#WritingDialogue

[s-soulwriter]

Things Real People Do in Dialogue (For Your Next Story)

Okay, let’s be real—dialogue can make or break a scene. You want your characters to sound natural, like actual humans talking, not robots reading a script. So, how do you write dialogue that feels real without it turning into a mess of awkward pauses and “ums”? Here’s a little cheat sheet of what real people actually do when they talk (and you can totally steal these for your next story):

1. People Interrupt Each Other All the Time In real conversations, nobody waits for the perfect moment to speak. We interrupt, cut each other off, and finish each other's sentences. Throw in some overlaps or interruptions in your dialogue to make it feel more dynamic and less like a rehearsed play.

2. They Don’t Always Say What They Mean Real people are masters of dodging. They’ll say one thing but mean something totally different (hello, passive-aggressive banter). Or they’ll just avoid the question entirely. Let your characters be vague, sarcastic, or just plain evasive sometimes—it makes their conversations feel more layered.

3. People Trail Off... We don’t always finish our sentences. Sometimes we just... stop talking because we assume the other person gets what we’re trying to say. Use that in your dialogue! Let a sentence trail off into nothing. It adds realism and shows the comfort (or awkwardness) between characters.

4. Repeating Words Is Normal In real life, people repeat words when they’re excited, nervous, or trying to make a point. It’s not a sign of bad writing—it’s how we talk. Let your characters get a little repetitive now and then. It adds a rhythm to their speech that feels more genuine.

5. Fillers Are Your Friends People say "um," "uh," "like," "you know," all the time. Not every character needs to sound polished or poetic. Sprinkle in some filler words where it makes sense, especially if the character is nervous or thinking on their feet.

6. Not Everyone Speaks in Complete Sentences Sometimes, people just throw out fragments instead of complete sentences, especially when emotions are high. Short, choppy dialogue can convey tension or excitement. Instead of saying “I really think we need to talk about this,” try “We need to talk. Now.”

7. Body Language Is Part of the Conversation Real people don’t just communicate with words; they use facial expressions, gestures, and body language. When your characters are talking, think about what they’re doing—are they fidgeting? Smiling? Crossing their arms? Those little actions can add a lot of subtext to the dialogue without needing extra words.

8. Awkward Silences Are Golden People don’t talk non-stop. Sometimes, they stop mid-conversation to think, or because things just got weird. Don’t be afraid to add a beat of awkward silence, a long pause, or a meaningful look between characters. It can say more than words.

9. People Talk Over Themselves When They're Nervous When we’re anxious, we tend to talk too fast, go back to rephrase what we just said, or add unnecessary details. If your character’s nervous, let them ramble a bit or correct themselves. It’s a great way to show their internal state through dialogue.

10. Inside Jokes and Shared History Real people have history. Sometimes they reference something that happened off-page, or they share an inside joke only they get. This makes your dialogue feel lived-in and shows that your characters have a life beyond the scene. Throw in a callback to something earlier, or a joke only two characters understand.

11. No One Explains Everything People leave stuff out. We assume the person we’re talking to knows what we’re talking about, so we skip over background details. Instead of having your character explain everything for the reader’s benefit, let some things go unsaid. It’ll feel more natural—and trust your reader to keep up!

12. Characters Have Different Voices Real people don’t all talk the same way. Your characters shouldn’t either! Pay attention to their unique quirks—does one character use slang? Does another speak more formally? Maybe someone’s always cutting people off while another is super polite. Give them different voices and patterns of speech so their dialogue feels authentic to them.

13. People Change the Subject In real life, conversations don’t always stay on track. People get sidetracked, jump to random topics, or avoid certain subjects altogether. If your characters are uncomfortable or trying to dodge a question, let them awkwardly change the subject or ramble to fill the space.

14. Reactions Aren’t Always Immediate People don’t always respond right away. They pause, they think, they hesitate. Sometimes they don’t know what to say, and that delay can speak volumes. Give your characters a moment to process before they respond—it’ll make the conversation feel more natural.

Important note: Please don’t use all of these tips in one dialogue at once.

[gazeofseer]

People say I have not seen the world yet, and there is more to it..

But I said 'I have seen the world like nobody else could, and it's deep not more"

- Sandhya

[theauthorsnetwork]

Let's Chat! 📝

Hey everyone!

