This post is all about how to write better dialogue.
If we’re going to talk about how to write better dialogue, we have to talk about common dialogue mistakes that new authors make!
Sometimes, your dialogue ends up looking a little lazy. And you might not mean for it to, but as an editor, I’ve seen this happen time and time again—even with experienced writers.
So, here are 11 signs your dialogue is lazy — and how to fix it quick 🙂
First of all, if you find that you’re guilty of any of these signs of ‘lazy’ dialogue, just know that this post is NOT meant to shame you or make you feel like a bad writer. We can all use ways to improve our writing and my purpose here is to help you spot some weak points so that you can improve them for a stronger, more compelling story!
The purpose of this post is to help you write great dialogue that genuinely serves your story.
This post is all about how to write better dialogue.
What is the key to writing great dialogue?
At the end of the day, what’s most important when writing dialogue is to make it sound NATURAL.
Each character’s unique personality should shine through. Dialogue shouldn’t just be used to share information, but to deepen character relationships, help the reader understand each crucial element of the story, and bring out the personalities of the beloved characters that make up your story.
7 SIGNS OF LAZY DIALOGUE:
Sign 1: Info dumping
Info dumping is is where characters reveal information through dialogue solely for the benefit of the audience. Think: if this scene played out in real life, would someone actually say this?
A lot of the time, the answer is no. And if you want to write effective dialogue, then you need to make sure that it’s realistic and it’s something someone would actually say in real life.
There are lots of ways to share important information aside from dumping it all in your dialogue!
HOW TO FIX IT
If it sounds like a history lesson or the character is explaining something everyone in the scene already knows, cut it. Work the info in through action, implication, setting, or conflict instead. You can also spread it out over several scenes to avoid overload!
Sign 2: Lack of subtext
Dialogue that lacks underlying meaning; it’s too on-the-nose. In real conversations, people don’t always say exactly what they really mean—there’s usually something left unsaid.
HOW TO FIX IT
Ask, What does this character really want? What are they trying to hide or avoid?
Use body language, sarcasm, or contradiction between what’s said and what’s meant to create richer dialogue.
Sign 3: Cliches
Cliches are overused or predictable phrases.
Sometimes cliches are used in real-life dialogue, so it’s not always a bad sign! But you just have to be mindful of where and how you’re using it to ensure it’s intentional and purposeful.
HOW TO FIX IT
Rewrite the line in the character’s unique voice. How would they express this idea, based on their background, personality, and relationship with the other characters?
Sign 4: Sharing emotions directly
People don’t often offer up direct statements about their emotions in conversation. There are times when this might make sense based on context, but most of the time, it’s best to avoid characters stating their feelings, thoughts, or intentions too explicitly.
HOW TO FIX IT
Replace direct emotion with actions, metaphors, body language, or conflicting emotions. Instead of “I’m angry” maybe your character slams a cupboard, avoids eye contact, or tries cracking a joke that doesn’t land. Other characters can then react to this behaviour.
Sign 6: Overuse of names
When characters use each others’ names excessively so that the reader knows who they are speaking to, this often feels a little too formal and stiff. In real life, this info would be communicated through body language much of the time.
HOW TO FIX IT
Read the scenes out loud. If the name use feels unnatural or forced, it probably is. Trust your reader to follow the conversation, or insert body language cues where possible.
Sign 7: Extensive or unnatural monologues
Monologues can be BEAUTIFUL… but extended speeches by a single character aren’t always the best way to convey information-especially when they are by themselves or preventing another character from talking when it would be more natural to convey the same information through a back-and-forth conversation.
HOW TO FIX IT
Break the monologue into smaller chunks. Add interruptions, reactions, or beats of internal thought or physical action to keep your reader grounded in the scene.
Sign 8: Overuse of dialogue tags
Relying too heavily on dialogue tags (e.g. “he said,” “she replied”) instead of using actions and context to convey who is speaking? That will quickly create a monotone rhythm to your story that might just annoy your reader.
HOW TO FIX IT
Use action beats (“She fiddled with her sleeve,” “He leaned against the counter”) to show who’s speaking and what they’re feeling. Save dialogue tags for when clarity is absolutely essential.
Sign 9: Vanilla speech patterns
Every character will have slightly different word choice, speech patterns, inflections, and maybe even a signature line of dialogue.
To write realistic dialogue, make sure you understand each of your characters’ speech patterns. You want them to feel like they’re real people you know in real life!
HOW TO FIX IT
Think about your friends and family members. Think about the specific way people speak in a real-life conversation.
If you were to hear a friend or family member’s voice without seeing them, how would you know who it was?
Now, ask yourself that same question with each of your characters!
Sign 10: Too much small talk
Small talk is undoubtedly a part of real life, but your reader likely doesn’t want to hear it all.
Every scene and conversation in your story should serve a purpose. If you’re not showcasing a character’s emotions, deepening the relationship between two characters, or advancing the plot, then it might not be super high quality dialogue.
Small talk can be a great way to showcase introductions between characters and even split up the pacing, but we don’t need all of it!
HOW TO FIX IT
This one is simple… If it’s not serving a purpose, cut it!
Sign 11: Overuse of superfluous words
When you’re writing a story, every word matters. And in dialogue especially, using too many unnecessary or redundant words will just tire you reader.
Certain unnecessary words might be realistic, but that doesn’t mean they have to be included in all your dialogue.
For example, we all know a person who says the word “like” way too much (guilty, sometimes). But wouldn’t it drive you crazy to read a story where someone says “like” all the time in their dialogue?
Unless it’s meant to be a quirky, annoying, or relevant trait of a character, try to avoid using those kinds of words excessively in your dialogue unless it really makes sense to do so!
HOW TO FIX IT
Cut unnecessary words, unless there’s a reason you put them there intentionally. If you’re not sure whether a word is necessary, try reading the sentence without the word and see if it still makes sense! Or, replace the redundant word with a more specific, descriptive word.
