Spencer Lanoue
Writing dialogue in a story can be one of the most rewarding parts of storytelling, but it can also be a bit tricky. Good dialogue breathes life into characters and helps drive the narrative forward. In this post, I’ll walk you through some practical techniques to craft realistic and engaging dialogue that resonates with your readers.
The Basics of Dialogue: Setting the Scene
Dialogue is more than just characters talking to each other; it's a tool for characterization, plot development, and setting tone. Think about your favorite book. Chances are, the dialogue plays a crucial role in making those characters and their world feel real. But how do you get there?
Characters Speak Differently
Every character has a unique voice, and your job is to capture that in their dialogue. Consider their background, education, and personality. A teenager from a small town will speak differently than an educated lawyer from the city. Keep these distinctions clear to help readers differentiate between characters.
- Character background: What experiences have shaped them?
- Vocabulary: Do they use formal language or slang?
- Tone: Are they sarcastic, sincere, or shy?
For example, a character might say, "I ain't got time for this nonsense," while another might express the same sentiment with, "I'm afraid I don't have the time to entertain this."
Keep It Realistic
While we want dialogue to sound natural, it shouldn’t mirror everyday speech exactly. Real conversations are filled with filler words and can meander without purpose. In writing, however, every line should serve a purpose—whether it's revealing something about a character or moving the plot forward. Avoid the temptation to include every "um" and "uh" that might occur in real life, but don't strip the dialogue of its natural rhythm.
Use Dialogue Tags Sparingly
Dialogue tags like "said" and "asked" are essential, but they can become distracting if overused or if replaced with overly dramatic synonyms like "exclaimed" or "whispered." Use them to clarify who is speaking, but don’t lean on them too heavily to convey emotion—let the dialogue do that. Here’s a quick example:
"I can't believe you did that," she said.
"Why not?" he asked.
"You know why," she snapped.
In the above example, the tags are simple, allowing the dialogue itself to carry the emotion.
Advancing the Plot Through Dialogue
Dialogue can be a powerful tool for advancing your story’s plot. Characters should reveal key information through their conversations, but it must feel natural—not forced.
Reveal Information Gradually
One common mistake new writers make is info-dumping through dialogue. This happens when characters tell each other things they already know solely to inform the reader. Instead, reveal information gradually, keeping the reader curious. Tease out the details in a way that feels organic to the conversation.
Example:
"I heard what happened at the docks," John said, leaning against the bar.
"Yeah, it was something," replied Matt, taking a sip of his drink. "Can't believe the shipment was late again."
Rather than dumping all the details at once, this snippet sets the stage for a deeper conversation about the docks and the shipment.
Create Tension and Conflict
Conflict and tension can make dialogue more engaging. Characters should have goals in conversation, and those goals can often be in opposition. This creates a natural tension that keeps readers invested in the outcome.
Example:
"You're not going to the meeting, are you?" Sarah asked, crossing her arms.
"Of course I am," Tom replied, not meeting her gaze.
"I thought we agreed—"
"You agreed, Sarah. Not me."
The tension is palpable here, making readers want to know what happens next.
Crafting Subtext in Dialogue
Subtext is the unspoken element in dialogue, where what’s not said is just as important as what is. It adds depth and complexity to conversations.
Reading Between the Lines
Characters don’t always say what they mean, and readers love to read between the lines. Use subtext to convey emotions or intentions without stating them outright.
Example:
"Nice to see you again," she said, forcing a smile.
"Likewise," he replied, checking his watch.
Here, the subtext hints at tension or discomfort between the characters without explicitly stating it.
Show, Don’t Tell
Instead of telling the reader how a character feels, use their actions and words to show it. This technique makes the dialogue more engaging and allows readers to draw their conclusions.
Example:
"Do you want to talk about it?" she asked, her voice soft.
He shrugged, staring out the window. "There's nothing to talk about."
His body language and choice of words reveal more than a direct statement about his feelings could.
