INTRODUCTION
Dialogue can make or break your story. When it’s done well, it pulls readers in, reveals character depth, and keeps the pace alive. When it’s clumsy or unnatural, it snaps readers out of the story instantly.
So, how can you write dialogue that feels authentic, engaging, and true to life? Let’s break it down.
1. LISTEN TO REAL CONVERSATIONS
To write realistic dialogue, start by observing how people actually speak.
- Pay attention to word choice, pauses, hesitation, and interruptions.
- Pick up on slang, tone, informal phrases, and rhythm that make voices unique.
- How do they avoid full sentences?
Pro Tip: Record snippets of conversations (with permission) or jot notes during real-life conversations to capture natural rhythm and tone.
2. MATCH DIALOGUE TO THE CHARACTER’S VOICE
Your characters should sound like themselves, not like you. Every character should speak differently. Age, background, and personality influence their vocabulary, sentence length, and tone.
A shy character might speak in shorter sentences, while a confident one may dominate the conversation. Sprinkle in unique phrases or quirks — but don’t overdo it.
Example:
- A professor might say, “That’s an intriguing hypothesis.”
- A teen might say, “That’s pretty wild.”
3. AVOID OVER-EXPLAINING
Long monologues can drag down the pace. In real life, people speak in fragments, not essays. Break up long speeches with action or reaction. Use body language to enhance the moment, i.e.,
“I don’t know,” she said, twisting her ring.
This makes the scene visual and immersive.
Don’t make characters tell each other what they both already know.
❌ Bad: “As you know, John, you’re my brother and we grew up in New York.”
✅ Good: “Remember the winters in Brooklyn?”
4. USE SUBTEXT
Sometimes what’s unsaid is more powerful than what’s said. Real people often hide their true feelings (they usually say one thing but mean another). Use implication and hinting to make scenes more layered.
Instead of characters stating their feelings directly, let readers sense the emotion beneath the words.
“Sure. Go out with him,” she said, forcing a smile.
The tension here lies not in what’s said, but in what’s unsaid.
5. KEEP IT CONCISE
Readers don’t need every “Hello” and “How are you?” unless it adds meaning or builds atmosphere. Instead, jump into the meat of the conversation and keep it relevant.
In real conversations, people rarely give long speeches. Break up monologues into shorter exchanges. This keeps pacing brisk.
6. BREAK UP DIALOGUE WITH ACTION
Don’t stack multiple lines of pure speech. Insert body language, movements, or internal thoughts to keep scenes visual.
Example:
“I don’t want to go.” She twisted the ring on her finger. “Not tonight.”
7. USE INTERRUPTIONS
Real people cut each other off. Use dashes or ellipses to mimic this.
“Wait, I didn’t—”
“You did.”
You can find more examples in these short stories.
8. READ DIALOGUE OUT LOUD
When you read dialogue aloud, you’ll instantly hear if it sounds stiff or unnatural. If it sounds unnatural when spoken, it will also read unnatural.
Reading aloud helps:
- Spot awkward phrasing.
- Catch repetitive sentence patterns.
- Improve rhythm and flow.
9. USE SLANG & GRAMMAR LOOSELY
People don’t always speak in perfect grammar. Drop words, use contractions, and vary sentence structure. Despite this, clarity matters. So, follow proper punctuation and paragraphing rules to avoid any confusion.
Example:
“You’re late,” she said.
“Traffic,” he replied. “You wouldn’t believe the mess.”
10. STUDY DIALOGUE IN BOOKS & FILMS
Pay attention to how great writers craft conversations. Study novels, plays, and screenplays from authors known for great dialogue, like Jane Austen, Elmore Leonard, or Aaron Sorkin.
Copy a scene into your notes and break down why their dialogue works, and apply those techniques to your own writing.
Understand the purpose of dialogue. Before typing a single quotation mark, ask yourself:
- Is this conversation moving the plot forward?
- Does it reveal something about the character?
- Does it build tension or emotion?
If your dialogue doesn’t do at least one of these, it might be filler, and filler is the enemy of great storytelling.
CONCLUSION
Learning how to write believable dialogue involves striking a balance between realism and clarity. Keep your characters’ voices distinct, layer in subtext, and remember: less is often more. The more you listen, observe, and revise, the more your dialogue will feel alive on the page. With practice, your characters’ voices will become so distinct that readers can recognize them without a single dialogue tag.
For more insights on mastering dialogue, check out this MasterClass guide on writing conversations.