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#creative writing prompts

bunnyswritings · 1 year

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Saying "I love you" without saying "I love you" — some ways your otp can silently express affection

Forehead kisses, and smiling through the kiss

Resting their forehead on the other’s after a kiss

Tucking strands of loose hair behind their ears, with a thumb caressing their cheek

Interlacing their fingers with the other’s when they least expect it

Sleepy back hugs when the other person is busy whipping up breakfast in the kitchen, catching them by surprise

Just doing their own things in the same space; being so comfortable around the other even in their pyjamas

Holding both their hands while holding their gaze gently, just before leaning in for a kiss

Switching positions with the other when walking down a busy sidewalk because your feel the need to keep the other safe

Being playfully clingy in the mornings when one has an off day and the other has to rush to work

Getting them something from the store when they only mentioned it in passing

When one is overseas for a work trip and everything they see reminds them of the other person (bonus: whenever it happens, they take a picture and drop the other person a text.)

Squeezing their hand reassuringly and holding their hand throughout an intense social situation (eg. a large school reunion which the more introverted person is dreading)

Kissing away their tears

^ and letting the other cry on their shoulder even when their t-shirt gets soaked from their tears

Meeting them where they are, mentally and emotionally; never forcing them to do anything they aren’t comfortable with

Wholeheartedly supporting their dreams, and putting that into action by making concrete plans for it to happen

Dropping the other person an encouraging text before an important interview/event

Surprising the other with flowers just because; no occasion and no reason needed

Picking the other person up from work when it’s getting late, and walking them right to their doorstep after

Good morning and goodnight texts

Making the other person a Spotify playlist with songs that remind them of their relationship and growth

Remembering the littlest of things — activities they like and dislike, favourite brands of stationery, go-to ice cream flavour, choice of popcorn

Writing little notes on post-its and leaving them in random pages of their textbook, so that they will get a little endorphin boost when studying

#writing #writing prompts #bunnyswritings #creative writing #writeblr #otp prompts #prompts #fanfiction prompts #new writer boost #creative writing prompts #imagine your otp #love langauges #fluff #romance prompts #fluff prompts

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unboundprompts · 6 months

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Hello! If it’s not too much trouble, would you be willing to discuss how to describe a character with nonhuman features? Such as wings, specifically? Thank you!

Prompts for Describing a Character with Wings

-> @she-who-fights-and-writes made an in-depth post about writing a character with wings with many helpful tips to remember while writing. They also include a list of vocabulary to describe the movement of wings based on the character's emotions. Their post can be found Here.

-> @kedreeva made a post regarding the science behind a character having wings, including anatomy of the wings themselves and the feathers. They also dive into info about preening, molting, nesting, etc. That post can be found Here.

-> feel free to edit and adjust pronouns as you see fit.

He was a handsome guy with sharp features, but she couldn't keep her eyes off of his wings. They sprouted from his back like two extra limbs that he could control at will, with long, silky black feathers like a raven.

The feathers of her wings flared when she was angry, making her appear bigger than she was.

They had wings like a hummingbird that fluttered just as fast as his heart when he saw them.

He hated his wings sometimes. They were big and bulky and never useful to him when he was on the ground. He groaned as he bent to pick up the things his wings had managed to knock off the shelf, only to have them swipe a few more items from the counter and onto the floor.

Her wings were neatly folded behind her back, tucked close. At a sudden noise behind her, she jolted, her wings shooting out to display her full wingspan. Her heart pounded in her chest, her feathers twitching as she searched for the source of the noise.

The wings on their back gently shifted, hovering over her head to shield her from the rain.

His wings stretched out to their full wingspan as a last minute attempt to keep himself from falling.

She felt free when she was in the air, her wings finally able to stretch out to their full potential. She felt so trapped on the ground sometimes, forced to keep them folded so they don't get in the way.

God, he thought they were beautiful. They were an angel, had to be. An angel blessed with the prettiest wings he had ever seen on a person, sprouting gently from their back like a waterfall of feathers.

If you like what I do and want to support me, please consider donating! I also offer editing services and other writing advice on my Ko-fi!

