I’m going nuts here guys. Please excuse me while I rant…I’m having a moment. After reading a shitzy load of short stories, I felt compelled to speak out. Have you ever read a story and loose track of who’s talking? This happens when there are no dialogue tags or improper paragraphing. The readers can’t tell what’s going on. They become lost.

I’m mean seriously! Everybody knows that when a new speaker speaks they get a new paragraph, right? The same goes for a new character's “action”. When a new character “acts” they're supposed to get a new paragraph.


Something else to keep in mind: Dialogue is an “action”
Do not put two character's dialogue in the same paragraph because you don't mix two characters' actions! The readers will loose track of who’s talking/ who’s doing what!!! It’s is quite irritating and can be resolved so easily.


That being said….
One character's dialogue belongs in the same paragraph with their actions because when that character speaks, that one character is still acting! I need a drink!!

Here’s an example:

WRONG:
“How are things going?” Mark asked Charles and Charles leaned his head back and sighed. “That well huh?” Mark kicked his feet up on the corner of his desk. “I’m exhausted.” “Having Greta around will be a relief. That woman never sleeps. Besides, she’s reliable and knows my business inside and out. Who better to help you?” ---- [Two characters acting in the same paragraph is a no-no and this whole ‘thingy’ is reckless abandoned dialogue!]


RIGHT:
“How are things going?” Mark asked Charles. (We know who Mark is talking to)

Charles leaned his head back and sighed. (Charles’s reaction)

“That well huh?” Mark kicked his feet up on the corner of his desk. (Mark’s reply and ACTION)

“I’m exhausted.” (This is considered “Abandoned Dialogue because there’s no tag but it works in this context…see next line)

“Having Greta around will be a relief. That woman never sleeps. Besides, she’s reliable and knows my business inside and out. Who better to help you?” (Once you link a character's dialogue to their corresponding actions, you no longer need the dialogue tags.)


                                   *****


I don’t make this crap up folks! You're supposed to separate the characters from each other & connect their dialogue to their actions.

According to Strunk & White's Elements of Style:
"In dialogue, each speech, even if only a single word, is a paragraph by itself; that is, a new paragraph begins with each change of speaker."

The key phrase here is "Change of Speaker"
If the speaker is acting, his actions belong in the same paragraph with his dialogue because the speaker has not changed!!!


Which also means:
Every time a new character acts, you are changing speakers - even if they don't talk! Therefore, each new character gets a new paragraph whether or not they have dialogue.

A Quick Example:
“Charles, go home.” Sydney urged. (Sydney's Action)

Sydney's voice brought Charles out of his daze. (Charles's Reaction)

The bartender sat another drink in front of him and motioned to the lady at the end of the bar. “The lady’s compliments.” (New Character comes in the scene...gets his own paragraph)


                                        *****

For the love of God:
Don't put two characters acting in the same paragraph, and leave that character's dialogue attached to their actions! As a result, leaving the dialogue attached to each character’s actions, removes the need for dialogue tags such as "said". But that’s a whole other subject.


Now I’m off to find that drink. Smooches!!