Balancing Dialogue and Narrative
While dialogue is essential, it shouldn’t overshadow the narrative. Balancing these elements keeps your story dynamic and engaging.
Pacing Your Dialogue
Dialogue can quicken the pace of your story, but too much can feel overwhelming. Mix dialogue with narrative to maintain a comfortable pace. Use narrative to describe the setting, characters’ actions, or their internal thoughts, giving readers a complete picture.
Example:
"Are you coming or not?" Lisa asked, already halfway down the path.
Paul hesitated, glancing back at the cabin. Memories of last summer flashed through his mind, but he shook them off and hurried to catch up.
This blend of dialogue and narrative keeps the story moving while providing context.
Avoiding Over-Exposition
Exposition through dialogue can bog down your story. Instead, weave in necessary background information gradually. Consider what your characters would naturally discuss and what they’d leave unsaid.
Example:
"Remember when we used to come here as kids?" she said, kicking the sand.
"Yeah, those were the days," he replied, a hint of nostalgia in his eyes.
This reveals a shared history without over-explaining.
Giving Each Character a Unique Voice
A unique voice for each character helps readers distinguish between them and adds depth to your story.
Dialects and Accents
Using dialects or accents can add authenticity, but use them sparingly. A few words or phrases can evoke a sense of place without becoming distracting or difficult to read.
Example:
"Aye, it's a bonny day," he said with a grin.
Here, the Scottish dialect adds flavor without overwhelming the reader.
Speech Patterns
Consider how each character speaks—fast or slow, formally or casually. These patterns can reflect their personality and background.
Example:
"I do believe we have an agreement," she said, choosing her words carefully.
"Sure thing, boss," he replied, with a lazy drawl.
Their distinct speech patterns help convey their characters' differences.
Dialogue Formatting Essentials
Formatting dialogue correctly enhances readability and helps your story flow.
Basic Formatting Rules
- Use quotation marks to indicate dialogue.
- Start a new paragraph each time the speaker changes.
- Place punctuation inside the quotation marks.
Example:
"Where are you going?" she asked.
"Just out for a walk," he replied.
Dialogue Tags and Action Beats
Dialogue tags clarify who is speaking, while action beats can convey emotion or action.
Example with action beat:
"I'm not sure," he said, scratching his head.
Here, the action beat adds a layer of meaning to the dialogue.
Avoiding Common Dialogue Pitfalls
Let’s look at some common dialogue pitfalls and how to avoid them.
Stiff or Forced Dialogue
Dialogue should flow naturally. If it feels stiff, try reading it aloud or imagining the conversation in a real-world setting.
Example of stiff dialogue:
"I am not sure if I can do that," she said.
More natural:
"I'm not sure I can do that," she said.
Overusing Names
In real life, people rarely use each other's names as often as characters sometimes do in books. Use names sparingly to avoid awkwardness.
Example:
"John, can you pass the salt, John?" she asked.
More natural:
"Can you pass the salt?" she asked.
Using Dialogue to Build Character
Dialogue is a powerful tool for character development. It reveals personality, motivations, and relationships.
Showing Growth Through Dialogue
Characters should evolve over the course of the story, and their dialogue can reflect this growth.
Example of character growth:
Early in the story:
"I can't do this," she said, her voice trembling.
Later in the story:
"I've got this," she said, with newfound confidence.
Building Relationships
Dialogue can also show the dynamics between characters. Whether it’s a budding romance or a heated rivalry, the way characters speak to each other is telling.
Example of relationship building:
"You always know how to make me laugh," he said, smiling at her.
"That's because you're easy to please," she replied with a wink.
Final Thoughts
Writing dialogue in a story is both an art and a craft, requiring attention to character, plot, and style. With practice, you can create conversations that are dynamic, reveal character, and drive your story forward. If you're looking for a way to refine your writing process, consider using Spell to help outline plots, generate scenes or dialogue, and revise drafts—helping you move from idea to finished piece faster.