#writing prompts #creative writing #writeblr #prompt list #story prompt #prompts #how to write #how to write a character with wings #writing inspiration #writing community #creative writing prompts #writing blog #writing ideas #writing prompt #ask box prompts #winged character #character inspiration #character idea

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thewriteadviceforwriters · 1 month

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15 Beautiful Lover-to-Enemies Dialogue Prompts | Betrayal Prompts

"Do you remember the vows we made under the moon's gentle glow? How quickly they turned to ash, scattered by the winds of deceit."

"Your words were once my solace, but now they cut deeper than any blade forged in malice."

"In the labyrinth of our love, I found myself lost, only to realize you were the minotaur lurking in the shadows."

"Every kiss we shared was a dagger coated in honey, sweet yet deadly."

"The stars witnessed our passion, but they now mock our folly as we stand on opposite sides of a war we ourselves ignited."

"Our hearts beat as one, once upon a time. Now they drum the rhythm of discord and resentment."

"I thought I knew the depths of your soul, only to find abysses of betrayal waiting to devour me whole."

"Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, I emerge from the ruins of our love, reborn as your adversary."

"You were the melody to my symphony, but now your discordant notes shatter the harmony we once shared."

"We danced on the edge of oblivion, oblivious to the precipice that awaited our descent into enmity."

"The echoes of our laughter haunt me, mocking the innocence we thought would shield us from the venom of betrayal."

"Our love was a tapestry woven with threads of gold, now unraveling into a tangled web of lies and deception."

"I offered you my heart on a silver platter, only for you to feast upon it with the appetite of a ravenous beast."

"We were poets of passion, crafting verses of devotion with every whispered promise. Now our words are weapons, dripping with venomous intent."

"The sunrise that once painted our love with hues of warmth and hope now heralds the dawn of our animosity, casting long shadows of regret across the battlefield of our hearts."

Short Note From Me!

Many fans of Enemies to Lovers often overlook the possibility of exploring Lover to Enemies. This underrated trope is one of my favorites and I believe it has the potential to make a novel truly stand out. If you have space in your story for this unique twist, I assure you it will result in an amazing read.

I created these dialogue prompts to inspire writers to explore the theme of lovers turning into enemies, showcasing a different form of betrayal.

Happy writing - Rin T.

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seafoam-icecream · 5 months

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“What was that? You were just giving up?!”

“You…saved my life.”

“Well, you clearly weren’t going to save yourself.”

“There was no other way.”

“No, you had plenty of time to stop me without having to die.”

“I was under a lot of pressure, no thanks to you, so excuse me if I couldn’t come up with a better solution.”

“You do look terrible, and it’s not because of me. What’s going on? This isn’t like you.”

#dialogue prompts #story prompts #writing prompts #creative writing prompts #superhero prompts #heroes and villains #hero x villain

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projecttreehouse · 2 years

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writing warm-ups

do you wake up and immediately go to work? no! you have coffee and breakfast first, you wash your face, you get dressed. similarly, you have to warm yourself up before facing a writing challenge. warm-ups are also a great way to fight writers' block. here are some ways to do this:

-keysmash poem; mash that keyboard until you get 6-12 random letters. these are the first letters of each line of a poem you will write. oh, you say you're not a poet? i didn't ask! just mash that keyboard and cough a poem up and never read it again. -letter to the editor; pick a topic that pisses you off. the smaller and more arbitrary, the better. write a paragraph detailing the issue to a neutral third party with as much passive aggression as you can muster. -rewrite; grab a random page of some old project of yours and rewrite it. really think about what you like and dislike about that page, look at it from a new perspective, twist it around until it's different-- doesn't matter if the rewrite is better or worse, because you aren't editing here. you're just getting your gears spinning. -fictionalize it; think of something that happened to you, like a brief interaction with a stranger or a funny mix up at work. turn it into a one-page scene. -dream journal; record an interesting dream. list out details you can remember, or write it like a journal entry, or wax poetic about what it all means. -shitty fanfiction; self explanatory. the more self-indulgent, the better. set a timer for ten minutes, blast off, and then pretend it never happened. -deleted scenes; think about the in between moments of your project. write an email from one of your main characters, or a scene from their childhood, or a text conversation log, really anything that you wouldn't put in your main work. -confessional; pick a fictional character, yours or one from a piece of media you love. write their ten confessions in as much detail as you want.

happy writing! let us know if you try any of these, and reblog if you find this helpful!

