Addresses Quote by Don DeLillo
“In fiction, I tend to write fairly realistic dialogue-not always, and it tends to vary from book to book. But in many books, there is a colloquialism of address. The characters will speak in a quite idiosyncratic way sometimes.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The Paris Review, 1995
Dialogue should reflect realistic speech patterns, varying by character and context.
In simple terms: Dialogue mimics real speech.
Key Takeaway
Write characters with distinct voices.
Themes
writing
dialogue
realism
Mood
analytical
creative
Type
literary
instructional
When to use this quote
- novel writing
- screenwriting
- teaching writing
Key Concepts
literary technique
characterization
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance realism and clarity?
- When should dialogue be stylized?
A Different Perspective
Overly realistic dialogue can distract from narrative flow.
![“There is no such thing as realistic dialogue. If you [simply recorded] the real conversation of any people and played it back from the stage, it would be impossible to listen to. It would be redundant . . . . The good dialogue writer is the one who can give you the impression of real speech.” quote by Joseph L. Mankiewicz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ab6/joseph-l-mankiewicz-29724_communication_there-is-no-such-thing-as-realistic-dial_1192941.jpg)
![“They [my characters]speak to me all the time! In fact some of them never shut up!” quote by Michael Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/dda/michael-scott-1216_character_they-my-characters-speak-to-me-all-the-t_1311904.jpg)
![“[T]he appropriate form of address between man and man ought to be, not monsieur, sir, but fellow sufferer, compagnon de miseres.” quote by Arthur Schopenhauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/be6/arthur-schopenhauer-226_addresses_t-he-appropriate-form-of-address-between_32897.jpg)
