If you’ve ever read a story where the characters talk like robots or wax poetic when they should be panicking… you know how much bad dialogue can kill a good story.
Great dialogue doesn’t just sound good—it feels real. It pulls readers in, reveals character, and moves the plot forward without feeling forced. But writing dialogue that sparkles and still feels authentic? Not always easy.
Let’s break it down with some practical Dos and Don’ts to help your dialogue hit just right.
✅ DO: Listen to how people talk
Real-life conversations are messy, emotional, and often filled with quirks. People interrupt, trail off, use contractions, and—let’s be honest—sometimes say the wrong thing.
Tip: Eavesdrop (respectfully!). Watch TV shows or movies with stellar dialogue. Write down snippets that sound natural and analyze why they work.
❌ DON’T: Overload with exposition
If two characters are talking just to dump information the reader needs, it’s going to sound awkward.
Bad:
“As you know, Jenna, ever since Mom died in that tragic car crash six years ago, you’ve had a hard time trusting people.”
Better:
“You always shut people out, Jenna. Ever since Mom… you’ve been different.”
Let the emotion do the heavy lifting.
✅ DO: Use subtext
What’s not being said can be just as powerful as what is.
Example:
A couple fights about dishes. It’s really about feeling unappreciated.
A teen talks about hating school. She’s actually scared of failing.
Readers love uncovering the real meaning beneath the words.
❌ DON’T: Make every character sound the same
Each character should have their own voice—word choice, rhythm, and tone. A snarky teen should sound different from a gruff old warrior or a nervous professor.
Try this:
Read each character’s dialogue aloud without tags. Can you tell who’s talking just by the words and tone?
✅ DO: Use contractions and natural phrasing
Unless your character is intentionally formal (a robot, royal, or old-fashioned type), they probably don’t say “I do not want to go to the store.”
They say, “I don’t wanna go.”
Small tweaks = big difference in flow and believability.
❌ DON’T: Use dialogue to fill silence just for the sake of it
Not every scene needs chatty back-and-forth. Sometimes silence, body language, or internal thought says more.
Let your characters breathe. Let tension simmer.
✅ DO: Read it out loud
This is one of the best tests. If you trip over your words or it feels stiff, your reader will feel it too. If it flows off your tongue naturally? You’re probably onto something good.
Quick Bonus Tip:
Avoid name-dropping too often.
In real conversations, we rarely say each other’s names unless we’re trying to get someone’s attention or make a point.
Unnatural:
“What are you doing, Sarah?”
“I’m just thinking, Mike.”
“You seem tense, Sarah.”
Natural:
“What’re you doing?”
“Just thinking.”
“You seem tense.”
Final Thoughts
Writing dialogue is part art, part instinct, and part practice. If you focus on voice, subtext, rhythm, and emotional truth, your characters will feel like real people readers can connect with.
So go on—write conversations that matter, that crackle, that linger.
And if you ever feel stuck? Just ask yourself: Would a real person actually say this?
Happy Writing ^_^
Sara's Writing Sanctuary 