9 Actionable Tips On How To Write Great Dialogue
Great dialogue is a vital component of any compelling piece of writing, whether it's a novel, screenplay, or short story. Dialogue has the power to bring characters to life, drive the plot forward, and immerse readers in the world of your story. It adds depth, authenticity, and emotional resonance to the narrative, making it an indispensable tool in the writer's arsenal.
However, writing dialogue can be tricky. Done poorly it can be jarring and ruin the immersion for the reader.
In this guide on how to write dialogue, we explore nine actionable tips that will help you write exceptional dialogue. From creating realistic conversations to mastering the art of subtext, we cover a range of techniques that will elevate your dialogue and take your writing to a whole new level.
Here are our 9 tips for writing great dialogue
Skip the Greetings and Small Talk
Embrace the Three-Beat Rule
Harness the Power of Action Beats
Embrace the Simplicity of "Said"
Utilise Variety in Your Dialogue Scenes
Navigate Exposition with Care
Employ Catchphrases and Quirks with Care
Let Subtext Speak
Be Concise
1. Skip the greetings and small talk
The first tip in our guide on how to write dialogue is to skip the boring bits.
In the words of Alfred Hitchcock, "Drama is life with all the boring bits cut out." The same principle applies to crafting great dialogue, where we strive to capture the essence of real conversation without the unnecessary fluff. Consider this: how many memorable scenes in literature or film begin with characters exchanging mundane pleasantries like "Hey, how are you?" or "Long time no see."
These lines contribute little to the story and are all too familiar. Do you really want to repeat this ritual every time your characters meet? Chances are, neither you nor your readers have the patience for it. Readers can intuit that these social niceties occur, allowing you to propel the conversation forward and delve into the heart of the matter.
2. Embrace the Three-Beat Rule
According to screenwriter Cynthia Whitcomb, the Three-Beat Rule offers valuable guidance for crafting effective dialogue. It suggests that writers should limit themselves to a maximum of three dialogue beats before incorporating a dialogue tag, action beat, or another character's speech. Dialogue "beats" can be understood as concise phrases in speech that can be said without pausing for breath, which may or may not align with complete sentences.
While it's true that classic books often deviate from this rule, it's important to acknowledge that dialogue conventions have evolved over time. Lengthy and uninterrupted monologues, unless purposefully leading to a powerful outburst or revelation, tend to feel outdated and awkward in contemporary writing. Furthermore, readers' attention and interest wane easily when confronted with extended speeches. Therefore, adhering to the Three-Beat Rule becomes essential in maintaining a dynamic and engaging dialogue that holds readers' attention throughout the conversation.
3. Harness the power of action beats
In addition to dialogue beats, another valuable tool when considering how to write dialogue is the use of action beats. These beats encompass descriptions of expressions, movements, or even internal thoughts that accompany the speaker's words. Placed within the same paragraph as the dialogue, action beats indicate that the individual performing the action is also the one speaking.
Incorporating action beats into your dialogue serves multiple purposes. Firstly, they add variety to your writing, alleviating the need for a repetitive string of lines ending in "he said" or "she said." By weaving action beats seamlessly into the conversation, you maintain a dynamic and engaging flow.
Secondly, action beats allow you to manage the pace of dialogue-heavy scenes. They serve as strategic pauses or moments of activity that break up the conversation, preventing it from becoming monotonous. This technique keeps readers actively engaged and prevents dialogue from feeling overwhelming.
They also serve as a means to illustrate and provide context to the conversation. By describing characters' facial expressions, body language, or internal thoughts, you offer readers valuable insights into the subtext and emotions underlying the dialogue. This added layer of depth allows readers to grasp the significance of the scene beyond what is explicitly being said, enhancing their understanding and connection with the characters.
Through skilful integration, these beats contribute to character development, scene setting, and the overall rhythm of your narrative. Embrace action beats as a powerful tool to bring your dialogue to life and elevate the impact of your storytelling.
4. Embrace the simplicity of "Said"
The word "said" often receives criticism for being unexciting and overused as a dialogue tag, particularly during school lessons. However, in the realm of book writing, this simple tag is actually preferred over more descriptive alternatives like "exclaimed," "declared," or the numerous other words used to replace "said."
