Do you have these newbie dialogue tendencies? Don't worry, we'll explore some easy fixes to avoid cringing out your readers!
Repetition
The first telltale sign of insecure writing is repetition and over-explanation. This often stems from a lack of confidence in one’s ability to communicate effectively, leading to an instinct to repeat or clarify ideas unnecessarily. Writers may feel unsure about their skills or doubt whether their readers will fully grasp their message. As a result, they might reiterate the same point multiple times—whether in dialogue, internal monologue, or descriptive passages.
To spot this habit in your own writing, look for instances where you restate ideas across different narrative elements. For example, are you echoing what’s already expressed in a character’s thoughts within their spoken dialogue? Or, are you describing something and then summarizing it again in narration? Catching and trimming these redundancies can make your writing more concise and impactful.
Similar Voices
When all your characters sound too similar. When every character speaks in the same tone, rhythm, or style, it not only feels monotonous but also weakens the reader’s connection to the story. Distinct character voices are essential for creating a cast that feels dynamic and real.
To craft unique voices, consider four key aspects for each character: tone, rhythm, personality, and vocabulary. Think about how these elements shape the way each character speaks. For example, does one character use short, clipped sentences, while another prefers long, flowing monologues? Does one have a formal, precise vocabulary, while another uses slang or casual speech? These nuances make characters come alive on the page.
A helpful exercise to test this is to place your characters in the same scenario and write their responses. For instance, imagine a group of characters at a restaurant where the waitress brings the wrong order. How does each character react? What do they say, and how do they say it? This exercise not only highlights whether your characters’ voices are distinct but also helps you explore their personalities further. If each character responds in a unique way, you’re on the right track to building a vivid, engaging cast.
Monologuing
Long-winded speeches that span half a page or more may seem like dialogue, but in reality, they’re monologues. Conversations don’t usually unfold that way in real life, and in fiction, it can slow down the pacing and make interactions feel unnatural.
To keep dialogue lively and engaging, aim for brevity. As a rule of thumb, I limit most dialogue lines to two or three sentences, unless a character is intentionally delivering a monologue or delving deeply into a particular theme. This practice keeps conversations flowing and mirrors the natural rhythm of a back-and-forth exchange.
Breaking up dialogue into shorter, snappier lines also creates better pacing. Instead of characters taking turns delivering lengthy soliloquies, readers experience dynamic interactions that feel more authentic. This technique makes your writing easier to read and enhances the energy of the scene.
No Subtext
Do your characters always know exactly what they want to say and how they’re feeling? If so, their dialogue might come across as unrealistic. Most people don’t have perfect clarity about their emotions, especially in the heat of the moment. We often process feelings slowly—sometimes only understanding them fully years later. Your characters should reflect this complexity.
Avoid having characters psychoanalyze themselves or articulate their feelings with unnatural precision. They shouldn’t always be completely honest or transparent with others, either. This doesn’t mean your characters need to outright lie, but they should “dance around the subject” in their conversations. Humans rarely express exactly what they mean; we hedge, we’re passive-aggressive, or we simply avoid tough truths. For instance, if a character is angry and someone asks how they’re doing, a believable response might be a clipped, “I’m fine,” instead of an emotional outpouring.
When characters speak too openly or with excessive clarity, it can pull readers out of the story. Instead of engaging with the subtext, readers are reminded that they’re consuming something crafted by an author who’s spelling out every emotion for them. This approach can feel patronizing, as if the story is being “dumbed down.”
By leaving room for interpretation and trusting readers to infer emotions through subtext, you create richer, more immersive storytelling. This subtlety allows readers to connect with the characters on a deeper level and experience the natural messiness of human emotions.
Static Conversations
The last piece of advice is perhaps the most practical: avoid static conversations. Think about this like The Sims—if you’ve played, you’ll know how characters often stand face-to-face, motionless, talking endlessly. While this works for a game, it makes for lifeless storytelling. To create engaging dialogue scenes, make sure your characters are doing something, interacting with their environment, or dealing with subplots while talking.
Incorporating movement and action adds richness to your scenes. For example, imagine a deep, emotional conversation taking place while characters are washing dishes. One character washes, another dries, and as tensions rise, maybe a dish is slammed into the sink, signaling frustration. These small, physical details weave in subtext and create an opportunity to build dynamics between characters beyond words.
You can even get creative with your settings and scenarios. What happens if your characters are having a heated discussion while riding a roller coaster or paddling a canoe? These unique contexts not only make the dialogue more engaging but also introduce opportunities for fresh storytelling ideas.
Adding props, action, or unexpected settings immediately livens up any scene. It breaks the monotony of dialogue-heavy passages and allows your characters’ personalities and relationships to shine through their interactions. Next time you’re crafting a conversation, think beyond the words—what else can your characters be doing, and how might it enhance the moment? Try it, and watch your dialogue scenes transform from static to dynamic.
If you’re looking for more ways to make your dialogue realistic and engaging, I’ve developed 10 easy-to-use methods that can transform your writing. These techniques are part of my Soft Plotting Program, a year-long, live coaching experience designed to guide you from the earliest stages of your project to completing your novel within a year.
While the program is currently closed for enrollment, the doors will reopen soon. If you’d like to secure a spot, be sure to join the waitlist. Signing up ensures you’ll be the first to know when new spots become available. I’d love to help you take your storytelling to the next level—so don’t miss your chance to join!
Char Anna
Char is the author of the writing guide ‘Finish Your First Novel’ and the founder of The Plottery. She’s been in the biz since 2021, and holds a BA in Film & Screenwriting as well as an MA in Creative Writing from Edinburgh Napier University.
Char resides in rainy Scotland with her pup Lavender (who is anything but calm, contrary to what her name suggests), and she writes darker fiction that focuses on unusual family dynamics and lots of queerness.
