5 tips for writing strong dialogue

What’s good, y’all?

Today, I want to talk today about an oft overlooked element of story: dialogue. 

We all know what dialogue is, so I’ll skip the definition and get right into it. 

The first place to start is that dialogue is absolutely not solely for conveying information. Not at all. That’s definitely one thing it does, but it should never be the lone purpose for a character speaking.

There are a few different things dialogue does and can do for your story. Let’s run through em. 

Number 1. 

Move the story. Whenever your characters speak, make sure it’s a for a reason. Conversation for it’s own sake isn’t fun for anyone to read. If people speak, give them something to say that advances the story. Let their dialogue move the story by making significant changes. That way when they speak, readers know to pay attention. Like one of those movies where you can’t go to the bathroom or you’ll miss something.

Number 2. 

Provide exposition. Characters can speak your backstory and other exposition to set up your story. Having a character say something like, “Well, she is your daughter,” or something sharper than that hopefully, is an easy way for a character to relay backstory. It’s helpful in early chapters when you’re introducing characters and you’re beginning to set up your story, but don’t overdo it. You don’t want characters to turn into narrators. You already have one of those. 

Number 3. 

Build your scene. You can certainly use your characters’ speech to create your setting. They can make astute comments about the environment that help you build your setting while also joining your setting and character for a moment. You can use this type of dialogue to do multiple other things on this list at the same time. 

Number 4. 

Show the Character. Your characters’ speech should always be purposeful and expose their character traits. You should never let your character say anything that doesn’t characterize themselves further in addition to whatever other purpose it is serving. Each of your characters should have their own speech patterns, idioms, expressions, tone, and voice that all serve to further show that character’s personality to the reader. 

Number 5. 

Foreshadow. Character speech can foreshadow events in the future. Let them offer subtle hints, not direct ones, about things that might happen next. Maybe a character says they’ve decided to by mace to protect themselves. That’s pretty hard foreshadowing that something’s not right. Keep it subtle and don’t use it too often, but it’s another way to use your dialogue. 

Happy writing!