Dialogue is one of those things that we’re all aware of, but perhaps we don’t fully understand how much it impacts the story. Lots of readers get bogged down by exposition, overly-wrought descriptions, or other story elements, but for me, it’s the dialogue that makes or breaks it. If the conversations feel stilted or simply inauthentic, it’s really hard for me to stay in the story. So, let’s discuss why it’s important and how to do it “right.”

The Importance of Authentic Dialogue

One of the best ways to showcase the quirks, nuances, and distinct personalities of each character is through their conversations with one another. That’s why choosing words carefully, and even considering the cadence of speech itself (rhythm, and how it “sounds”) is so important. Dialogue reveals so much about who each person is, making them memorable and relatable. Ideally, we should be able to tell who’s talking, even without a dialogue tag to tell us.

It’s also worth remember that dialogue is not just idle chit-chat—it's one of the primary tools we use to advance the plot. Through conversations, we can reveal crucial information, and relationships can evolve. Info-dumping in the form of exposition can feel especially heavy and disengaging as a reader, but the same information can be shared through dialogue and we’re totally open to hearing it.

Along those lines, the way characters speak can evoke the setting and atmosphere of a story, so it isn’t just the plot we can influence through dialogue, but the vibes, too. While haggling in a bustling city, our character and a shopkeeper might exchange words quickly, keeping things short and to the point, shouted out over crowd noise. But if we’re in a southern US town, our characters might stroll beneath oak trees, sharing a glass of lemonade as they drawl about Sunday’s service. Bottom line, how we write the dialogue immerses readers in the world we've crafted, and we have a chance to make it truly vivid and authentic.

Tips for Crafting Authentic Dialogue

Listen and Observe

One of the best ways I’ve found to improve the dialogue in my work is to be a keen observer of real-life conversations. Pay attention to the rhythm, cadence, and idiosyncrasies of how real people speak. Incorporate the natural flow of conversation, complete with interruptions, pauses, and the occasional overlap of voices. I love people-watching as inspiration for my writing.

Use Subtext and Unspoken Communication

Not everything needs to be said outright. Embrace subtext and unspoken communication in your dialogue. Characters may convey more through what they don't say, the pauses they take, or the meaningful glances they exchange. I think of many of the conversations in Pride and Prejudice because Jane Austen’s subtext is absolutely delicious in those scenes. We can provide so much extra information to our readers without our characters saying a single word, and those layers are what keep our readers engaged. If they have to work for it a little bit, their brains are more involved with our story, and that’s always a good thing.

Vary Speech Patterns and Vocabulary

Each character should have a unique voice, so we can show that by varying speech patterns, vocabulary, and sentence structures to reflect individual personalities. It’s always worth considering factors like education, background, and experiences that would influence the way characters express themselves. From my own work, Sen (in my unpublished series, The Manifold Chronicles) is an Academy instructor, while his wife, Kami never attended Academy. He uses more academic/professional language while hers is more casual, but even beyond that, Sen’s references and topics of conversations are more varied due to his exposure to other places and people. Kami has always lived in their hometown, so what she talks about often references local people, places, events, etc.

Cut the Small Talk (Most of the Time)

While small talk has its place, be mindful of its usage. In most cases, dialogue should serve a purpose—advancing the plot, revealing character traits, or building tension. Cut unnecessary chatter and focus on dialogue that contributes meaningfully to the narrative.

Exercise: Dialogue in Action

Now, let's put these tips into practice with an exercise. Choose two characters—create them or use existing ones from your work. Set them in a specific location with a clear objective or conflict. Write a dialogue scene between them, paying attention to the authenticity of their voices, the subtext, and the purpose of the conversation. Once done, reflect on how you've applied the tips to create a compelling and genuine exchange.

Example Scene:

Characters: Emma (journalist) and Alex (mysterious informant)

Setting: Dimly lit diner, late evening

Objective: Emma seeks information from Alex about a hidden conspiracy.

Snippet:

"You said you had something big for me. Don't keep me in suspense." Emma tapped her foot beneath the sticky diner table.

Alex smirked as he sat back. "Facts are currency, love. What are you willing to trade?"

"I've got a deadline, Alex.” Emma crossed her fingers to hide her nerves. She wasn’t used to these kinds of assignments, and she wasn’t going to let her boss down by acting like a rookie. “What's the info, and how much is it going to cost me?"

"Impatient, as always. But fine. You want the mayor's dirty secrets… I've got 'em, but it won't come cheap." He stretched like a cat, arms splayed along the back of the booth as if he owned it.

"I don’t have time for this," Emma mumbled. She tucked her pen into her bag, preparing to sling it over her shoulder.

Alex shrugged. "You won't find a source like me, Emma. I'm your golden ticket, and you know it. Now, let's talk numbers. Cash upfront, no negotiations."

"You're a real charmer.” Emma fought the urge to roll her eyes. “Cash upfront means I need something substantial. Give me a taste—something to show you're not just bullshitting me."

"You don't trust me, sweetheart? That stings.” Alex examined his fingernails. “But fine, I'll throw you a bone. The mayor's been funneling city funds into a secret offshore account. I've got the account number, but that's just the tip of the iceberg. Wait till you see the people he’s paying off, and what he’s doing with all those funds."

Emma's eyes narrowed. "The account number, huh?” This was exactly what she needed for Frank to start putting her on the big stories, but she couldn’t act too eager. “We published a piece from an anonymous source last month about the likelihood of these accounts. I need proof, though—documents, names, dates. You provide that, and we'll talk cash. I don’t have it with me, but I can withdraw from the bank first thing in the morning, if you’ve got enough to make it worth it."

"I'll give you the proof, but you'll owe me. And trust me, I'll come collecting when the time is right." Alex's laughter bounced off the linoleum tile floors. “But for now, five grand should get us started.”

“No way.” Emma grabbed her bag again, zipping closed it for effect. Frank told her to act like she didn’t need Alex, so that was exactly what she was doing. “Two thousand is the best I can do, and no additional favors.”

Alex pretended to count on his fingers. “Well that’ll hardly cover my ass if shit goes sideways, but whatever. If you can break the story and get that dipshit out of office, two grand will do.”

“Good.” Emma extended a hand. “What do you have for me?”

Your Turn:

Try taking two of your own characters now. You can write them in any scene you’d like, but if you’re stuck or just want the challenge of following a prompt, consider putting them into the following scene:

Characters: Any two of your choice

Setting: A bus stop in a small town

Objective: One character is trying to leave, and the other wants them to stay.

Now… write!

Happy writing!

Writing Tip: Focus on Dialogue