#writing #writing tips #writing advice #writing warm up #writing prompts #prompts #fanfic advice #writer #writers block #nanowrimo #novel writing #writers of tumblr #writeblr #creative writing #creative writing prompts

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dialogue-prompts-world · 11 months

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Villainous Dialogue Prompts

List by @dialogue-prompts-world

"You underestimate my power."

"Fear is such a delightful sensation, isn't it?"

"There's no escaping your fate, my dear."

"I'll enjoy watching your world crumble at my feet."

"Weakness is a luxury I cannot afford."

"Every hero needs a worthy adversary, and that's where I come in."

"Your suffering brings me immense pleasure."

"In the end, everyone will bow before me."

"Hope is a cruel joke, meant to torment the feeble-minded."

"I thrive on chaos, and your pitiful attempts to stop me only fuel it."

"Your precious little morality is nothing but a hindrance."

"To defeat me, you'll have to embrace the darkness within yourself."

"I control the strings of destiny, and you are just a puppet in my grand design."

"There is no redemption for you or anyone else foolish enough to oppose me."

"Once I'm done, there won't be a trace left of your pitiful existence."

"My power knows no bounds. Resistance is futile."

"I relish in the misery of others. It's a beautiful symphony."

"I'm not interested in ruling the world; I want to watch it burn."

"Your loved ones will suffer dearly for your insolence."

"To challenge me is to invite your own destruction."

"The weak are meant to be crushed. It's the law of nature."

"Your hope is nothing but a flickering flame, ready to be extinguished."

"Despair is my most loyal ally, and it will consume you."

"I will dismantle everything you hold dear and leave you with nothing."

"Heroes are just tragic figures awaiting their inevitable downfall."

"There is no good or evil; only power and those too weak to seek it."

"My legacy will be etched in the annals of history, while yours will be forgotten."

"You cling to righteousness like a drowning man clings to a life preserver."

"The world needs me, even if it doesn't realize it yet."

"Remember this moment, for it's the last time you'll ever feel hope."

Feel free to adapt or modify these phrases to suit your villain.

Follow me for more!

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nchant6dkitty · 1 year

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Disastrous date ideas

Something happens that upsets one of the characters and they come to the date feeling angry/upset/ crying.

One of them confesses that they don't love or have any feelings for the other.

They break up during the date.

Someone else your character likes comes to the same place with their date and your character gets jealous

One of them dumps the other during the date

Friends of your character comes to the same place and tease or watch your characters from another table

Your characters make a reservation but when they arrive they're informed there are no free tables.

One of your character creates a romantic setting and cooks meals but unknown to them, the other dislikes the food or is allergic to it.

One of your characters knocks down a drink and it spills.

One of your character is served meal they hate.

Character finds out something horrible about the other that hurts them.

Chr A unintentionally takes Chr B to their workplace

Another character ruins the date. ( An enemy / ex etc)

Chr A gets a panic attack or traumatic flashback from a triggered memory

Someone who wronged or hurt one of the characters in the past sees them

A fight breaks out between two characters.

Chr A calls B the wrong name.

Characters find something disgusting in their food.

A bird poops on one of the characters

They're attacked by insects.

Chr A takes B to a place they dislike.

Chr A realizes B prefers going out with another person.

Chr A learns something disappointed about B.

A new waiteress mixes their orders or spills their food/ drink on one of them

Characters start arguing and one of them hurts the other's feelings.

The weather is awful the whole time.

Characters arrive at the place of their date only to find out it's closed.

One of the characters is stood up unintentionally.

An ex makes an appearance.

Something one of them eats sets off an allergy.

The whole time, one of them doesn't realize it's supposed to be a date.

