A good scene has tension and suspense, however subtle.

Dialogue works best when demonstrating the friction between two points of view, or a failure to communicate – the speaker is not being articulate or forthcoming, the listener isn’t listening, they misunderstand each other, or they are so focused on their own agenda that they actually seem to be having two separate conversations.

When characters speak it helps to know where they are – perhaps a diner or a laundromat – and give them something to do while they are carrying on a conversation – this helps to animate them, and to make a scene feel real.

Writing Prompt: Create a scene in a diner or a laundromat, between two people who are failing to communicate, and are unconsciously demonstrating through their actions who they are and what they really mean.