- a character tries to communicate something important to someone who speaks very little English - several characters argue - and no one ever actually gets to finish a sentence - one character teaches another to do something complex and intricate, but using as few words as possible

-two characters flirt at the drive-thru window -a child tries to describe their complex emotions to an adult -two characters have to say good-bye to each other for good

Scott, there are some great dialogue-focused writing prompts in Eric Heisserer's ebook. Perhaps you know him and can get permission to use them?

-Monologue- Closing arguments of a trial (Prosecutor to jury for a conviction OR or defense attorney to jury for an acquittal) -A policeman notifies a character that a loved one has died -Talking in code (Spies, assassins, murder for hire, etc) -Scene of rejection (Lover to lover, parent to child, employer to potential employee, etc.) -Acceptance speech by a newly elected official -Speech by a king to his subjects -Several characters attend a support group where they must introduce themselves and their addictions. -Character learns he has a terminal illness -Psychopath/Sociopath tries convincing his/her partner in crime to commit murder

Great, folks. Thanks. Let's keep the suggestions coming. It's actually an interesting exercise in and of itself: What DOES make a good writing prompt?

I have a couple questions: 1. Do we leave the prompts and feedback in the comments section? I see a few people have added some prompts there, but I just want to clarify. 2. Can people from any country participate?

Re-reading "submit ten [10] Dialogue-Writing Challenge posts, then provide feedback on ten [10] posts from other writers," I realize I lied and actually have two more questions: 3. Did you want each prompt to be posted separately for a total of ten posts or did you want all ten in a lump sum post as some people have done above? 4. I suspect you want us to respond to ten different posters, as opposed to commenting on all ten prompts by the same poster? Apologies if I'm overcomplicating things here!

I know Eric very well. I'd prefer not to step on the book's 'toes' so if we can generate our own set of prompts, that would be better.

1. Each day, I will post a prompt. Participants can respond in the comments section of that post with their dialogue. If you want to comment on their dialogue, simply hit Reply to their dialogue and post your thoughts. 2. People from any country may participate. Same thing with any of my online classes. Right now, for example, in the Pixar class, writers are from Canada, Australia, France, U.K., and Iceland. 3. Post your dialogue in the comments section of each daily post, whichever ones you want to do. I'll ask you to note: This is Number 3 or Number 6, keep a running total. 4. That would be best: Post feedback on a variety of peoples' dialogue. I'll explain it more thoroughly when the series launches on Feb. 2.

Oh! I didn't realize this was a series of daily posts and comments, I thought we were making prompt suggestions for the 1/19/15 post. I got it all wrong. Thanks for explaining. ...and since I already spent the time typing up ten prompt suggestions before I realized, I guess I might as well list them anyway. 1. Someone with a mental illness attempts to describe what it’s like to have their illness to someone without mental illness. 2. A “conversation” between a pet and its owner, but they don’t speak the same language. For instance, humans talk to animals all the time and we respond to a meow or chirp with what we assume they’re saying, but is what we assume really what they’re saying? Furthermore, are the things they assume we’re saying really the things we’re saying? 3. A child tries to understand the feelings of their first crush by discussing it with their best friend. 4. A female character has had enough of male norm language (“hey guys,” “BROTP,” “freshmen,” “come at me bro,” etc…) and decides to call out another character for using it. 5. An argument with an inanimate object. 6. A person with social anxiety practicing their order at a fast food place before they get to the counter or drive up window. 7. Two people who have been on dates with one another but aren’t yet a couple have a discussion about their relationship deal breakers. 8. A person who always thinks of good comebacks after the fact has to do an impromptu stand-up routine. 9. In the privacy of their own home, a person rages about someone they have become angry at and/or argued with online (message boards, Twitter, Tumblr, gaming, etc…) but have never met in person. 10. A parent explains to their newborn why they are choosing to give them up for adoption.

- Confrontations - Revelations - Philosophical discussions. - Explaining the rules of the world (especially sci-fi). - Accusations, veiled and otherwise. - Betrayal. - Forgiveness

I was thinking of a couple writing prompts that are based off the same lines. They just have to be used within the scene. "You have to go." "That's not for you." "Trust me." "We lost her." "Who's he/she?"

Brilliant idea - I’ll do my best to get involved in this. Some ideas for prompts: - Immediately after receiving horrible personal news, a character has to deal with a demanding customer. - Two characters who’d never normally talk to each other find themselves with the same problem. - A group meeting where one character is significantly more charismatic and assertive than the others, but has terrible ideas. - A character visits a relative they’ve not seen for ages but have nothing in common with. - A character leaves work, not knowing if they’ll be back the next week.

Characters arguing through online chatting.

Great idea! My contribution technically doesn't count as dialog, but I thought it was pretty interesting when I came across it. -- Create a dialog between 2 people using only body language. I look forward to this challenge! Chris F.

I'm excited for another one of these challenges. Here's a few suggestions: Two drivers are waiting for the police after a minor accident. A married couple having their first conversation after a big fight. An insecure boss passive-aggressively reprimands an employee. Two accomplices of a crime reunite in prison. One of them snitched. Two front-line grunts prepare for a huge battle where the odds are against them.

Some really great ideas so far. Here are my loose-cannon concepts. 1. A psychiatrist tries to uncover the truth about a crucial incident in a client's past. 2. An alcoholic has just opened a bottle of his favorite liquor when his alcohol-hating girl friend arrives unannounced. 3. A producer says to a writer, "Tell us why Octopus Films should shoot this script of yours." 4. An impostor unwittingly meets a family member of the person he's impersonating. 5. A man at a party criticizes a painting, not realizing he's talking to the owner and/or the artist and/or the model. 6. A shipwrecked man makes it to a deserted island only to find his worst enemy has also reached it. 7. Five stupid people plan a crime. 8. A cop interrogates Mr. Largini, hoping to learn just one fact about a murderer. 9. A burglar accosted by the home-owner tries to explain why he's in the house. 10. Two travelers compete for the last available room in a hotel.