Writing Dialogue in a Story

One of the most exciting parts of writing a story is bringing your characters to life through dialogue.

It’s where their personalities really shine, where you can show emotions, and where the tension between them can spark.

But writing realistic, engaging dialogue?

That’s another story.

If you’ve ever written a conversation between two characters and then thought, “That doesn’t sound right,” you’re not alone.

Whether you’re working on a thrilling paranormal romance or a supernatural adventure, getting dialogue just right can make all the difference.

Here’s a simple guide to help you write dialogue that feels authentic and keeps your readers hooked!

 

Keep it Natural

People don’t speak in perfect, grammatically correct sentences. (At least, not all the time!)

In real life, we mumble, interrupt each other, and often trail off mid-sentence.

When writing dialogue, embrace this natural flow.

Your characters should sound like real people, not robots reciting lines.

For example, instead of:

“I am going to the store to buy bread and then return home,”

Try:

“I’m heading to the store. I’ll grab some bread… then come back.”

This might seem small, but it helps make your characters feel more grounded and relatable.

 

Use Dialogue to Reveal Character and Plot

Great dialogue isn’t just about talking.

It’s about revealing things about the character’s personality, motivations, and even the plot.

Let your characters’ words reflect their inner world—whether it’s their desires, secrets, or fears.

For example, if you have a character who is hiding a secret, they might answer questions too quickly or avoid eye contact.

If someone is nervous, their speech might be quick and disjointed.

If your character is hiding something, their dialogue can drop hints without them saying it outright.

 

Avoid Over-Explaining or Info-Dumping

We’ve all seen dialogue that feels like it’s there just to explain the plot or background info.

This is what we call “info-dumping,” and it’s a common mistake to avoid.

Instead of explaining everything to your reader, show it through actions, context, or subtle hints.

Let the reader discover the details through conversation.

For example:

Avoid:

“As you know, I’ve always wanted to become a doctor, just like my father, who passed away last year.”

Try:

“I thought about becoming a doctor. Dad always said I’d make a great one.” (This reveals the same info but feels more natural.)

 

Want to Level Up Your Dialogue?

If you want to go deeper into writing powerful dialogue, check out The Step-By-Step Beginners Guide to Writing a YA Fiction Novel – Crafting Distinctive Conversations and Dialogue

It’s packed with exercises, tips, and examples to help you craft dialogue that pulls readers in and makes your characters pop.

Plus, it’ll give you more advanced techniques for building tension and subtext between characters.

 

Grab Your Free Dialogue Cheat Sheet!

Need a little help getting started?

I’ve created a free Dialogue Writing Cheat Sheet to make your writing process smoother and faster.

Sign up for my newsletter and get access to this resource, along with behind-the-scenes insights, updates on my latest projects, and exclusive discounts on my digital products.

 

Conclusion

Writing dialogue might feel tricky at first, but with a little practice and a good understanding of your characters, you’ll find your voice and rhythm.

Remember, it’s all about making your characters sound real and true to themselves.

By avoiding common mistakes like info-dumping and embracing the natural flow of conversation, you’ll keep your readers engaged—and make your story come to life.

Ready to create unforgettable characters and conversations?

Grab your Dialogue Writing Cheat Sheet and start writing dialogue that sparks off the page!

 

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Happy writing,