As I celebrate a year of pouring my heart into this life business, I want to connect with you all on a deeper level. Whether you're a seasoned follower or a recent addition to this writing haven, I'd love to hear from you!

Feel free to send in your burning questions, writing dilemmas, or even just a simple hello. Your asks and messages make this journey more magical. 💖

[samanthalnasset]

Today's video, I'm discussing dialogue and some of my tips for writing it! https://youtu.be/qFdxI1JQOqE #writingcommunity #writingdialogue https://www.instagram.com/p/CLIpl5iA8Bp/?igshid=4z31dpihyoc7

[vivaelmuerto]

We've all been there, piggy! Lettering my comic. I do a little editing as I letter, but just as with my pencil layouts I try to bang it out quickly so my first pass at the dialogue is spontaneous. But I always give it a fresh rereading the next day then edit for clarity and all that stuff. Repeat until I'm either satisfied OR my deadline for getting it to the printers is up! #makingcomics #lettering #writingdialogue #editing #cochito #muertoverso https://www.instagram.com/p/BvqBjFJhged/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1ulboyg64ydnc

[swordandboardllc]

It’s Monday and you’re halfway through November! For you NaNoWriMo participants, remember to breathe, hydrate, eat, and stretch! For those of us not doing so, still remember that 🤣 And yes, this is one of the regularly occurring weird conversations in my household. Remember when you’re writing dialogue to read it aloud to make sure it sounds and reads well! Become a Patron today! Link in my bio. * * * #book #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #reading #read #readersofinstagram #disabledwriters #writersofinstagram #bibliophile #writing #writeeveryday #authorsofpatreon #nanowrimo#writingdialogue #writingtweets #tweets (at Orange County, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CWThxkIPa2U/?utm_medium=tumblr

[robyn-weightman]

Today's video is live! https://youtu.be/FHTadRRJwt8 . . . . . #writingtips #write #writing #amwriting #writer #author #bookstagram #youtuber #authortuber #writingadvice #dialogue #writingdialogue #distinctdialogue #characters #characterisation #books #booknerd #bookworm #bookdragon #bookobsessed #read #reader #reading #amreading https://www.instagram.com/p/CCGNEkjgXLB/?igshid=1r5nm82j0kadb

[tmsparrow]

Today I'm sharing an extra special video! 21 authors, myself included, are sharing our tips for writing dialogue for Wordstock 4, @storydtechtive 's YouTube writing seminar. ☺️ . Check the link in my bio for my seven tips, and then be sure to check out all the other awesome videos as well! ❤️ . . . . . . #writingadvice #writerscommunity #writersociety #writersofinstagram #amwriting #writingmom #writing #writingdialogue https://www.instagram.com/p/CBYgFmYjvhr/?igshid=1xxwqpfdocba3

[self-taughtscreenwriting]

(Juuust how far do you go to truly comprehend and arm your Story dynamics? Most just want it all to come out naturally and with not much more effort than the already usually viewed as a mountain that is writing🏔📝🏔I believe constant experimenting creates a quality comprehension mindset. Try as much “word” shut as possible and watch your abilities flourish like a Story Sense mind garden. Eventually.. you will be able to sustain and eat from it, but not if you always go for the easy routes, and/or flat out quit📚🦄#writerslunchtimetips #writersoulsupport #screenwriterspirit ) . Repost @outstanding.screenplays @karolinamullerofficial @thepowertolove @awaken_kundalini_energies_5d @killershortscontest ・・・ If the reader can clearly distinguish who is saying what then your dialogue is on point. Otherwise, you have some more rewriting to do. • What writing techniques are you using to create a unique language for each one of your characters? • • ⬇️❗️⬇️❗️⬇️❗️⬇️❗️⬇️❗️⬇️ Quentin Tarantino is one of the greatest at writing dialogue. All of his characters speak with a very distinctive voice. If you want to learn his methods for writing bulletproof dialogue go check out TIP-2 and TIP-3 in our video “6 Tips Screenwriters can learn from Pulp Fiction” LINK IN BIO! ⬆️❗️⬆️❗️⬆️❗️⬆️❗️⬆️❗️⬆️ • 🚨 CLICK ON: TIP-2 - 04:41 - Universal Human Topics 🚨 • 🚨 CLICK ON: TIP-3 - 06:48 - Characterisation 🚨 • 🔸Tag your fellow screenwriters in the comments who need to see this post!🔸 • • • • #screenplay #screenplaywriter #screenwriter #screenwriting #screenwritingtips #screenwritersofinstagram #quentintarantino #writingdialogue #dialogueoftheday #moviedialogue #dialoguewriter #dialogue101 #screenwritingsolutions #screenwritingadvice #screenwritingexercise #writingcommunity #writingtips #writingadvice #writingproblems #writersofig #writersfollowwriters #writerssupportingwriters #screenwriterscommunity #storybreachtv #storybreach #selftaughtscreenwriting #selftaughtuniverse https://www.instagram.com/p/B9CpoS7gn7q/?igshid=1h4c4sow436sx