The reasoning behind favouring "said" is that most of the time, readers don't pay much attention to the tag itself, in fact generally you don’t want them to. Their focus rightfully lies on the words being spoken. Esteemed writer Elmore Leonard concurs with this sentiment, stating, "Never use a verb other than 'said' to carry dialogue. The line of dialogue belongs to the character; the verb is the writer sticking his nose in. 'Said' is far less intrusive than 'grumbled,' 'gasped,' 'cautioned,' 'lied.'"
While it may be an extreme approach to completely eliminate other verbs, it is crucial to avoid overcrowding your dialogue with excessive and showy tags. Doing so risks momentarily distracting readers from the scene at hand, interrupting the natural flow of the conversation and overshadowing the importance of the spoken words.
Remember, the primary focus should be on the characters and their words, allowing the dialogue to carry its weight without unnecessary distractions.
5. Utilise variety in your dialogue scenes
In the realm of writing good dialogue, it's important to recognize that exceptions exist to the tips we've shared thus far. Mastering the art of dialogue isn't about rigidly adhering to rules; it's about understanding when to employ specific techniques and, above all, emphasizing the substance of the exchange between characters.
If you cling to a single rule throughout your writing—such as exclusively using "said" or punctuating every line of dialogue with an action beat—you run the risk of wearing out your readers.
The example below featuring Sophie and Ethan illustrates how awkward and contrived it can feel:
Sophie smiled. "I'm glad you're here," she said.
Ethan nodded. "Me too," he said, taking a step forward.
Sophie's eyes sparkled. "I've missed you," she said, reaching out to touch his arm.
To maintain reader engagement, it is crucial to inject variety into the structure and use of dialogue tags and action beats within a scene, extending that diversity throughout your entire book. While "said" can serve as the default tag, be open to changing it when a description of the characters or a more elaborate dialogue tag can enrich the scene with nuanced details.
By embracing the concept of variety, you infuse your dialogue with freshness and dynamism. Experiment with different techniques, allowing the flow of the conversation to guide your choices. Utilize action beats strategically, employ descriptive tags when they enhance the context, and let the characters' unique voices shine through. This approach ensures that your dialogue scenes remain engaging, keeping readers captivated throughout your story.
The goal is to strike a balance between consistency and innovation, leveraging a range of techniques to bring your dialogue to life. Adaptability and thoughtful consideration of each scene will help you create dialogue that is not only realistic and engaging but also captivating and memorable.
6. Navigate Exposition with Care
Exposition poses a significant challenge for writers as it requires the delicate balance of presenting crucial background information in a seamless and engaging manner. While it may be tempting to incorporate exposition within the dialogue to avoid lengthy narrative detours, this approach is not without its pitfalls.
The primary concern with speech-based explanations is that they can quickly become unnatural. Characters may deliver lengthy monologues, delving into excessive detail on topics that may not realistically arise or be foremost in their minds within the story's context. For instance, a character casually mentioning, "I'm heading to the well, you know, the same well where our dear departed brother tragically fell five years ago..." can feel contrived and forced. Just because the information is delivered through conversation doesn't exempt it from turning into an info dump.
Therefore, exercise caution when employing dialogue-based exposition. It is advisable to have at least one character who lacks a complete understanding of the situation at hand. This allows for explanations to occur more naturally within the conversation, serving the purpose of enlightening the character while also conveying important information to the readers. By avoiding explanations solely for the sake of readers and instead integrating them into the character's journey of comprehension, you strike a balance that keeps the dialogue authentic and engaging.
Exposition is best when it blends seamlessly into the narrative fabric, rather than standing out as a forced disclosure.
Seek opportunities to reveal essential details through actions, character interactions, or gradual revelations instead of relying solely on dialogue-based explanations.
You may also like our article How To Write Realistic And Engaging Dialogue
7. Employ Catchphrases and Quirks with Care
Introducing a catchphrase or quirk to a character, such as Jay Gatsby's "old sport" or Dolores Umbridge's "hem hem," can imbue them with a distinctive and recognizable voice. However, like any character quirk, moderation is key to their effectiveness.
