “said,” “replied,” or “asked,” are necessary, but overusing them can make your writing feel repetitive or slow. Try these alternatives to avoid bogging down your conversations:
Use action beats: Instead of always relying on tags, break up dialogue with actions or expressions that show what the character is doing or feeling.
For example, instead of:
“I don’t know,” she said nervously.
Try:
“I don’t know.” She twisted her fingers in her lap.- Let context speak: If it’s clear who is speaking, you can often omit the dialogue tag altogether.
Keep Dialogue Concise
In real conversations, people rarely speak in long, drawn-out monologues. The same should apply to your characters. Aim for concise, impactful lines that get to the point without unnecessary rambling. Ask yourself:
- Can this line be shorter while still getting the message across?
- Does this dialogue stay true to the character’s voice?
Use Dialogue to Develop Character
Dialogue is one of the most direct ways to show who your characters are. Their word choices, tone, and speech patterns reveal personality traits, emotions, and motivations. When editing, think about:
- Does this dialogue reflect the character’s personality?
- Are their speech patterns consistent with who they are?
- How does this dialogue reveal something new about the character?