Dialog is one of the most powerful tools in storytelling. It brings characters to life, moves the plot forward, and reveals emotions in ways that narration can’t. But as simple as it seems, writing realistic and engaging dialogue requires skill and finesse. If not handled carefully, it can come off as forced, awkward, or, worse, distracting. Here are some common mistakes to avoid when writing dialogue for your story:
1. Overusing Exposition
While dialogue is a great way to convey important information, avoid using it as an easy way to dump all your backstory on the reader. Characters don’t just talk about their past or explain the plot to each other unless it serves a specific purpose. Real conversations are filled with more than just necessary facts – they’re about emotions, motivations, and reactions. If your characters are speaking only to give the reader info, it might feel unnatural. It can help to think about your own coversation with friends and others in your everyday life.
What to do instead: Let your characters’ actions and internal thoughts reveal information naturally. Use dialogue to reveal how they feel about the events, not just what happened.
2. Writing “On-the-Nose” Dialogue
Dialog should reveal personality and subtext, not simply state the obvious. Saying exactly what a character feels or thinks can make them sound unrealistic. Imagine a conversation where a character just says, “I’m so angry right now,” or, “I can’t believe we’re stuck here.” Instead of telling the reader, show it through their actions, tone, and word choices.
What to do instead: Let your characters speak in ways that reflect their unique voice. Instead of stating emotions, show them through what they say (or don’t say) and how they say it. A clenched fist or a nervous laugh can speak volumes more than directly stating the emotion.
3. Lack of Unique Voices
Every character should have their own voice – one that reflects their background, personality, and current situation. If all your characters sound the same, it can make your story feel flat. A detective won’t speak the same way as a teenager or a philosopher. Pay attention to the tone, rhythm, and vocabulary that fit each character.
What to do instead: Develop each character’s voice based on their personality, background, and role in the story. A well-crafted voice can help your readers connect with each character and make the dialogue more engaging.
4. Using Dialogue as a Place for Long Monologues
Long, uninterrupted speeches can slow down the pacing and bore readers. While a character might deliver a heartfelt speech or explanation, too much of it can feel like “telling” rather than “showing.” Dialogue should be a back-and-forth exchange that keeps the energy of a scene alive.
What to do instead: Break up long speeches with interruptions, reactions, or physical actions. Let the conversation flow naturally with pauses, changes in tone, or reactions to keep the pacing engaging.
5. Forcing Dialogue to Be Witty or Clever
It’s tempting to make every line of dialogue witty, sharp, or clever, but this can quickly become exhausting. Not every conversation needs to be filled with zingers or punchlines. In fact, too much cleverness can distance readers from the emotional depth of the scene. Sometimes, silence or simple dialogue speaks louder than a joke.
What to do instead: Allow for moments of quiet or realistic small talk. Sometimes the most powerful exchanges happen when characters aren’t trying to outsmart one another but just being themselves.
6. Ignoring Subtext
Subtext is the heart of good dialogue – the hidden meaning beneath what is actually said. Characters often don’t say exactly what they mean, especially in tense or emotional situations. If all your dialogue is completely straightforward, you’re missing out on the opportunity for richer, more complex interactions.
What to do instead: Think about what your characters are really trying to say. What are they holding back? What do they want but can’t express openly? Let their words hint at deeper motivations and emotions.
Common Dialogue Mistakes (And What to Do Instead)
Examples curated by the help of AL.
