Dialogue is so important in a novel, but at the same time, it can be difficult to write. In fact, writing realistic dialogue is always one of the hardest parts for me when I am writing a story. However, rather than starting blankly at the page or fretting about how to make your characters sound authentic, you should consider approaching dialogue with a few practical strategies. Which is why listed below are 5 key things you should remember when writing dialogue.
Dialogue Should Add to Character Development
The first and main thing you should remember before writing dialogue is that dialogue should always add to the development of your characters. Every single time your character says something it should help readers understand them better. Plus, the dialogue should teach readers something about the character who is speaking. For example, if a character frequently uses sarcastic remarks, it can reveal their coping mechanism for dealing with stress or insecurity. On the other hand, if a character speaks in a soft, hesitant manner, it might indicate shyness or a lack of confidence. Overall, the dialogue you write should always reveal something about the character who is speaking. Remember, you want readers to get to know your characters and their completixites. That being said, you don't want to have your characters simply blurt out information or state their traits directly. Instead, let their dialogue naturally reveal traits about them. Listed below are positive and negative examples of this.
Example of Good Dialogue
"I’ve always admired your courage, even if you don’t see it in yourself. Remember when you stood up to the whole class for that new student? That was so brave," Emma said.
"I just didn’t think it was fair to let them be picked on," Gabriella replied.
Example of Bad Dialogue
Use Subtext
Just like in real conversations, your dialogue should have subtext. Subtext is the underlying meaning or emotion behind the words your characters speak. It’s what’s left unsaid but is still conveyed through the tone, context, and interaction. In general, subtext is so important! That is because it doesn't just add depth and realism to your dialogue, but it also makes it more engaging and layered. As a result, when writing authentic dialogue, ensure that you weave in subtext to make your writing even more nuanced.
Include Contradictions
Including contradictions in dialogue is another effective technique to enhance realism and character depth. In real life, people often contradict themselves due to changing emotions and perspectives, conflicting desires, or just general complex personalities. Which is why by incorporating contradictions, you can make your characters more believable.
Listen to Others Talk
A great way to gain inspiration for your dialogue is by listening to others talk. Listening to how other people talk can make it easier for you to write dialogue that sounds natural and engaging. Plus, it can help you pick up on quirks that come with speaking that you may not have realized before. For example, by listening to others speak you may realize that you may notice common speech patterns, such as the use of fillers like "um" or "like," as well as interruptions and incomplete sentences, which can add realism to your dialogue. You might also observe regional accents, slang, or unique phrases that can help differentiate your characters and make their interactions feel more genuine. In general, by integrating these elements, you can craft dialogue that really reflects real-life conversations!
Don't Overuse Names
Lastly, it is important that you don't overuse names in your dialogue. Think about it, how often do you repeadtely refer to the person you are taking to by name during a conversation? It is probably not too often. This is why your characters shouldn't overuse someone's name, either. Overusing names can make your dialogue sound unnatural and stilted. That is because real conversations typically rely more on context and natural flow rather than constant name-dropping. So, you should focus on creating dialogue that feels organic and reflects how people naturally communicate, using names only when it is necessary to clarify who is speaking or to emphasize a point.
The purpose of dialogue is to communicate information regarding a character, their viewpoints, or the events in a scene. As a result, dialogue plays a crucial role in every story by providing essential context and captivating readers. So despite it being challenging to write, it is ultimately rewarding. You can do it!
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