#writing prompts #creative writing prompts #creative writing ideas #story ideas #story prompt #story prompts #writers on tumblr #writeblr #otp prompts #romance writing prompts #romance prompts

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vampbittentbh · 1 year

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Silly fantasy/supernatural couple prompts

(can fully be abt 2 platonic friends messing around too if you try hard enough.)

Helping a birdfolk to preen their feathers.

Having to chase their werewolf S/O around the city like a loose dog during full moon. Nothing harmful will happens, just making sure they aren't eating out of garbage cans and breaking public property.

Testing out a list of vampire powers and weakness they found online with their recently bitten partner.

Mermaids have never been to a water park, but have heard so well about it from humans. So your partner hatch a plan to get into one for your first date.

"A Shapeshifter? Prove it." "I can turn into you." "I see myself in the mirror every day, do someone cool."

You and your, also wizard, partner have been on a declared prank war on the past days. But it might have gotten out of hand since they pulled out the alchemy potions for it.

Adopting a ghost puppy together.

#supernatural prompts #writing #writing prompts #story prompt #creative writing #writeblr #otp prompts #prompts #fanfiction prompts #creative writing prompts #imagine your otp #fluff #romance prompts #fluff prompts #writers on tumblr #otp writing #supernatural #werewolfs #vampire

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bunnyswritings · 1 year

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50 (unconventional) date ideas for your otp

Attend an art fair together

Go on a hot air balloon ride

Furniture shopping date at Ikea

Visit an aquarium and have dinner in an underwater restaurant

Have a picnic at sunrise or sunset

Play 20 questions to get to know the other better

Take a pottery class together

Attend a silent disco party

Go indoor skydiving / bungee jumping

Take an aerial yoga class

Rent a couple bike and ride around town

Attend a poetry / book event

Have fun at a board game cafe

Visit a psychic and have fortunes read

Have a dine in the dark experience

Take a cooking / baking class together

Challenge each other at arcade games

Have a home movie night with popcorn and homemade nachos

Ice-skating when one doesn't know how to

Take a painting class / go for an art jam session together

Attend a play together

Go scuba diving together

Take a dance class together

Visit an animal sanctuary / shelter to volunteer together

Go for a kayaking adventure

Go to a comedy show

Organise a get-together potluck event with friends

Go to a drive-in movie theatre

Attend a beer or wine tasting event

Go to an escape room together

Visit an amusement park

Go stargazing at a local observatory

Visit an art museum or gallery and have their caricatures drawn

Assemble a lego set together

Go on a scenic drive and have a picnic

Go on a nature trail walk together

Go camping together

Attend a themed costume party

Go to a local fair or festival

Take a horseback riding lesson together

Pet-sit a friend's pet together for a day

Play mini golf together

Have a spa day together

Take a sailing lesson together

Go rock climbing / bouldering together

Go to a karaoke bar

Take a sushi making class together

Visit an old bookstore or library

Play a game of laser tag

#writing #writing prompts #bunnyswritings #creative writing #writeblr #otp prompts #prompts #fanfiction prompts #new writer boost #creative writing prompts #imagine your otp #fluff #romance prompts #fluff prompts #first date ideas #date ideas #otp writing

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unboundprompts · 2 months

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Book Title / Chapter Title Ideas

-> a masterpost for book and chapter title ideas

-> feel free to send requests

If you like what I do and want to support me, please consider buying me a coffee! I also offer editing services and other writing advice on my Ko-fi! Become a member to receive exclusive content, early access, and prioritized writing prompt requests.

Vampire / Werewolf Titles

Wild West/Cowboy Titles

Liminal Space Titles

Space Themed Titles

#writing prompts #creative writing #writeblr #book titles #title ideas #title suggestions #title list #book title ideas #writing ideas #writing inspiration #creative writing prompts

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thewriteadviceforwriters · 10 months

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The Writer's Guide to Mastering Dialogue

You've heard it a thousand times—show, don't tell. One of the most effective ways to do this in your writing is through dialogue. Dialogue helps bring your story and characters to life, propels the action forward, and engages readers. But crafting realistic, compelling dialogue is an art form that takes practice. Don't worry, Rin's got you covered. In this guide, you'll discover techniques for writing dialogue that sparkles. You'll learn how to make conversations sound natural, differentiate character voices, convey subtext and emotion, and use dialog for exposition. By the end, you'll be writing dialogue with confidence and watching your characters come to life on the page. So grab a cup of coffee or mocha (my favorite), settle in, and let's chat about the art of conversation.

