Dialogue

When it comes to dialogue (what your characters are saying), people tend to think it is the easiest part of writing creatively. However, it is probably one of the most difficult elements of writing. No one wants to have to spend extra time reading frivolous dialogue. So, really think if what your characters are saying is important or not. If it isn't important, leave it out.

Likewise, dialogue should move the plot along. Every time someone is saying something, it needs to have some relevance to the plot. If you just put in a random conversation, say about pigs, and it has nothing to do with the rest of the plot, then your reader won't understand why it is there at all. Now, if there is a reason to be talking about pigs, say because someone is vegetarian or they live on a farm, then it would make sense.

Also, dialogue can help characterization move along as well. The way people talk, or the words people say tell a lot about them. Such as, if a person is witty or saractastic, that can easily come through in your dialogue.

Most times people write dialogue that just isn't realistic. In talking, we don't say things like "Do not do that, Johnny." Instead, we say, "Don't do that, Johnny!" The do not is too jolted and would not work when we would be yelling at Johnny to not do something. In most all cases, we use contractions when we talk. In the same fashion, reread what you make people say and see if you could actually see someone saying that. Then, go further and see if that's how your character would actually say that.