What Should Writers Try to Avoid When Writing Dialogue?

Introduction

As a writer, dialogue is an essential part of your craft. It’s a way for readers to connect with your characters, learn about their personalities, and move the plot forward. But it can also be difficult to master. In this article, we will explore what writers should try to avoid when writing dialogue, from overusing dialogue tags to not showing characterization through dialogue.

Overusing Dialogue Tags

The first mistake many writers make when crafting dialogue is to overuse dialogue tags. A dialogue tag is a phrase that identifies who is speaking, usually preceded by a comma. Examples include “he said,” “she asked,” and “they replied.” While dialogue tags are important for clarity, they can also become repetitive and distracting if used too often.

For example, consider the following passage:

“I’m so glad you came to visit,” he said. “It’s been too long,” he said. “I’ve missed you,” he said.

In this passage, the dialogue tag “he said” is used three times in a row, which becomes monotonous and takes away from the dialogue itself. To avoid this, try to use other words to indicate who is speaking, such as “exclaimed” or “murmured.” You can also omit the dialogue tag altogether if it is clear who is speaking.

When using dialogue tags, remember to vary them and only use them when necessary. This will help keep your dialogue interesting and engaging.

Making Dialogue Too On-the-Nose

Another mistake writers often make is writing dialogue that is too on-the-nose. On-the-nose dialogue is when characters say exactly what they are thinking or feeling without any subtlety. This kind of dialogue can feel forced and unnatural, making it difficult for readers to connect with your characters.

For example, consider the following passage:

“I love you so much,” he said. “I can’t believe how much I love you. Every day I think about how lucky I am to have you in my life.”

This dialogue is very on-the-nose and lacks any subtlety or nuance. To make it more natural, try adding specifics and details to the dialogue. For example:

“I love the way you laugh,” he said. “It always makes me smile. And I love spending time with you—it makes every day brighter.”

This dialogue is more specific and heartfelt, making it easier for readers to connect with the character. To avoid writing on-the-nose dialogue, focus on adding details and allowing your characters to express themselves naturally.

Not Showing Characterization Through Dialogue

Dialogue is a great tool for showing characterization. It can give readers insight into a character’s personality, motivations, and values, as well as how they interact with others. However, many writers struggle with showing characterization through dialogue.

For example, consider the following passage:

“Hi, how are you?” she said. “I’m good,” he replied.

This dialogue does not show any characterization. It is simply two people exchanging pleasantries. To make it more effective, add unique details that reflect the characters’ personalities. For example:

“Hey there!” she said cheerfully. “Long time no see,” he replied with a smile.

In this passage, the characters’ personalities are revealed through their word choice and tone of voice. To make your dialogue more effective, focus on adding details that reflect each character’s personality and values.

Ignoring Dialogue Rules of Grammar

Grammar is an important part of writing dialogue. Many writers make the mistake of ignoring basic grammar rules, such as punctuation and capitalization. This can lead to confusing and unclear dialogue, making it difficult for readers to understand.

For example, consider the following passage:

“hey whats up?” he said.

This dialogue has several grammar mistakes, including a lack of capitalization and improper punctuation. To make it more effective, follow standard grammar rules. For example:

“Hey, what’s up?” he said.

In this passage, the dialogue follows proper grammar rules, making it easier for readers to understand. To avoid grammar mistakes in your dialogue, remember to double-check your work and make sure it follows standard grammar rules.

Allowing Dialogue to Stall the Plot

Another mistake many writers make is allowing dialogue to stall the plot. Dialogue is an important part of storytelling, but it should not be used to fill up space or distract from the main story. Instead, it should be used to move the plot forward and reveal important information.

For example, consider the following passage:

“So, how was your weekend?” she asked. “It was okay,” he replied. “We went out to dinner with some friends, then watched a movie.”

This dialogue does not move the plot forward and does not provide any important information. To make it more effective, focus on adding details that reveal something about the characters or advance the plot. For example:

“So, how was your weekend?” she asked. “It was interesting,” he replied. “We ran into an old acquaintance and had a long conversation about our past.”

In this passage, the dialogue reveals something about the characters and advances the plot. To avoid stalling the plot with dialogue, focus on adding details that are relevant to the story.

Failing to Vary Sentence Lengths and Structures

Finally, many writers make the mistake of not varying sentence lengths and structures when writing dialogue. Varying sentence lengths and structures is important because it makes dialogue sound more natural and conversational. If all of your sentences are the same length and structure, it can become monotonous and difficult to read.

For example, consider the following passage:

“I’m tired,” he said. “I worked all day.” “That sounds rough,” she said. “It was,” he said.

In this passage, all of the sentences are short and simple. To make it more interesting, try varying the sentence lengths and structures. For example:

“I’m exhausted,” he said, rubbing his eyes. “I worked all day.” She sighed sympathetically. “That sounds rough.” He nodded. “It was.”

In this passage, the sentence lengths and structures are varied, making it more engaging and conversational. To make your dialogue more effective, focus on varying sentence lengths and structures.

Conclusion

Writing effective dialogue can be tricky, but with practice, it can become easier. In this article, we explored several common mistakes writers should try to avoid when crafting dialogue, such as overusing dialogue tags, writing on-the-nose dialogue, ignoring grammar rules, and more. Remember to keep these tips in mind when writing your next piece of dialogue and you’ll be sure to create something engaging and memorable.