Dialogue

Dialogue is more than just characters talking—it’s a powerful tool to develop personality, advance the plot, and create tension. Understanding how to write effective dialogue and use dialogue tags properly will make your writing more engaging and professional. Here’s everything you need to know:

Good dialogue feels natural, serves a purpose, and keeps readers engaged. Here are some key tips:

A. Make It Purposeful:
Every line of dialogue should contribute to the story. Ask yourself:

• Does this reveal something about the character?
• Does it move the plot forward or build tension?
• Is it creating or resolving conflict?

Example:
Ineffective:
“Hi, how are you?”
“I’m fine. How about you?”
(This doesn’t add value.)

Effective:
“I thought you said you’d quit.”
“I did—this is just one drink. It doesn’t count.”
(This reveals tension and hints at character flaws.)

B. Keep It Realistic but Concise:
Real conversations include filler words, but in fiction, less is more. Strip out unnecessary small talk and focus on what matters.

Example:
Too Realistic:
“Well, um, I guess we could maybe—if you want—try going to the park, I mean, if it’s not too cold.”
Better:
“We could go to the park, if you’re up for it.”

C. Reflect the Character’s Voice:
Each character should speak in a way that reflects their personality, background, and emotional state.

Example:

• A teenager: “That’s so lame, dude.”
• A professor: “That approach, while intriguing, lacks empirical support.”

D. Show, Don’t Tell Through Dialogue:
Instead of explicitly stating emotions, let the dialogue hint at them.

Example:
Telling:
“I’m angry with you,” she said angrily.
Showing:
“You never think of anyone but yourself,” she snapped, slamming the door behind her.

Dialogue tags identify who is speaking and clarify the tone. While simple tags like “said” are common, they should be used thoughtfully.

A. Keep Tags Simple:
Stick to basic tags like said or asked. These are invisible to readers and won’t distract from the dialogue.

Example:
“What happened?” he asked.
“I don’t know,” she said.

Avoid overusing synonyms like exclaimed, replied, or interjected. They can feel forced and draw attention away from the dialogue.

B. Show Emotion Through Action, Not Tags:
Instead of relying on tags to convey tone, use character actions or body language.

Example:
Tag-dependent:
“I can’t believe this,” she said angrily.
Better:
“I can’t believe this.” She threw the book across the room.

C. Place Tags Strategically:
Put dialogue tags where they flow naturally and avoid cluttering the dialogue.

Example:
Natural:
“I’m not going,” Sarah said. “You can’t make me.”
Clunky:
“I’m not going,” said Sarah, “you can’t make me.”

D. Use Tags Sparingly in Group Conversations:
If it’s clear who’s speaking, skip the tags. Let the dialogue flow naturally, but add a tag occasionally to maintain clarity.

Example:
“This plan is terrible,” John said.
“It’s better than nothing,” replied Kate.
“Can we just focus?” Mark interjected.

3. Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Overusing Adverbs in Tags:
  “I’ll be there,” she said happily. Instead, show happiness through the dialogue or action.
• Using Overly Complex Synonyms:
  “It’s hopeless,” he ejaculated. Stick to simple and clear tags like said.
• Dumping Too Much Exposition in Dialogue:
  Avoid forcing characters to explain things unnaturally:
  “As you know, my brother, the famous detective, would have solved this already.”