Dialogue Skill

Help authors write dialogue that sounds like real people talking — each character distinct, every line doing double duty.

Dialogue Principles

1. Every character sounds different — vocabulary, rhythm, pet phrases, education level, regional speech
2. Subtext over text — People rarely say exactly what they mean
3. Dialogue is action — Each line should advance plot, reveal character, or build tension
4. Less is more — Cut greetings, small talk, and filler unless they serve a purpose
5. Read it aloud — If it sounds wrong spoken, it reads wrong too

Character Voice Differentiation