Writing Dialogue That Sounds Real (But Better Than Real Life)

Introduction
We all know how real conversations sound: full of “ums,” interruptions, and wandering thoughts. But when you put that on the page, it becomes boring. Writing dialogue is about capturing the illusion of reality—enough that readers believe in it, while trimming away the clutter.

What Dialogue Should Do
Every line of dialogue should serve at least one of three purposes:

1. Reveal character

2. Advance the plot

3. Add tension or conflict

If it doesn’t do any of these, cut it.

Listen to How People Talk
Writers often fall into the trap of making characters sound like robots. One way to fix this is by eavesdropping—listen to how people order coffee, argue at bus stops, or chat with friends. Pay attention to rhythm, slang, and pauses.

Conflict Creates Energy
Good dialogue thrives on disagreement. Even two best friends rarely talk without subtle conflict: “You’re late again.” “Traffic was bad.” “It always is, isn’t it?” That tension keeps readers engaged.

Use Subtext, Not Just Words
People rarely say what they mean directly. A character might say, “I’m fine,” while slamming a door. Readers pick up the true meaning in what’s unsaid.

Avoid Info Dumps
Dialogue shouldn’t sound like a Wikipedia article. If your characters explain too much (“As you know, brother, our kingdom has been at war for 200 years…”), readers roll their eyes. Reveal world details naturally, through conflict and action.

Formatting Matters
Break up long speeches. Add action beats (“She stirred her tea”) to ground the conversation. Keep paragraphs short for readability.

Examples from Great Writers

• In Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, much of the tension comes from witty, sharp exchanges.

• In Ernest Hemingway’s stories, dialogue is short, clipped, and heavy with subtext.

Conclusion
Great dialogue feels natural, but it’s crafted with precision. Remember: real conversations are messy. Your job is to make them believably messy, but sharper, funnier, and more revealing than real life.