Why Dialogue Matters in Your Novel

Dialogue is one of the most powerful tools in a writer's arsenal. It brings your story to life and creates realistic characters that readers can connect with. If you want to master the art of fiction writing, you need to know how to write compelling dialogue.

Dialogue reveals character and moves the story forward. Through dialogue, readers get a sense of your characters' personalities, backgrounds, and motivations. It's a chance to show, not tell, what your characters are like. Dialogue also propels the action and builds suspense, as characters chat about the events unfolding in the story.

There are a few keys to crafting believable and engaging dialog:

•Make it sound natural. Listen to real conversations for inspiration. Dialogue should flow and feel spontaneous, not stiff or forced. Use contractions, interruptions, and imperfect speech.

•Give each character a unique voice. The way people speak depends a lot on their background, education level, profession, and personality. Capture the subtleties of different speaking styles to bring your characters to life.

•Use dialogue tags and actions. Adding "he said/she said" and descriptions of characters' actions and expressions during conversations helps readers keep track of who's talking and provides context. Use a variety of tags like asked, exclaimed, and murmured.

•Move the conversation along. Keep dialog concise and avoid unnecessary filler words. Get to the point so readers stay interested in what's being said. Dialogue should always move the story forward.

•Show tension and conflict. Interesting conversations often involve disagreement, sarcasm, arguing, or questioning. Create tension through dialogue to keep readers engaged.

With the right techniques, you can make dialogue a pivotal part of your story. So listen, observe, and practice the art of great conversation - your readers will thank you!

Developing Distinctive Character Voices Through Dialogue

To develop distinctive voices for your characters, focus on how they speak. Dialogue is one of the best ways to bring your characters to life and propel your story forward.

Pay attention to your characters’ backgrounds, experiences, education levels, and attitudes. All of these factors influence how people talk in real life, so apply that to your characters. Maybe your wise-cracking character uses a lot of humor and sarcasm, while your shy character speaks hesitantly in short sentences.

Listen for speech patterns, accents, and catchphrases in real conversations and note them for inspiration. Capture the rhythm and flow of natural dialogue.

Give each character their own vocabulary based on their interests, jobs, and lifestyles. The tech geek’s dialogue will differ from the history professor’s.

Establish characters’ voices from their first lines of dialog. Look for a memorable way for them to express themselves. The impatient character may frequently use phrases like “spit it out already!” while the pessimist’s go-to is “what could possibly go wrong?”

Use dialog to reveal aspects of characters’ personalities and backgrounds without telling readers directly. Show, don’t tell. For example, a character who says “please” and “thank you” in every sentence likely has a polite and courteous nature.

Read dialogue aloud to make sure it sounds natural. Get friends or family members to read different characters’ lines. If anything sounds off, rework it.

With practice, crafting distinct voices for your characters through dialog will become second nature. Your characters' voices, conveyed through the words they say and the way they say them, will make your story come alive for readers. So take the time to get to know your characters by how they speak. Their voices are worth developing.

Using Dialogue to Reveal Character

Reveal Character Through Dialogue

Dialog is one of the best ways to reveal details about your characters and show their personalities. Carefully crafted conversations can expose a character's background, values, education level, and more without telling the reader outright.

As your characters talk, think about what kinds of words and phrases they would use based on who they are. An older British gentleman will speak very differently than a teenage skateboarder from California. Listen to people with similar backgrounds and life experiences to your characters for inspiration.

Also consider:

The rhythm and cadence of their speech. Do they speak quickly or slowly? Formally or casually?

Their vocabulary. Does your character use complex words and jargon or simpler language?

Grammar and pronunciation. Does your character follow the rules or have their own way of speaking?

For example, here's a short exchange that shows the contrast between two characters:

Jenny (teenage skateboarder): "Hey, you gonna drop in on the half pipe today or just pose by the ramp again?"

