Write charming dialog?

[ScriptNurse]

You write the dialogue ... just make sure it's easy to say ... try saying it out loud yourself at about half the speed it would be spoken normally ... you'll quickly see what works and what doesn't. Mostly, you indicate that he's a suave character and the dialogue follows naturally and if necessary, insert a parenthetical (suavely) with the first dialogue. I think the reader will get it.

[horrorwriter]

Well, I suppose I'm really looking for both: WHAT he says and HOW he says it.. I was thinking romantic comedies might give me some ideas but unfortunately I haven't seen a good one of those in a very long time... Could you possibly give me an example of how someone would say something "suavely"? I seem to be doing alright with other types of dialog but this one seems to be evading me...

[ScriptNurse]

I think you're describing "suave," not charming. It's not so much WHAT he says, but the manner in which he carries himself that makes the big difference. "Charming" seems to me to be more about what is being said and how it's delivered.

[uncle_al]

When it comes to "charming", romantic comedies have the edge for dialog.  (In my opinion, of course.)

Most movies with George Sanders, many with Claude Rains, and Sydney Greenstreet or Peter Lorre.  (The supporting characters got a lot of the good lines.)

Al B.

[sharry]

i believe that you should write simple clean dialogues... they should be simple but in some way sarcastic and rude.... there is one thing know as bitter sweet symphony.... it should sound bitter and sweet at the same time but should intentionally mean bitter....probably thats how i would have done it!

hope that helped you out! best of luck!

[horrorwriter]

Hi Everyone,

I have a character in one of my screenplays that is supposed to be very charming. He's trying to win over a girl but underneath it all he is very evil. Unfortunately I am having some trouble writing this because it is difficult to write charming yet realistic dialog. I was wondering if anyone had any advice or solutions that they have come up with for this sort of problem? Also, does anyone have any suggestions for screenplays I could read that I have realistic yet charming dialog?

Thanks!