| Don’t Do This | Do This Instead |
| 1. Overuse of Exposition – Characters deliver long speeches explaining the plot or their backstory. | 1. Show, Don’t Tell – Let the plot unfold naturally through actions and subtext. Let characters reveal information in pieces over time. |
| Example: “I remember when I was a child, we used to live in the country before the war started…” | Example: “I miss the fields. It’s not the same, living in the city. You know what I mean?” |
| 2. “On-the-Nose” Dialogue – Characters say exactly what they’re feeling or thinking. | 2. Use Subtext – Let the reader infer what the character feels based on their tone, actions, and pauses. |
| Example: “I’m so angry right now. I can’t stand this!” | Example: (Character clenches fists, voice trembling) “I should’ve known better…” |
| 3. Characters Sounding the Same – All characters speak in the same way, with no distinct voices. | 3. Give Each Character a Unique Voice – Let their background, personality, and role in the story shape how they speak. |
| Example: “I’m going to the store.” | Example: A teen: “I’m outta here. Gotta hit the store before it closes.” A business exec: “I’ll be heading to the store to pick up a few things. It’ll only take a moment.” |
| 4. Long Monologues – One character talks uninterrupted for too long. | 4. Break Up Long Speeches – Use interruptions, reactions, or physical actions to maintain pace and keep the conversation dynamic. |
| Example: “Well, you know, ever since I was a child I’ve always believed that…” (goes on for several paragraphs) | Example: “You know what I think about this, right?” (Character interrupts) “Actually, no, I don’t. But go on.” |
| 5. Forcing Cleverness or Wit – Every line of dialogue is a snappy comeback or a one-liner. | 5. Let Characters Be Real – Allow for natural, quieter moments and imperfect dialogue. Not every line needs to be a punchline. |
| Example: “Oh, you think you’ve got me figured out? Well, think again!” | Example: “I’m not even sure what I’m doing here.” |
| 6. Ignoring Subtext – Dialogue that is too clear-cut, with no hidden meaning or complexity. | 6. Make Dialogue Rich with Subtext – Let characters speak indirectly, with hidden motivations and feelings they don’t fully express. |
| Example: “I’m upset that you didn’t tell me about this sooner.” | Example: (Character takes a deep breath) “So… this is where we are now, huh?” |
Bad Dialogue vs. Better Dialogue Examples
| Bad Dialogue Example | What to Write Instead |
| 1. Stating the Obvious – “I’m so angry right now.” | 1. Show the Emotion – “His fists clenched, and his voice shook. ‘I can’t believe this.’” |
| 2. Unnatural Exposition – “As you know, we’ve been friends for 10 years, since we met at university.” | 2. Show, Don’t Tell – “I can’t believe you still remember that night. We were so drunk we didn’t even know what we were saying.” |
| 3. Too Much Information at Once – “I’ve been feeling depressed ever since my parents died, and it’s been really hard to get out of bed, and my job has been miserable, and I just don’t know how to deal with it anymore.” | 3. Break It Up – “Some days, getting out of bed feels like the hardest thing. And work—don’t get me started. I just… I don’t know what to do anymore.” |
| 4. Dialogue that Feels Like a Monologue – “Let me tell you about my life story. I grew up in a small town, and then I moved to the city, and I’ve always had this dream of becoming an artist, but it’s been tough…” | 4. Shorter, More Impactful Statements – “I’ve always wanted to be an artist. But this city… it’s a lot harder than I thought.” |
| 5. Stiff, Formal Speech – “I am going to the store to purchase groceries. It is my intention to acquire food for dinner.” | 5. Natural Speech – “I’m heading to the store. Need anything for dinner?” |
| 6. Cliché Dialogue – “I’ve got a bad feeling about this.” | 6. Original Expression – “Something about this doesn’t sit right with me.” |
| 7. Overuse of “said” – “She said angrily, ‘I can’t believe you did that.’” | 7. Use Action Beats – “She slammed her fist on the table. ‘I can’t believe you did that.’” |
| 8. Everyone Talking the Same – “I think we should go to the park tomorrow.” | 8. Different Voices for Different Characters – “Tommy: ‘Tomorrow, we hitting the park?’ Emily: ‘I don’t know, I’ve got a ton of work to catch up on.’” |
| 9. Characters Talking Just to Move the Plot Forward – “We need to find the key to unlock the door!” | 9. Make It Realistic and Character-Driven – “Why did you even bring me here? I thought we were going on vacation, not playing escape room!” |
| 10. Overuse of Jargon or Formal Terms – “The fiscal year is almost over, and I will need the quarterly reports by the designated deadline.” | 10. Make It Relatable – “We’re almost out of time. I need those reports, like, now.” |