Mr. Edwards (older British gentleman): "I'm afraid vert skating is a young man's game, my dear. I'm quite content to watch you whippersnappers from the sidelines."

Even from this brief conversation, you get a sense of each character's age, background, and attitude without the author explicitly telling you. Mastering the art of subtext in dialog will make your stories come alive and allow readers to discover the depth in your characters for themselves.

Driving the Plot Forward With Meaningful Dialogue

To keep your readers engaged, your dialog needs to propel the story forward. Meaningful exchanges between characters should reveal information, create conflict, and raise the stakes.

Share Relevant Details

Use dialogue as an opportunity to share important details about the characters, their relationships, backstories, and the world they inhabit. For example:

“Did you hear they’re raising tuition again next semester?” Jenny asked.

“Ugh, not again,” Mark groaned. “How are we supposed to afford another five percent?”

This exchange informs the reader that Jenny and Mark are college students struggling with the costs. Look for natural ways to slip in context through dialog without sounding forced.

Create Conflict

Interesting stories thrive on tension, disagreement, and clashing perspectives. Have your characters bicker, argue, and challenge each other. For example:

“You never listen to me!” Alice shouted. “You always have to be right.”

“I’m not trying to be right,” Brian retorted. “I’m trying to protect you, but you’re too stubborn to see that.”

The quarrel fuels the underlying conflict in their relationship and keeps readers wondering how they’ll resolve their differences.

Raise the Stakes

Use meaningful dialog at key moments to increase the urgency, suspense or importance of what’s happening in the story. For example:

“The test results came back—it’s not good news,” the doctor said grimly.

Not only does this distressing announcement raise the stakes for the character’s health issue but it also creates a cliffhanger, leaving the reader wondering about the diagnosis and anxiously awaiting more details.

Meaningful dialog is essential for crafting an engaging story. Use it to inform readers, create conflict between characters, raise the stakes, and propel the plot toward a climax. With practice, writing authentic dialog will become second nature.

Creating Tension and Conflict Through Dialogue

To keep readers engaged, effective dialog should create tension and conflict between characters. As in real life, the conversations in your story should have stakes and push characters outside their comfort zone.

Show underlying tensions

Have characters disagree and argue to reveal underlying tensions. For example:

“You never listen to me. It’s always about what you want.”

“That’s not fair and you know it. I’ve sacrificed a lot for this family.”

This type of emotionally-charged exchange shows the couple has deeper issues to work through regarding resentment and lack of appreciation.

Create awkward situations

Put characters in awkward situations through dialog to ramp up the tension. For example:

“How’s the job search going?”

“Um, still looking. The market’s tough right now.”

“Really? I heard your company is hiring. I put in a good word for you with some people I know there.”

“Oh. Thanks, I guess.”

The second character is now in the difficult position of admitting the job search isn’t going well and they don’t actually have any leads. This cringeworthy moment translates the tension to readers.

Issue challenges and ultimatums

Have characters challenge each other by issuing warnings, demands or ultimatums, for example:

“If you walk out that door, we’re through. I mean it this time.”

“Don’t threaten me. You need me more than I need you.”

Throwing down the gauntlet in this way forces characters to back up their words with actions, which heightens the tension and conflict. Readers will keep reading to see who comes out on top!

Using dialog that highlights tension, creates awkwardness, and issues challenges is a great way to craft page-turning scenes that keep readers on the edge of their seats. Mastering the art of writing gripping dialogue is key to writing a story that resonates.

Avoiding Common Dialogue Mistakes

One of the biggest mistakes new writers make is crafting unrealistic or clichéd dialog. Your characters’ conversations should flow naturally and sound believable to readers. Avoid these common dialog doners:

Repeating Characters' Names

In real life, we rarely use someone's name in every sentence when talking to them. Only use a character's name when beginning a new exchange or for emphasis. Repeating names too often makes the dialog sound unnatural.

Overusing Exposition

Don't have characters explain things solely for the reader's benefit. Only include exposition that makes sense for the characters to actually say to each other. Find other creative ways to convey important backstory or worldbuilding details.

