You know when you’re deep into a book, totally hooked, and then a character says something so off, so stiff or robotic, that you’re yanked right out of the story like someone pulled the emergency brake? It’s the worst.

The truth is, writing dialogue that sounds real isn’t as easy as just typing out a conversation. Real people say awkward things all the time. They stammer, interrupt, trail off, or leave their thoughts unfinished. But when you’re writing fiction, dialogue has to feel believable and serve the story. It’s a balancing act—and you’re not alone if you’re still figuring it out.

So, if you’ve ever looked at a conversation in your manuscript and cringed a little, welcome. You’re exactly where you’re supposed to be. Let’s take a look at how to write dialogue that feels natural, engaging, and—most importantly—authentic to your characters.

Why Dialogue Isn’t Just Talk

Dialogue does more than deliver information. It’s how readers get to know your characters—their values, emotions, relationships, and quirks. It’s also a tool for pacing, tension, humor, and even world-building. Whether it’s a whispered confession or a furious shouting match, dialogue breathes life into your story.

Think about your favorite scenes from books or movies. Chances are, there’s at least one unforgettable exchange of words that stuck with you—not just because of what was said, but how it was said. The rhythm. The tension. The voice. That’s the power of great dialogue.

1. Real Talk ≠ Realistic Dialogue

Let’s get this out of the way: dialogue in fiction isn’t (and shouldn’t be) an exact replica of real-life conversation.

If you transcribed an actual chat between two people at a coffee shop, it would be full of filler words, repetition, tangents, and awkward pauses. It would be a mess to read. In fiction, your job is to distill natural speech—not duplicate it. You want to capture the feeling of how people talk while keeping the pace and purpose of your scene in mind.

Ask yourself: Would someone actually say this? And just as importantly—do I need this line to move the story forward or deepen the scene?

A great tip is to read your dialogue aloud. If it trips you up, sounds unnatural, or makes you wince, trust your gut. You’ve got editing magic to do.

2. Your Characters Shouldn’t All Sound Like You

This one’s tricky, especially when you’re just getting started. As writers, we inevitably leave traces of ourselves on the page. That’s part of the beauty of storytelling. But when every character starts sounding like a slightly altered version of you? That’s a problem.

Your world-weary detective shouldn’t sound like your bubbly sidekick. A warrior princess raised on the battlefield shouldn’t speak like a modern-day college student. Giving each character a unique voice means paying attention to their backstory, worldview, and personality.

Some questions to help shape a character’s voice:

• Are they formal or casual?
  
• Do they use slang, idioms, or technical jargon?
  
• Do they interrupt others, or always wait their turn?
  
• Are they blunt, sarcastic, shy, over-the-top?
  

Even something as small as sentence length or word choice can make a character instantly recognizable. You want readers to know who’s speaking even without a tag—and that comes from consistent, distinct voices.

3. Cut the Small Talk (Most of the Time)

In real life, people greet each other with pleasantries. “Hey, how are you?” “Good, how are you?” “Did you catch the weather report?” But in fiction? Skip it—unless it serves a purpose.

If your dialogue includes long-winded small talk, readers may start skimming. Instead, get to the meat of the scene. That doesn’t mean your characters can’t ever have casual exchanges—but those moments should either reveal something deeper (tension, affection, awkwardness) or serve as a setup for the next beat in the story.

The best dialogue is purposeful. Every line should either:

• Advance the plot
  
• Reveal character
  
• Add/subvert tension
  
• Offer insight into relationships
  

If it’s not doing any of those, it might not need to be there.

4. Let Silence and Subtext Speak Volumes

One of the most powerful tools in dialogue writing isn’t what’s said—it’s what’s left unsaid.

People don’t always say what they mean. Sometimes they talk around their feelings. Sometimes they lie. Sometimes they can’t find the right words, so they let gestures or silences speak instead.

For example:

“You always show up when it matters.”

That line could mean love. Gratitude. Resentment. All of the above. The key is in the context—and the subtext.

Don’t be afraid to let your readers read between the lines. Trust them. Give them space to feel what your characters are feeling without spoon-feeding every emotion.

5. Action Beats > Fancy Dialogue Tags

You don’t need to sprinkle in “he exclaimed,” “she whispered,” or “they retorted” every other line. In fact, most of the time, a simple “said” will do the job—and vanish into the background, like it’s supposed to.

But even better? Replace some dialogue tags with action beats.

Instead of:

“I’m not coming with you,” she snapped.

Try:

“I’m not coming with you.” She crossed her arms and looked away.

The second version shows her emotion rather than just telling us—and gives the reader a visual anchor for the scene.

6. Dialogue Should Feel Alive, Even in Edits

Writing dialogue that flows takes practice—and plenty of revision. Don’t be surprised if the first draft of a scene feels clunky or flat. Dialogue is one of those areas where reading aloud, rewriting, and even improvising a bit in your head can work wonders.

Here are a few things to look out for during editing:

• Are you using too many words to say something simple?
  
• Do your characters repeat themselves too much?
  
• Could an emotion be shown instead of stated?
  
• Are all your characters sounding too similar?
  

Treat your dialogue like a sculpture. You’re chiseling away to find the most honest, vivid version of the scene hiding underneath.

Final Thoughts (and a Little Editing Magic)

Writing authentic dialogue isn’t about chasing perfection—it’s about capturing the heartbeat of your characters and letting their voices ring true. And like any skill, it gets easier (and more fun) the more you practice. So take a deep breath, trust your ear, and keep going—you’re building something magical, one conversation at a time.

Need a second pair of ears (or eyes) on your dialogue? At Once Upon a Manuscript, I specialize in helping fantasy and romance authors bring their characters to life on the page. Whether you’re stuck in awkward exchanges or just want to sharpen your scenes, I’m here to help. Check out my editing services or book a free discovery call today—we’ll make your story sing.