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Dialogue Writing Level 1: 3-Week Intensive (Online)

Build the craft of writing lifelike, impactful dialogue through this intensive online course. Learn to write dialogue that resonates with readers, whether you're working on fiction, nonfiction, or scripts. Discover the techniques behind creating dialogue that brings your characters to life and propels your story forward.

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  • 18 and older
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Express Checkout – $210

Access anytime: Feb 2, 2027 to Feb 23, 2027


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Start Dates (1) $210/person

  • Includes $25 Reg Fee
    Class accessible anytime within the session dates
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Class Description

Description

Dialogue is an Intensive workshop format, meaning instruction is condensed into a brief time span: a single day in New York City, two consecutive days on Zoom, or three weeks for the online version. This course welcomes writers of all experience levels. A comprehensive syllabus is available for review below.

Consider the memorable line from the film adaptation of Gone With the Wind, when Rhett tells Scarlett, "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn" (a line that differs from the novel version). This is an outstanding example of dialogue, and you should absolutely care deeply about the dialogue in your own writing. Dialogue forms the backbone of every narrative. Poorly written dialogue undermines a story like a breach in a ship's hull, whereas compelling dialogue allows a narrative to flow with grace and momentum.

Writing authentic dialogue is challenging work. Throughout this course, you'll develop the ability to craft dialogue that sounds genuine and natural while being meticulously constructed so that each line reinforces characterization and carries significant meaning.

Whether your work includes fiction, nonfiction, or screenplay formats, we'll teach you to craft dialogue that delivers maximum impact.

This intensive course provides comprehensive instruction on crafting compelling dialogue across multiple genres and mediums. Program components:

  • Intensive lectures on dialogue theory and application
  • Focused writing exercises and assignments

Online Course Format

  • Week 1: The Art and Construction of Dialogue. Dialogue function and purpose; creating a sense of authenticity; crafting the illusion of natural speech; managing stage directions; specific technical considerations for prose versus screenplay formats
  • Week 2: Character Voice and Motivation. Expressing character through dialogue; how character and circumstance shape speech patterns; desire and conflict as dialogue drivers; tactical communication approaches
  • Week 3: Subtext and Advanced Techniques. The concept and application of subtext; handling exposition through dialogue; employing stylized dialogue and distinctive language patterns; managing dialect and vernacular; delivering extended speeches

Important Note: Course content may vary by instructor and term.

About This Online Program

  • Online classes bring together writers from around the world to study with Gotham faculty, representing New York City's premier writing instruction
  • Online classes operate asynchronously, allowing participation at any time, while maintaining weekly course progression with specific weekly requirements
  • You can participate from any location worldwide with internet access; while most students are U.S.-based, we welcome participants from practically every nation
  • Professional technical support is provided
  • Beyond the scheduling and location flexibility, you'll maintain a complete record of all course materials for download and future reference (materials include text and images, not video)

Refund Policy

All Classes (except One-day and Zoom Intensives and Write-Ins):

  • For a refund or credit, contact us three business days or more before your class starts. You can either choose to hold a full credit with us good for one year on other Gotham classes OR you can opt for a refund less a $25 administrative fee and your $25 registration fee ($50 total).
  • If you need to withdraw after your class has started (or two business days before it starts), you won’t receive a refund, but you’re welcome to a Gotham credit less the price of Week 1 and your $25 registration fee, but we need to hear from you three business days or more before Week 2 meets for that to happen. After that point, no credits are available.

One-day and Zoom Intensives:

  • You may reschedule a One-day or Zoom Intensive one time, if you notify us two business days before the class begins. After that first reschedule, there is a $25 rescheduling fee.
  • If you notify us three business days or more before your class begins, rescheduling is free. If you notify us less than three business days before your class begins, there is a $25 rescheduling fee. If you don’t notify us until after your class begins, we cannot reschedule you.
  • You may get a refund (minus a $50 fee) if you notify us three business days or more before your class begins.

Write-Ins:

  • If you withdraw 1 business day or more before it begins, you’re welcome to a full credit good for one year toward another Write-In. No refunds are available.
  • If you simply don’t show up and don’t notify us in advance, you forfeit your money.

A few more things:

  • Credits are valid for one year and cannot be changed into refunds down the road.
  • Simply not attending class or notifying the instructor does not mean you've officially withdrawn.
  • Some exceptions are made on a case-by-case basis for medical emergencies with a doctor's note.
  • Refunds take up to six weeks to process.

Please understand, we can't issue a refund after classes have started, even if you miss your first class. Similarly, we can't offer you a credit one day before your second class or after that. We understand that other obligations get in the way of attending class, but these policies allow us to get other interested writers into class early enough to have a good experience, and this allows us to offer our classes at a reasonable price.

Important Notes:

  • Students are allowed to join a class in the second week.
  • Only those who pay the tuition in full can be guaranteed a place in class.
  • Class dates and times may be subject to change. A substitute may be assigned or make-up classes added to the end of the term.
  • Auditing and the recording of classes are not allowed.
  • For all classes, students receive a record of payment and registration.
  • Gotham reserves the right to remove any student at our discretion.
  • Gotham does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, disability, socioeconomic status, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, age, or marital status.
  • Our courses are not intended to provide instruction that will result in the student's acquisition of occupational skills.

In any event where a customer wants to cancel their enrollment and is eligible for a full refund, a 5% processing fee will be deducted from the refund amount.

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Gotham Writers Workshop

Gotham Writers Workshop is a creative writing school in New York City and online that has been teaching students since 1993. They offer classes for both new and experienced writers, focusing on writing craft and providing a safe and structured environment for improvement.

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