If you’re a writer, you most likely fall into one of two camps: Either you excel at writing dialogue, or you’re a master of creative descriptions.

Is one aspect of writing more important than the other? Let’s find out!

Why Dialogue Skills Matter

Dialogue in the written word includes the conversations characters have with one another, as well as the characters’ thoughts. Crafting well-written dialogue is a necessary skill for creative writers, because:

• Dialogue allows readers to learn more about a character’s goals, fears, and misbeliefs through the way they speak.
• Dialogue can advance the plot by introducing new information in the form of plot points, important revelations, and new characters. It can also be used to create tension between characters.
• If done well, dialogue can make the story seem more realistic.

Why Description Skills Matter

Descriptions in the written word focus on creating vivid imagery of the story’s setting and characters for the reader through the use of descriptive language. Crafting well-written descriptions is a necessary skill for creative writers, because:

• Descriptions are the foundation of creative world-building. Without them, readers will experience white room syndrome while reading.
• Descriptions appeal to the five senses, which, if done well, can better immerse readers into the story.
• Descriptive prose allows writers to use symbolism in a way that adds more meaning to the story.

So, which is More Important?

The thing is, neither dialogue nor description skills are more important than the other! In fact, the two skills work must work hand in hand to create a well-written story.

Without descriptions in our writing, a story would just be pages upon pages of characters talking to one another. Readers wouldn’t know what anything looks like unless its revealed through the characters’ conversations. Like conversations with that chatterbox acquaintance we try to hide from at the grocery store, pages upon pages of dialogue will get old after a while and readers will crave breaks from the monotony.

Without dialogue in our writing, a story would just be thick paragraphs of prose. Readers would have a more difficult time in figuring out the relationships between characters unless body language or the tone of conversations are described, and at that point, the writing is relying too much on telling the story rather than showing readers what is going on. Like watching a film that just pans the camera around to different locations and scenery for the first 10 minutes without introducing the characters’ hopes, fears, and misbeliefs, readers will grow bored and move on to something more engaging.

So, whether you excel at writing dialogue or are a master at creating rich descriptions, don’t become so complacent in one writing skill that you discount the other. Instead, dialogue and descriptions should be considered as two halves to a whole story.

If we stink at one of the two, the best things to do to remedy that are reading good books that highlight the skill and practice honing that skill on our own. By acknowledging our weaknesses as writers, and taking action to develop those weaknesses into strengths, we’ll become better writers and excel at writing both dialogue and descriptions.

Talk to Me, Arrowheads!

Are you more comfortable at writing dialogue or descriptions? Even though I’m shy and can’t hold a conversation to save my life IRL, I feel that I’m better at writing dialogue than descriptions.

Aim high, stay strong, and always hit your mark.

-Allyson 😀