[wottwin]

It's important to refill the well and read at times. When the writing just won't come, reading can bring it back. That said, if you're struggling, you can also write it down and amuse yourself years later when you come across said writing. . . . #flashfiction #writing #writingdialogue #dialogue #dialogueprompts #writingprompts #writingprompt #storyprompt #storyprompts #writestuff #keepwriting #keepcalmandwriteon #writelikecrazy #write #aspiringwriter #aspiringwriters #aspiringauthor #aspiringauthors #writingtip #writingtips #keepreading https://www.instagram.com/p/B5eBZfhggfE/?igshid=qnetfp1vedhx

[carriejonesbooks]

Why We Don't Use Real Life Dialogue in Our Books

Why We Don’t Use Real Life Dialogue in Our Books

This is from when Em was super young and I wrote it all out and saved it because that’s what I do.

There is a Halloween Sleep Over at my house. There are six 14-year-olds. They are making cheesy ghosts with olive faces. This is the dialogue. It is verbatim.  This is the reason why we don’t have perfectly accurate dialogue in our stories.

DIRECT CONVERSATION BEGINS NOW

Didn’t H — make…

[alexmakescomicsblog]

A couple of days away and its so hard to get back into the swing of things. Never leave a scene half finished! #comics #artwork #comicsart #comicbookart #comicbookartist #comicsartist #illustrations #drawing #draweveryday #digitalart #digitaldrawing #digitalpainting #writingdialogue #faces #drawinginprogress #workinprogress #wip https://www.instagram.com/alex_makes_comics/p/BvpEJ9HH8YU/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=5f4o1w1t6sgk

[danafraedrich]

New blog post! This week I discuss not just writing realistic dialogue (though that's how this all started) but also helpful dialogue. ⁠ Link in bio and here: https://ift.tt/2OgbvWr .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ #author #authorsofinstagram #authorsoftumblr #books #booksarelife #booksaremagic #bookstagram #bookstagramcommunity #bookstagrammer #fantasy #fantasyauthor #fantasywriter #indieauthor #read #reading #writer #writerscommunity #writerslife #writersofinstagram #writersoftumblr #yaauthor #yalit #yawriter #authorblog #writingblog #steampunkauthor #steampunkwriter #patreon #writingdialogue

[matthewhawkeldridge-blog]

Why Every Author Should Take an Acting Class.

I used to write stories with wonderful descriptive settings, lively action, and a favorable, multi-layered plot. And while the story was good, my characters were often underdeveloped. I took some acting classes, learned some acting methods, and started acting. Understanding how to act (and bring a character to life in the real world) has changed my writing forever. I now feel character development has become my strength. I suggest acting classes for every author of fiction. It will change you as a writer. #fiction #writing #novels #acting #writingdialogue #writingcharacters #characters #screenplays #scriptwriting #writingtips #fictionwriting #storytelling #shortstories #writingforfilm #writingscreenplays #charactercreation #actor #actingclasses #chubbucktechnique #chubbuck #writingtechniques #screenwriting #playwriting

[quintessenceofwords-blog]

Writing Tip Day 58👇👇 One of the best and easiest ways to reveal a character's backstory too is to do it via dialogue. You don't necessarily have to sit down and lay it all out in chunks, that's actually pretty overwhelming when writers do that. No, a good way to do it is to have a comment here, a reaction there, maybe a few lines of explanation through interactions with other characters. Let their backstory unfold as naturally as the current story. . . . . . . #writingtipday58 #writingadvice #writingtools #writingtip  #writinglessons #novelist  #novelhelp #writingnovels #writingstories #yaauther  #backstory #writingdialogue #writerlife #quotes #inspirationalquotes  #writersofinstagram #writersofig  #amwriting #amediting #authorlife #indieauthors  #nanowrimo #ilovewriting  #writerscorner #writersofinsta #writerscommunity #poetry #yalit #yabooks #poetofinstagram