Forgetting Emotion

Dialog without emotional cues like facial expressions and body language can seem flat. Use emotive verbs and adverbs to show how the lines are delivered. For example, "she exclaimed" or "he muttered angrily." Also describe characters' physical reactions and behaviors to further bring the scene to life for readers.

Talking in Complete Sentences

Real conversations are often choppy, filled with interruptions, tangents, and imperfect grammar. Vary your sentence structure and length. Use fragments, run-ons, and breaks when appropriate. Not all dialog needs to be in perfectly punctuated full sentences.

Clichéd Phrases

Certain overused phrases like "it's quiet...too quiet" or "we've got company!" indicate lazy or clichéd writing. Come up with original ways for your characters to express themselves that fit with their unique personalities and situation. Avoid reusing trite or familiar sayings.

With practice, writing natural-sounding dialog will become second nature. Pay close attention to how real people speak, and aim to replicate the flow and cadence in your writing. Follow these tips, and your characters' conversations will truly come alive on the page!

Formatting Dialogue Correctly

When writing dialog, formatting it correctly is key to making it clear and compelling for readers. Here are some tips for formatting your dialogue effectively:

Use quotation marks

Place all dialogue between double quotation marks (“”). This indicates the character is speaking. For example:

“Hello,” she said. “How are you today?”

Start a new paragraph for each new speaker

Having each character's dialog on its own line makes it easy to follow who's talking. For example:

“Did you finish your homework?” Mom asked.

“I'm almost done,” I replied. “Just have some math problems left.”

Describe the speech

Use speech tags like "said", "asked", "replied" to indicate how the dialog was delivered. For example:

“I don't want to go to bed yet,” the little girl whined.

Punctuate properly

Place punctuation such as periods, commas, question marks, etc. within the quotation marks. For example:

“Where are you going?” she asked.

I said, “To the store. Do you need anything?”

Use beats

"Beats" are actions or descriptions that replace the "he/she said" tags. They make dialog more engaging and help set the scene. For example:

"I'm tired." John yawned and rubbed his eyes.

"Then go to sleep." Mary folded her arms, annoyance in her tone.

Avoid over-tagging

Don't tag every single line of dialog with "said" or the character's name. Let context and formatting do some of the work for you. For example:

"Did you talk to Mom today?"

"Yeah, she called this morning."

"What did she say?"

"That she'd be home in time for dinner."

Following these guidelines will make your dialogue clear, compelling, and help bring your story to life. Readers will appreciate dialog that flows naturally and is easy to follow.

Using Dialogue Tags Effectively

To write effective dialog, you need to master the use of dialog tags. Dialog tags are the parts of speech that indicate who is speaking, such as “he said” or “she asked”. When used properly, dialog tags can enhance your story without distracting the reader.

Choose tags that match the tone

Pick dialog tags that match the emotional tone of the dialog. For example, use “he whispered” for hushed speech or “she shouted” for loud, angry speech. Avoid reusing the same generic tags like “he said/she said” repeatedly, but don't get too creative either. Stick with simple verbs that imply the manner of speech.

Use action tags

Action tags describe a character's physical actions or expressions while speaking. For example, "“I’m not going,” he shook his head.” or ““What a day!” She ran her hands through her hair and sighed.” Action tags bring dialog to life and help the reader visualize the scene. They also give you an opportunity to reveal character details.

Drop the tag when implied

Once two characters establish a back-and-forth dialog, you can often drop the dialog tags altogether. As long as it's clear who is speaking, the tags become unnecessary. For example:

“Did you finish your homework?” Mom asked.

“Most of it,” I said.

“Most of it? What didn’t you finish?”

“Just some math problems. I’ll do them after dinner.”

“You’d better. I’m checking it tonight.”

After the first two lines, the reader understands that Mom and I are the speakers, so the remaining dialog does not need tags. Dropping implied tags creates a snappier feel and prevents repetitive, unnecessary tags.

Using a mix of well-placed dialog tags, action tags, and implied dialog, you can craft seamless conversations between characters that flow naturally, without distraction. Keep practicing and listening to real-world conversations for inspiration. With time, writing compelling dialog will become second nature.

