![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.calbaptist.edu\/dazed-starling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2025\/04\/Gray-Blog-1024x689.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\u201cHi Sally, how\u2019s work?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWork is pretty good, Lauren. How\u2019s your family?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy family is okay. It\u2019s been hard since the explosion of \u201808 that killed my grandma.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Suddenly, the book is terrible. Nobody talks like that. And if they do, it\u2019s one of those filler conversations that are no fun to be in, much less read about. We just met these characters, they talk like cardboard cut-outs, and why is Sally talking about a tragic event like it\u2019s normal conversation? You put the book down. Good descriptions are not enough to keep you reading if you have to slog through dialogue like this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So why does this happen? Why can good writers be so clueless when it comes to writing for characters? It\u2019s an epidemic sweeping the nation, but there may be a cure.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Observe How People Talk<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Not in a creepy way, but when you\u2019re in conversation, observe speech patterns. Do people talk in complete sentences? Usually, they don\u2019t. Even if it\u2019s technically grammatically correct, it will stilt your writing and subconsciously take your character out of it. Instead of \u201cyes, I agree,\u201d try a simple \u201cyes.\u201d How much slang is there? Usually, a little bit but not so much that it\u2019s distracting or trying too hard to relate. How do people converse? Is there a fast rhythm in banter? Slower in awkward moments? Would a conversation slow down in a tense scene or ramp up?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Surround Yourself with Interesting People<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Let\u2019s say you have the speech patterns down. They sound pretty natural, but are they too similar? If you have every character using the same catchphrase, they\u2019re all carbon copies of each other. Learn from your peers. They shouldn\u2019t be total replicas of your friends, though. Maybe your character has your friend Brian\u2019s sass but Ava\u2019s boldness. Mix and match to find something that works best with your characters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Show, Don\u2019t Tell<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
One of the primary details of my bad example was the very explicit \u201cbackstory\u201d that this character has. Does it set up what\u2019s to come quickly? Yes, but it\u2019s such a boring way to reveal important details. Say we keep the explosion idea–in real life, that character may get quiet and have flashbacks of the moment. Maybe they take a while to admit what\u2019s plaguing them. Depending on who the other character is (close friend, acquaintance, coworker), she may hold things closer to her chest and bury how she\u2019s truly feeling, especially in casual conversation. We might not find out what\u2019s happening with her until chapter fifteen or sixteen. Keeping things secret but showing the character noticeably hiding something is a great way to drive the plot forward, even if it feels slow and tedious for the author to write. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Utilize Conflict<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Take every opportunity while writing dialogue to move the story along. Is it important for Steve and Jason to discuss a boring day at work? Probably not, but you can make it important by giving each an agenda and goal (The Narrative Arc). If those goals oppose one another, that\u2019s even better. A good conflict will hook a reader and keep them reading. This isn\u2019t implying that all characters need to hate each other, but they should not have the same goals, internal or external. The excitement in dialogue lies in their differences. Differing personalities, goals, and tactics will make your characters and their conversation more realistic and keep your reader invested in character relationships.<\/p>\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.calbaptist.edu\/dazed-starling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2025\/04\/Dazed-Blog-Graphics-4-1024x1024.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nYou\u2019ve Got This!<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Keeping these rules in mind (especially<\/em> the last one) go out and write your own terrific dialogue! Watch for your favorite authors utilizing these tips and learn from them as well. Once you get a flow for writing dialogue, it becomes simple to make it natural and your characters will start to come alive on the page. Keep at it and write something amazing!<\/p>\n\n\n\n (As a bonus writing exercise, try rewriting the unfortunate tale of Sally, Lauren, and the explosion of \u201908 🙃)<\/p>\n\n\n\nWorks Cited<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n