To begin with, it's crucial to avoid excessive repetition of the catchphrase. Overusing it may startle readers and disrupt the natural flow of the dialogue. As Elmore Leonard aptly noted, the writer should not intrude upon the dialogue, and an excessive injection of the quirk can draw unwanted attention to the author's presence on the page.
You should also be cautious about assigning too many characters their own quirks. Each quirk serves a purpose in revealing something about the character's nature. Gatsby's impersonation of a refined gentleman extends beyond his speech and permeates his entire lifestyle, while Umbridge's composed demeanour contrasts sharply with the chaos prevailing under Dumbledore's leadership at Hogwarts.
Therefore, it is crucial to thoughtfully consider your character's voice and employ catchphrases and quirks only when they genuinely contribute to the character's depth and development.
Selectivity in the usage of catchphrases allows for greater resonance and meaning, creating dialogue that not only entertains but also offers valuable insights into the intricacies of your characters' identities.
8. Let Subtext Speak
Just as a casual "I'm good" may not always reflect one's true emotional state in response to a friendly inquiry, characters in your story can also utter words that veer away from the truth. When thinking about how to write dialogue consider how you can place emphasis on what remains unsaid, the subtext.
To accomplish this, it's essential to embrace the timeless rule of "show, don't tell." Instead of explicitly stating a character's intentions or emotions, use action beats and vivid descriptions to provide subtle clues that can be deciphered between the lines.
By incorporating personality traits through action beats, you allow readers to organically delve into the depths of your characters. Rather than explicitly labelling Sophie as hardworking or resorting to a blunt "she lied" dialogue tag, actions, expressions, and gestures can serve as vehicles for revealing her true nature. Actions speak louder than words, and by skillfully weaving these elements into the conversation, you grant readers the opportunity to intimately understand the characters and their motivations.
Subtext is a powerful tool that adds complexity and nuance to your dialogue. It creates a captivating dance of words and hidden meanings, inviting readers to actively engage with the narrative and decipher the unspoken messages. By mastering the art of subtext, you elevate your storytelling and create an immersive experience that resonates long after the dialogue has been spoken.
Unspoken words often carry as much weight as spoken ones.
9. Be Concise
As we reach our final tip on how to write dialogue, it's crucial to remember the timeless adage: less is more. Embracing a mindset of simplicity and conciseness allows you to eliminate unnecessary dialogue fragments, as discussed in Tip #1, and focus on ensuring that every word of dialogue holds significance. Effective writing is rooted in intention and purpose, continually propelling the story forward and captivating readers. Therefore, quality outweighs quantity.
One aspect we haven't yet touched upon is the issue of repetition. While repetition can be a powerful literary device when used intentionally to build motifs and amplify themes, it's essential to exercise caution when it comes to dialogue. Repeating well-established pieces of information within conversations can hinder the dynamics between characters and squander valuable space within a scene. If you find yourself on the verge of redundancy, it's prudent to take a step back and revise your work.
A well-crafted dialogue serves as a platform for compelling character dynamics to unfold. Including extraneous phrases or repetitive elements dilutes the impact of these interactions and wastes precious narrative real estate. When teetering on the edge of repetition, it's better to err on the side of brevity and allow readers to infer deeper meanings. By trusting in their ability to draw connections and uncover subtleties, you create an environment where readers actively engage with the story, forging a more immersive and rewarding reading experience.
In the realm of dialogue, every word matters. Embrace the power of concise expression, where every utterance holds purpose and contributes to the rich tapestry of your narrative.
How To Write Great Dialogue: Final Words
Writing engaging and realistic dialogue can be a daunting task, particularly if you're new to it. However, don't let that discourage you from incorporating dialogue into your writing. With practice and the guidance provided by these tips, you'll steadily improve your skills in this area.
The key to mastering dialogue is practice. It’s also always great advice to read your writing back to yourself to make sure it flows naturally.
The more you engage in writing conversations between your characters, the more comfortable and proficient you'll become. Embrace the opportunity to refine your craft and let these 9 tips on how to write dialogue serve as a valuable resource on your journey.
Once you've honed your ability to create compelling conversations, the next step is to ensure you punctuate and format your dialogue effectively. Proper punctuation and formatting will enhance the clarity and readability of your conversations, making them even more impactful and engaging for your readers.