FAQs About Writing Dialogue

When writing dialogue, questions inevitably come up. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about crafting realistic and compelling dialogue.

Do I use quotation marks or italics?

In fiction writing, use quotation marks (“”) to denote direct speech. Only use italics for thoughts or emphasis. Quotation marks allow the reader to easily distinguish between dialog and narration.

How do I avoid “he said, she said”?

To prevent repetitive “he said/she said” tags, use action tags that describe the speaker's actions or expressions. For example:

“We should get out of here,” he whispered, glancing around nervously.

She slammed her fist on the table. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

You can also drop the dialog tag altogether if the speaker is clearly identified through context or action. The dialog itself and how you structure the conversation can imply the tone.

How do I make dialogue sound natural?

Pay attention to the cadence and rhythm of actual conversations. Dialog should:

Sound like natural speech, not formal writing. Contractions are okay!

Have an easy back-and-forth flow. Keep responses concise and avoid monologs.

Capture unique speech patterns based on a character's background and personality.

Include interruptions, changes in subject, and imperfect grammar. We don't speak perfectly in real life!

What are the rules for punctuating dialog?

Use a comma between the dialogue tag and the dialog: “Hello,” she said.

If the dialog tag comes before the dialog, end it with a comma: She said, “Hello.”

If the dialogue is interrupted by a dialog tag, use commas to separate it from the tag: “Hello,” she said, “how are you?”

Use a period to end a sentence of dialog: “Hello.”

Use a question mark for a question: “How are you?” she asked.

Use an exclamation point for excitement or emphasis: “Wow!” he exclaimed.

Start a new paragraph each time the speaker changes.

Following these tips will have you crafting dialog like a pro in no time. Let me know if you have any other questions!

Additional Tips For Writing Dialogue

Keep it concise

When writing dialog, less is more. Keep exchanges brief and avoid long speeches. Readers will get bored quickly if characters drone on and on. Focus on using just enough dialog to convey key information or advance the scene.

Use natural language

Write dialog like people really speak. Use casual language, contractions, slang, and imperfect grammar. Drop words like “um”, “like”, and “you know” into conversations to make them sound authentic. Read your dialog aloud to ensure it flows naturally. If it sounds stilted or awkward when spoken, it will come across that way to readers as well.

Share emotions

Dialog should reveal characters’ emotions and attitudes. Have characters express feelings like excitement, frustration, fear or affection through their word choice, tone, and body language. For example, a character who sighs, rolls their eyes or speaks in a sarcastic tone conveys a very different emotion than one who smiles, makes eye contact and speaks enthusiastically.

Keep it relevant

All dialog should serve a purpose, whether to reveal something about a character, advance the plot or set a mood. Avoid “empty” exchanges that fill space but add no value. If a conversation seems pointless or dull, cut or rewrite it.

Use action and description

Don't rely solely on dialog to carry a scene. Include action and descriptions to give readers a more complete picture. For example:

"Where were you?" Anna asked.

Mark sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. "I got stuck at work. I'm really sorry."

The description of Mark's actions and appearance helps the reader understand his emotional state and see the full context of the conversation.

Leave room for interpretation

Don't have characters over-explain or outright state their feelings and motivations. Leave some details to the reader's imagination. For example, instead of:

"I'm angry that you lied to me," Amy said angrily.

Try:

Amy folded her arms and glared at him. "You lied to me."

The emotional context is clear without having to explicitly state Amy's anger. Subtlety and nuance in dialog make for a more engaging read.

Conclusion

So there you have it, the keys to mastering dialogue/dialog in your writing. I hope my extensive research was enough information for you all. Focus on listening to the voices around you, develop unique voices for your characters, keep your exchanges tight and impactful. Remember, dialog should always move the story forward, not just fill space on the page. With practice, writing compelling dialog can become second nature. Now go eavesdrop on conversations, study your favorite books and shows, and get to work crafting those conversations. Your characters and readers will thank you for it. Keep at it and before you know it, you'll be writing dialog with the best of them!

(Keep in mind I used both dialog and dialogue just in case there's a few who get annoyed with that.)

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TheWriteAdviceForWriters 2023