7 Techniques to Craft Engaging Dialogue for Your Characters

Make it realistic and authentic:

Realistic and authentic dialogue is crucial for any writer who wants to create characters that feel real and relatable. One of the best ways to create realistic dialogue is to listen to people talking in everyday life. Pay attention to how they speak, what words they use, and the rhythm and cadence of their speech. This will help you create dialogue that sounds natural and authentic.

For example, consider the difference between these two lines of dialogue:

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said.

“I ain’t got a clue what you’re on about,” he said.

The second line of dialogue is more realistic because it includes slang and regional dialect that would be common in certain parts of the world. Using language that is authentic to your characters and setting will help bring your dialogue to life.

Use subtext to create tension:

Subtext is the unspoken meaning behind the words that characters say. It is what they really mean, even if they’re not saying it out loud. Using subtext is a powerful way to create tension and conflict in your dialogue, and it can keep your readers on the edge of their seats.

For example, consider this exchange between two characters:

“Do you want to go out for dinner tonight?” he asked.

“I’m busy tonight,” she said.

On the surface, this dialogue seems straightforward. However, there is subtext here that suggests the woman might not want to go out with the man. If the writer wants to create tension, they could reveal this subtext through the woman’s body language or the tone of her voice.

Vary sentence length and structure:

Varying sentence length and structure is an effective way to keep your readers engaged and interested in your dialogue. Long, complex sentences can be difficult to follow, while short, choppy sentences can be repetitive and dull. Mixing up your sentence length and structure will keep your readers on their toes and make your dialogue more dynamic.

For example, compare these two lines of dialogue:

“I can’t believe you did that,” he said, shaking his head.

“Wow,” he said, “I never would have thought you’d do something like that.”

The second line of dialogue is more interesting because it includes a longer sentence with a different structure. This helps to break up the rhythm of the dialogue and keep the reader engaged.

Show, don't tell:

Showing, not telling, is a key principle of good writing, and it applies to dialogue as well. Instead of having characters say exactly how they feel or what they’re thinking, show their emotions through their actions or the words they choose to use.

For example, consider this exchange:

“I’m sorry,” he said.

“It’s fine,” she said.

This dialogue is functional, but it doesn’t reveal much about the characters or their emotions. To make the dialogue more engaging, the writer could add more descriptive language or action to show how the characters are feeling.

“I’m sorry,” he said, looking down at his feet.

“It’s fine,” she said, rolling her eyes.

The added description and action help to reveal the characters’ emotions and create a more engaging exchange.

Use dialogue tags sparingly:

Dialogue tags are phrases that attribute speech to a particular character, such as “he said” or “she exclaimed.” While dialogue tags are necessary, using them too frequently can become tedious for the reader. Instead, use action tags to break up the dialogue and add more depth to the scene.

For example:

“I’m sorry,” he said, looking down at his feet.

“It’s fine,” she said, rolling her eyes.

vs.

“I’m sorry,” he said, looking down at his feet.

She rolled her eyes. “It’s fine.”

The second example doesn't use a dialogue tag for the second line, but the action tag "she rolled her eyes" helps to convey the speaker's tone and emotion. This technique also helps to make the dialogue flow more smoothly.

Use dialogue to reveal character:

Dialogue is an excellent way to reveal your characters' personalities and motivations. Each character should have their own distinct voice and way of speaking, which can help readers understand their motivations and desires.

For example, a shy character might speak softly and hesitate before speaking, while a confident character might speak loudly and confidently. A character who is hiding something might be evasive in their speech, while a character who is straightforward and honest might speak plainly.

Keep it concise:

In most cases, it's best to keep dialogue concise and to the point. Long, meandering speeches can be tedious for readers, and they can slow down the pacing of your story. Instead, focus on using dialogue to move the plot forward and reveal character.

For example:

“I think we should break up,” he said.

“I don’t understand why,” she said.

“I just don’t think this is working out,” he said.

This exchange is concise and to the point, conveying the necessary information without dragging on for too long.

In conclusion, writing engaging dialogue is essential for creating compelling and believable characters. By following these techniques and strategies, you can improve your dialogue writing skills and create characters that your readers will care about. Remember to make your dialogue realistic and authentic, use subtext to create tension, vary sentence length and structure, show, don't tell, use dialogue tags sparingly, use dialogue to reveal character, and keep it concise. With practice and patience, you can write dialogue that will keep your readers engaged from start to finish.