Screenplay Dialogue: Lots of Crazy Ways to Improve
The title of this article promises 3 crazy ways to improve your dialogue—but guess what? You’re getting even more!
As I kept brainstorming, I couldn’t stop myself from adding extra bonus tips—so you’re getting them ALL totally free!
Now, let me warn you—some of these techniques might seem a little out there. But that’s the point! The goal is to shake up any rigid thinking you have about your characters’ dialogue. Some of these exercises are like what you’d experience in an improv class—where unexpected magic happens. So dive in, try them out, and see where your creativity takes you!
Basics of Dialogue
Writing memorable dialogue is one of the most challenging—and rewarding and fun—aspects of screenwriting. But it’s also a skill that you have to develop, and it’s not as easy to do it well as some people might think.
Great dialogue not only sounds natural, but it also reveals character, advances the story, and sometimes even leaves a line lingering in your audience’s head or heart long after the movie is over…. Lines like: “You complete me,” and “I’ll have what she’s having” immediately come to mind.
If your characters’ conversations are sounding dull, boring, and mostly the same old thing as every day life… you need to step up your dialogue game.
And the only way to do that is to get out of your fixed mindset on how the character sounds. You need to tap deeper into your creativity.
The following points are some creative exercises that will get right down in the grill of your untapped creativity.
These things might sound silly or surprising, but they are actually ways to break you out of your fixed mindset so you can take your dialogue to the next level.
Here we go…
Listen to Real Conversations—But Don’t Copy Them
Eavesdropping on real conversations can give you insight into natural rhythms, pacing, and quirks. However, most real-life conversations are boring. They contain filler words that don’t belong in a screenplay.
So you’re not actually trying to capture a REAL dialogue, you’re trying to capture the interesting parts said in a way that sounds REAL! You want to listen for the unique, revealing moments—Notice how people hesitate when they’re unsure, rush when they’re excited, or choose their words carefully when nervous. Your dialogue should feel real, but it’s all cleaned up…
Every line should contribute something to the story or the character’s emotional arc, whether it reveals character traits or moves the story forward.
Example:
Imagine two friends discussing a recent breakup. Instead of a long, drawn-out dialogue, you might capture the moment like this:
“So… he just left?”
“Yeah. Took his stuff. Didn’t even look back.”
This snippet keeps it simple, capturing the tension without extra filler. You’ve conveyed hurt and disbelief without needing a lengthy exchange.
When crafting dialogue, think about what’s happening in the scene that doesn’t need to be spoken. Real conversations have pauses, awkward silences, and unfinished thoughts. Use these craftfully to build authenticity, but be sure to avoid the mundane writing in all the uhms and ahs…
Use Subtext to Make Every Line Count
The most powerful dialogue isn’t always about what’s said—it’s about what’s left unsaid. Subtext, or the underlying meaning behind a character’s words, creates layers that make the audience lean in and think.
A character (just as i life) might say, “I’ll be fine on my own,” but the way they say it, or the context, could hint at loneliness or a desire for someone to stay. Writing with subtext — leaving something UNSAID but felt — makes your dialogue dynamic and engaging, giving each line to more weight.
Example:
A character who feels rejected might say, “Sure, go ahead. I’ll be here.” The words seem supportive, but the observer can sense the disappointment or loneliness hidden beneath.
To create subtext like this, focus on the emotional stakes of the scene. Think about what your character really wants but isn’t saying. Are they masking their feelings? Trying to impress? The way they express themselves will convey much more and be much more interesting if it isn’t on the nose. The fact is, most people in life don’t express their deepest most vulnerable feelings directly, but somehow we pick up on them. We want to see that in your characters… but in a more interesting and focused way.
Subtext invites your audience to ponder the characters, making the dialogue more immersive and thought-provoking.
Know Your Character's Unique Voice
Your characters aren’t a spitting image of you. Psychologically, yes they are a part of you since they are created in your imagination, but nevertheless, they each have their own voice, background, and personality.
One of the biggest mistakes screenwriters make with dialogue is their characters all sound exactly alike — and they sound a lot like the writer! This makes the dialogue very bland and uninteresting.
You need to get to know who these characters are who want to emerge to the surface from deep in your imagination… To write like them, you should reflect deeply about who they are and listen for how they’d naturally speak.
A college professor might use longer words and more formal sentences, while a teenager might be quick, sarcastic, or use slang.
Your characters must have distinct voices that naturally shine through, making the dialogue more engaging and the characters more memorable.
Example:
Imagine a young character who’s overly-confident. Instead of saying, “I think I can do it,” they might have an arrogant attitude and say, “Easy. Done it a hundred times.” A line like evokes a feeling in the observer and reveals something about the character beyond the dialogue itself. And it may have a very different meaning based on the exact situation. But one thing we know is that between the two lines of dialogue above, one is more specific.
Think about the specific vocabulary each character uses. One character may curse a lot while another might have a catchphrase or use formal language, while another keeps their sentences very short. This not only distinguishes their voices but also adds a layer of realism. When each character speaks in a unique way, the audience connects with them more deeply.
Those are a few tips on writing strong dialogue, but now let’s look at some ways to tap into your creativity in writing dialogue.
three fun exercises to open up your Creativity on Dialogue
Cut out every second or third line or word.
It’s super easy to make dialogue too long and this exercise helps to remove extraneous words or lines.
The exercise is to go through your dialogue and cut out every other line, or take one line and cut out every third word. This sounds crazy because what you cut is based not on logic but on a random pattern. Once you do that for half a page, then rewrite it to make sense.
You’ll see it’s an opening for how you can do a massive cut to the dialogue that is already there. And you’ll be amazed!
Pick Random Words To add to Ten Pages in a Row
This exercise will force you to break your dialogue routines (ways you use words without thinking about it), which can make it repetitive and boring.This exercise can also help make editing be less of a slog and more fun, like a game. The waters of satisfaction will flood over your dialogue like a warm bath after a hard day. (See, I just did the exercise and found “waters of satisfaction” to incorporate here. )
Mix it up with different genres
Ready to Take Your Screenplay to the Next Level?
Dialogue is just one piece of a captivating screenplay but if you do it very well in an already good story, it can take your screenplay to a whole new level and potentially be much more interesting to a high-profile talent.
If your screenplay is at that level that you want to connect to the right producers and get your script noticed, I can help. With my Script Marketing Campaign, you’ll make the kind of first impression that opens doors. Let’s bring your story to the right audience! You can learn more about it here, or feel free to call the Smart Girls office at 818/907-6511.
