Let’s be honest. Writing dialogue that sounds natural, moves your story forward, and doesn’t make readers cringe? It’s harder than it looks.
When I started writing fiction back in college, my characters either sounded like stiff robots or overly dramatic soap opera extras. Learning how to write a dialogue that felt real took time. The good news? You don’t have to figure it out on your own.
In this post, I’ll break down everything I’ve learned from the types of dialogue that drive a scene to the structure, punctuation, and common mistakes to avoid. I’ll also show you a few moments where JustDone’s tools can save the day when your dialogue just isn’t working.
Let’s dive in.
What Is Dialogue and Why It Matters in Writing
Dialogue is the verbal exchange between characters in a story, screenplay, or play. But it's not just there to fill space.
Done right, dialogue does a lot of heavy lifting:
- Reveals character traits and motivations
- Moves the plot forward
- Creates tension or conflict
- Makes your story feel more immersive
Think of it this way: great dialogue lets readers listen in on your story, not just read it.
Types of Dialogue: Not All Conversations Are Created Equal
Before you write a single line, it helps to know the different types of dialogue you might use. Each serves a different purpose.
- Direct Dialogue
This is what most people think of spoken lines between characters.
Example:
“I can’t believe you did that,” she said. - Indirect Dialogue
Summarizes what was said, without quoting it exactly.
Example:
She told him she couldn’t believe what he did. - Internal Dialogue
The character's thoughts, often used in first-person or third-person limited POV.
Example:
“I should’ve seen this coming,” he thought. - Monologue
A long speech by one character, often used in plays or dramatic moments in fiction.
Understanding these types of dialogue helps you decide what’s most effective for your scene. Read more about how to write a monologue in my previous article.
How to Structure Dialogue in a Story
Getting the structure right helps your writing feel polished and easy to follow.
Here’s a simple formula that works for most dialogue lines:
“Spoken line,” + [dialogue tag like he said/she asked] + optional action or emotion.
Example:
“I’m not going,” she whispered, her fingers tightening around the suitcase.Key Points to Remember:
- Start a new paragraph every time a new character speaks.
- Keep tags simple: said, asked, replied usually do the trick.
- Mix in beats (character actions or facial expressions) to show emotion.
If you’re unsure about structure or your lines feel flat, JustDone’s Dialogue Polisher tool can suggest smoother, more natural rewrites based on your genre.
Dialogue Punctuation and Format: The Essentials
This is where a lot of beginners trip up. Let’s break it down:
- Use double quotation marks (“ ”) for direct speech.
“That’s a terrible idea,” he said. - Punctuation goes inside the quotation marks if it ends the sentence.
“I’m serious,” she snapped. - Use commas before dialogue tags unless the dialogue ends in a question mark or exclamation point.
“Do you even care?” he asked. - Quotes within quotes? Use single quotation marks (‘ ’) inside double ones.
“He literally said, ‘I quit,’ and walked out.”
Need a sanity check? JustDone’s grammar checker can catch these subtle mistakes before they go public.
How to Start a Monologue or Conversation Naturally
You know what instantly makes dialogue awkward? Starting with exposition dumps or stilted intros.
Try This Instead:
- Start in media res mid-conversation.
- Let the reader pick up the context from tone and subtext.
- Use questions or conflict to open strongly.
Bad Start:
“Hello, John. How are you this fine afternoon in April, after such a long time apart?”
Better Start:
“You’re late.”
John didn’t even look up. “Traffic.”
“You always say that.”
Catch the difference?
Things to Avoid When Writing Dialogue
Here are some common traps I fell into early on and how you can steer clear.
- Overusing Names
People don’t say each other’s names every sentence.
Wrong:
“Hey, Sarah.”
“Yes, John?”
“What do you think, Sarah?” - Too Much Exposition
Avoid using dialogue to dump background info. Show it through action and implication. - Unnatural FormalitY
People don’t talk like essays. Let them interrupt, pause, or say “um” sometimes. - Too Many Fancy Dialogue Tags
You don’t need to use exclaimed, declared, retorted, or opined said is often enough.
Dialogue Examples That Work
Let’s look at a couple of short exchanges that show effective dialogue in action.
Example 1: Conflict-Driven
“You're going without me?”
“You said you didn't care.”
“That's not what I meant.”Example 2: Subtext-Heavy
“I saw your car last night.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah. Parked outside her place.”Each word is doing work, building tension, emotion, or suspense.
How JustDone Can Help in Dialogue Emergencies
Every writer hits a wall with dialogue. Here are two moments when I turned to JustDone:
- When My Dialogue Sounded Flat
I ran a few clunky lines through the Style Rewriter, and it offered cleaner, more in-character options without changing my intent. - When I Was Unsure If It Felt “Human” Enough
The AI Humanizer helped ensure my conversations didn’t feel robotic, especially when I was editing too fast.
Tools like these don’t replace your voice, they amplify it.
Final Thoughts: Writing Dialogue That Sticks
Mastering dialogue takes patience. But the payoff? Richer characters, tighter scenes, and stories that come alive. So the next time you’re wondering how to write a dialogue that feels right, remember:
- Focus on rhythm and subtext
- Don’t force it, listen to how people really talk
- Let tools like JustDone help polish when you’re stuck
Dialogue is where characters breathe. Make sure they sound like they’re alive.
