8. Writing Dialogue That Pops: Craft Conversations that Feel Real

Make your characters sound like real people with these dialogue tips.

Dialogue is one of the most powerful tools in a writer’s arsenal. It has the ability to convey character, advance the plot, create tension, and add layers of depth to your story. Yet, writing dialogue that sounds real, natural, and engaging is a challenge many authors face. If dialogue falls flat, is overloaded with exposition, or lacks purpose, it can disengage readers and bring your story to a grinding halt. But when done right, dialogue breathes life into your characters, making them feel authentic and relatable. So how can you ensure your dialogue is both realistic and effective?

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1. Make It Purposeful

While real conversations often meander or contain filler, dialogue in fiction should always have a purpose. Every line needs to achieve something,

whether that’s revealing character, driving the plot, or creating tension between characters. Aim for dialogue that does double duty. For example, a character’s line might not only give information about the plot but also reveal their personality or motivations.

Let’s say a character is giving directions. Instead of just telling another character how to get somewhere, weave in details that also reveal something about them. For instance:

"Take the second left after the petrol station. It’s a bit of a dive, but their doughnuts are worth stopping for—if you’re into that sort of thing, anyway.”

Here, the character is providing useful information (directions), but the mention of the doughnuts and the judgemental tone give us insights into their character without making it too obvious.