(By Marcy Kennedy, intro by Kristen Lamb)
Writing a stand-out novel involves a lot of individual pieces working together in perfect concert. If there’s no solid plot? Readers get confused, lost or bored. If the plot is great, but the characters are all one-dimensional paper dolls? No one cares. If we butcher grammar, spelling and formatting? It’s a formula for dismal sales or even a long line of one-star reviews from ticked off readers.
Hey, the world may think writing fiction is easy, but we all know differently ;).
One of the best ways to move plot forward with increasing momentum and to create living, breathing characters is by harnessing the power of dialogue. As an editor for twelve years, I can tell you dialogue is one of the single largest components of writing great fiction, and it’s the part that’s most often butchered. The story can be great, the setting, the prose?
(click on the image to read on)
Thomas Rydder 
Most of the time, the problem is with the relationship and not necessarily with you.
Think in the shoes of the guy, how will he have the courage
to talk to you, when you appear cold. You don’t want to dress in an overly
provocative way.