Dialogue
In short: Dialogue is the characters' spoken word. Good dialogue characterizes, drives the plot, and lives above all on what is left unsaid.
How to write living dialogue
Not like real life: Real conversation is full of filler. Literary dialogue is condensed – it leaves out the trivial.
Every character sounds different: Word choice, rhythm and tone should reveal who is speaking – even without „she said“.
Build in subtext: The strongest dialogue isn't about what is being discussed. Characters often talk past each other.
Related terms: Subtext · Characterization · Show, don't tell · Pacing
Frequently asked questions
How do I write good dialogue?
Condensed and character-specific: cut the filler, give each character a distinct voice, and put subtext beneath the words.
How do I mark who is speaking?
Through sparing speech tags („she said“) and, above all, an unmistakable voice for each character.