Addressing Dialogue

[Knave]

Whats you're approach to it? Do you approach it pre-planned knowing exactly where it is going, or do you let the ideas of two characters converse? This is not just a question of the overall method, but also how you created your best lines?

[Christoph]

I often take an approach that combines those two methods. More often than not, I'll know WHAT needs to be said in a scene, more or less (or what content needs to move across the page), but not how it'll be said. I try to let it flow naturally without getting bogged down. People don't want "realistic" dialogue when they read. They want interesting dialogue that gives a believable illusion of realism.

As for how I come up with my best lines: I usually daydream and imagine various situations and exchanges, and when I think of something really awesome, I'll tuck it away somewhere and try to find or engineer a time or place to use it.