Let’s be honest—writing dialogue is kind of like cooking pasta. You either nail that perfect al dente texture (snappy, satisfying, and just the right length), or you end up with a mushy mess no one wants to chew through. But here’s the good news: with some solid self-editing skills, you can make your dialogue chef’s kiss worthy. For most authors, self-editing dialogue is where the real magic happens.
Today, we’re diving into the art of perfecting dialogue. Forget about boring, robotic back-and-forths or speeches so long they’d put Hamlet to shame. We’re here to keep your characters talking like the engaging, real people they are—or at least should be.
Now, I’m not saying your dialogue needs to be perfect–I can’t claim perfection on mine, so I have no business preaching it! What I do know is that dialogue doesn’t have to be perfect to shine—it just needs to feel authentic, purposeful, and engaging. The beauty of self-editing is that it helps you take those first drafts (the “mushy pasta” ones) and turn them into something readers can savor. And trust me, every writer wrestles with dialogue at some point. The key is to approach it with a sense of humor, a critical eye, and a willingness to embrace imperfection.
Let’s break down some actionable tips to make your characters’ conversations snap, crackle, and pop without losing that natural, imperfect charm.
Why Bother with Self-Editing Dialogue?
Because readers know. They know when your dialogue feels like it was written by an alien who’s only studied humans via reality TV. Great dialogue pulls readers in, makes them believe in your characters, and keeps them flipping pages like they’re skimming through the group chat after a night out.
Good dialogue:
- Moves the plot forward without dragging readers through the mud.
- Reveals character personality, quirks, and conflicts.
- Feels real but BETTER than real—like the snappy comeback you wish you’d said in the moment.
Bad dialogue, on the other hand, can stop your readers cold. So let’s fix it by self-editing dialogue!
The Self-Editing Secret Sauce
Here’s the thing about dialogue: it doesn’t come out perfect the first time. And that’s okay! The magic happens in the editing. Below are some simple (and dare we say fun?) steps to level up your dialogue game.
Step 1: Read Your Dialogue Out Loud (Yes, Even the Cringy Bits)
This is the ultimate cringe test. Hearing your dialogue out loud—whether you’re reading it yourself, using text-to-speech, or coercing a friend—helps you spot:
- Awkward phrasing: If it’s hard to say, it’s hard to read.
- Repetition: Did your character just say “like” five times in two sentences? It’s giving amateur.
- Unnatural pauses: If it sounds like your character is reading from a script, it’s time to break it up.
Pro Tip: Channel your inner actor. Overdo the accents, drama, or sass if it helps bring the words to life. It’s ridiculous, but it works. (Shoutout to my amazing first reader of Obsessing Over Coffee and Us, Sam, for bringing my characters to life!)
Step 2: Ditch the Small Talk
“Hi, how are you?”
“Good, you?”
“Good. So… weather’s been weird.”
NO. Cut it. Your readers don’t care if your characters are polite. They’re here for drama, tension, humor, and real connection. Unless small talk serves a purpose—like creating awkward tension before a big reveal—skip it.
Instead, open with impact:
- A snarky comeback.
- A surprising confession.
- A juicy secret that leaves the other character (and the reader) dying for more.
Step 3: Break Up the Blah Blah Blah
Ever met a character who talks way too much? Yeah, me too. And while it’s fine to have one chatterbox in your story, a giant wall of dialogue is exhausting to read.
Here’s how to fix it:
- Break long speeches into smaller chunks.
- Add beats of action, like “She fiddled with her coffee cup” or “His brow furrowed.” These cues help ground the conversation.
- Sprinkle in interruptions—because IRL, people never let you finish a sentence.
Example:
Before:
“I don’t understand why you’re making such a big deal out of this. I only borrowed your sweater because I was freezing, and you weren’t even home to ask. It’s not like I spilled coffee on it or anything, and if you’d just let me explain—”
After:
“I don’t understand why you’re making such a big deal—”
“You borrowed my sweater and spilled coffee on it.”
“I—okay, yes, but you weren’t even home to ask!”
Boom. Snappier, punchier, and more engaging.
Step 4: Use Tags Sparingly (But Make Them Count)
Remember that phase in middle school when you were told to spice up your dialogue tags? (“He exclaimed.” “She intoned.” “They interjected.”) Yeah, forget that.
Stick to “said” and “asked” most of the time—they’re invisible to readers. But when you do need a little extra flavor, try:
- Action tags: Instead of “She whispered,” try “She leaned closer, her voice barely audible.”
- Internal thoughts: If your POV character is freaking out, let us hear it!
Step 5: Stay True to the Character
Does your 12-year-old villain-in-the-making suddenly sound like a philosophy professor? Does your stoic hero crack dad jokes out of nowhere? If so, it’s time for a consistency check.
Ask yourself:
- Does this sound like them? Every character should have a unique voice. Pay attention to their vocabulary, tone, and quirks.
- Does this fit the moment? A sarcastic jab might work during a light-hearted scene but could feel wildly inappropriate in a tearful confession.
Wrapping Up How to Self-Edit Dialogue
Editing dialogue can feel overwhelming, but with a little effort (and a lot of caffeine), you can transform it into one of your story’s strongest elements. So grab your red pen—or your delete key—and start slicing, dicing, and polishing.
Because when your characters talk the talk, your readers will follow every word.