[etheriabori]

fr

Things Real People Do in Dialogue (For Your Next Story)

Okay, let’s be real—dialogue can make or break a scene. You want your characters to sound natural, like actual humans talking, not robots reading a script. So, how do you write dialogue that feels real without it turning into a mess of awkward pauses and “ums”? Here’s a little cheat sheet of what real people actually do when they talk (and you can totally steal these for your next story):

1. People Interrupt Each Other All the Time In real conversations, nobody waits for the perfect moment to speak. We interrupt, cut each other off, and finish each other's sentences. Throw in some overlaps or interruptions in your dialogue to make it feel more dynamic and less like a rehearsed play.

2. They Don’t Always Say What They Mean Real people are masters of dodging. They’ll say one thing but mean something totally different (hello, passive-aggressive banter). Or they’ll just avoid the question entirely. Let your characters be vague, sarcastic, or just plain evasive sometimes—it makes their conversations feel more layered.

3. People Trail Off... We don’t always finish our sentences. Sometimes we just... stop talking because we assume the other person gets what we’re trying to say. Use that in your dialogue! Let a sentence trail off into nothing. It adds realism and shows the comfort (or awkwardness) between characters.

4. Repeating Words Is Normal In real life, people repeat words when they’re excited, nervous, or trying to make a point. It’s not a sign of bad writing—it’s how we talk. Let your characters get a little repetitive now and then. It adds a rhythm to their speech that feels more genuine.

5. Fillers Are Your Friends People say "um," "uh," "like," "you know," all the time. Not every character needs to sound polished or poetic. Sprinkle in some filler words where it makes sense, especially if the character is nervous or thinking on their feet.

6. Not Everyone Speaks in Complete Sentences Sometimes, people just throw out fragments instead of complete sentences, especially when emotions are high. Short, choppy dialogue can convey tension or excitement. Instead of saying “I really think we need to talk about this,” try “We need to talk. Now.”

7. Body Language Is Part of the Conversation Real people don’t just communicate with words; they use facial expressions, gestures, and body language. When your characters are talking, think about what they’re doing—are they fidgeting? Smiling? Crossing their arms? Those little actions can add a lot of subtext to the dialogue without needing extra words.

8. Awkward Silences Are Golden People don’t talk non-stop. Sometimes, they stop mid-conversation to think, or because things just got weird. Don’t be afraid to add a beat of awkward silence, a long pause, or a meaningful look between characters. It can say more than words.

9. People Talk Over Themselves When They're Nervous When we’re anxious, we tend to talk too fast, go back to rephrase what we just said, or add unnecessary details. If your character’s nervous, let them ramble a bit or correct themselves. It’s a great way to show their internal state through dialogue.

10. Inside Jokes and Shared History Real people have history. Sometimes they reference something that happened off-page, or they share an inside joke only they get. This makes your dialogue feel lived-in and shows that your characters have a life beyond the scene. Throw in a callback to something earlier, or a joke only two characters understand.

11. No One Explains Everything People leave stuff out. We assume the person we’re talking to knows what we’re talking about, so we skip over background details. Instead of having your character explain everything for the reader’s benefit, let some things go unsaid. It’ll feel more natural—and trust your reader to keep up!

12. Characters Have Different Voices Real people don’t all talk the same way. Your characters shouldn’t either! Pay attention to their unique quirks—does one character use slang? Does another speak more formally? Maybe someone’s always cutting people off while another is super polite. Give them different voices and patterns of speech so their dialogue feels authentic to them.

13. People Change the Subject In real life, conversations don’t always stay on track. People get sidetracked, jump to random topics, or avoid certain subjects altogether. If your characters are uncomfortable or trying to dodge a question, let them awkwardly change the subject or ramble to fill the space.

14. Reactions Aren’t Always Immediate People don’t always respond right away. They pause, they think, they hesitate. Sometimes they don’t know what to say, and that delay can speak volumes. Give your characters a moment to process before they respond—it’ll make the conversation feel more natural.

Important note: Please don’t use all of these tips in one dialogue at once.