If you've ever felt like a story was dragging or speeding by too fast, you know the importance of pacing. Dialogue is one powerful tool for controlling a story's rhythm. Dialogue can add tension, build momentum, and keep your readers hooked when used well. Let's explore how to use dialogue to enhance pacing and make your story flow just right.

Why Pacing Matters
Pacing is the speed and rhythm of your story. It dictates how readers experience events, feel tension, and understand your characters. If your story moves too slowly, readers might lose interest. If it moves too fast, they may feel overwhelmed or miss crucial details. Dialogue is a great way to control pacing and ensure that each scene has the perfect tempo.

1. Use Quick Dialogue for Fast-Paced Scenes
When you want to speed things up, keep the dialogue short and snappy. Fast-paced scenes can be shorter speeches or lighter descriptions. Instead, quick back-and-forth exchanges between characters build tension and momentum, making readers feel like they're right in the middle of the action.

Example of Quick Dialogue for Fast Pacing:
- "Did you see it?"
- "Yeah. It's heading this way."
- "What do we do?"
- "Run."

With each line, tension builds, and the reader's heart rate picks up. Quick dialogue like this is perfect for action scenes, arguments, or any moment when you want readers to feel a sense of urgency.

2. Slow It Down with Longer Conversations
When it's time to slow down the pace, add more depth to your dialogue. Longer conversations allow characters to open up, share backstories, or reflect on recent events. This lets readers catch their breath and lets the story's emotional depth shine.

Example of Slower-Paced Dialogue:
- "I don't understand why you're doing this, Sarah."
- "Maybe it's because… for once, I want something for myself. Not for anyone else."
- "But we're in this together."
- "Are we? Because it hasn't felt that way for a long time."

This type of dialogue allows readers to explore the characters' emotions more deeply, slowing the pace in a meaningful way.

3. Let Subtext Create Tension
Only some things need to be spelt out. Letting readers read between the lines can create a sense of intrigue, which keeps them turning pages. Dialogue with subtext is when characters don't say exactly what they mean, letting the unsaid words speak louder than what's actually being said. It's perfect for adding tension without speeding up the story too much.

Example of Subtext in Dialogue:
- "Are you going to the party tonight?"
- "I wasn't invited."
- "Since when has that stopped you?"

There's a hint of tension, maybe even a conflict, without outright saying it. The subtext keeps the conversation subtle but intriguing, holding the reader's attention without moving too quickly.

4. Break Up Action with Dialogue
Dialogue can be a great way to pace action-heavy scenes, giving readers moments to breathe amid intense sequences. A well-placed line of dialogue can also reveal a character's mindset in the middle of chaos, helping readers stay connected with the story's emotional stakes.

Example of Dialogue in an Action Scene:
- She sprinted down the hall, her breath ragged.
- "Are you even keeping up?" she yelled over her shoulder.
- "Barely," he gasped, stumbling over his own feet.

In this example, the dialogue adds a pause within the action, allowing readers a split second to catch their breath without interrupting the flow of the scene.

5. Avoid Unnecessary Small Talk
While dialogue can enhance pacing, it can also slow it down too much if filled with unnecessary chit-chat. Avoid dialogue that doesn't add anything to the story or reveal something about the characters. Stick to conversations that push the plot forward or deepen character relationships.

Example of Unnecessary Small Talk:
- "How's the weather been?"
- "Not bad. A bit rainy."
- "Yeah, it's been raining a lot."

Instead, focus on what matters. Dialogue should serve a purpose, keeping the story on track and maintaining the right pacing.

Personal Anecdote: Learning to Pace with Dialogue
Early on, I needed help with pacing in my dialogue. One of my scenes was supposed to be tense, but I realised I'd bogged it down with long-winded conversations that didn't fit the moment. After feedback from a writing group, I learned to cut down on filler words and make each line purposeful. Now, I always consider my dialogue's pacing impact, whether aiming to speed things up or slow them down.

Wrap-Up: Make Dialogue Work for Your Story's Pace
Dialogue isn't just about what characters say—it's about how they say it and how it affects your story's rhythm. Using short exchanges to speed things up, allowing longer conversations to slow things down, and keeping each line purposeful, you can create dynamic dialogue that enhances your story's pacing. The next time you're writing a scene, consider how the dialogue impacts the pace and make adjustments to keep readers fully engaged.

Do you have any pacing tips or favourite examples of well-paced dialogue? Drop them in the comments!

When it comes to writing memorable characters, dialogue is one of your most powerful tools. What a character says, how they say it, and what they *don't* say can reveal so much about who they are. Well-written dialogue helps to define personalities, deepen relationships, and drive your plot forward. In this post, we'll explore how to use dialogue to enhance characterisation and give your readers characters they can connect with (or love to hate).

1. Show, Don't Tell Through Dialogue
We've all heard the writing rule: show, don't tell. Dialogue is a great way to follow that advice. Instead of telling your reader that a character is shy or aggressive, let their words and tone show it. How your characters speak can paint a vivid picture of who they are.

Example 1: Showing Confidence vs. Shyness

- Confident Character:
*"I'll handle it. Just sit back and watch me work."*
In this example, the character doesn't need to say, "I'm confident." Their tone and assertiveness speak for themselves.

- Shy Character:
*"Um, I-I guess I could try, if you want me to…"*
Here, the stuttering and hesitancy show that this character is shy without you having to spell it out.

By focusing on how a character speaks, you can reveal aspects of their personality without being overly direct.

2. Give Characters Unique Voices
No two people speak exactly alike, and neither should your characters. Use dialogue to give each character a unique voice that reflects their background, personality, and life experiences. Is your character witty? Formal? Blunt? Their speech patterns should match who they are.

Example 2: Contrasting Speech Styles

- Witty Character:
*"I didn't break the rules. I just bent them until they cried for mercy."*
This character is playful, clever, and mischievous.

- Formal Character:
*"It is imperative that we proceed with caution. I will not tolerate any further recklessness."*
The formal and severe tone here suggests a more reserved, by-the-book character.

Creating distinct voices enhances characterisation and makes your dialogue more engaging.

3. Reveal Relationships Through Dialogue
How characters speak to each other can reveal a lot about their relationships. Do they argue frequently? Are they sarcastic or kind? Dialogue can show the dynamics between characters, whether they're friends, enemies, or something in between.

Example 3: Showing Relationships Through Dialogue

- Friends:
*"You're late again. That's the third time this week."
"Yeah, yeah. Get off my back. You know traffic's a nightmare."*
The teasing tone and relaxed exchange suggest a close friendship where both characters feel comfortable calling each other out.

- Strangers:
*"Excuse me, sir, but I believe you're in my seat."
"Oh, I'm terribly sorry. Let me move my things."*
The politeness shows a lack of familiarity, which is typical of strangers interacting.

Use these differences in tone and formality to reveal the nature of relationships between your characters.

4. Use Subtext to Show What's Not Being Said
Great dialogue isn't just about what's being said—it's also about what's left unsaid. Sometimes, characters aren't honest, or they might hide their true feelings. Subtext—the underlying meaning behind the words—can add depth to your characters.

Example 4: Subtext in Dialogue

- Without Subtext:
*"I'm really happy for you," she said, smiling.*
In this case, the character is directly expressing her happiness.

- With Subtext:
*"Wow, that's great news," she said, forcing a smile as her gaze dropped to the floor.*
The forced smile and body language suggest that the character might not be happy, even though her words suggest otherwise.

You can reveal hidden motivations, emotions, and conflicts by layering dialogue with subtext.

5. Don't Overload Dialogue With Information
While dialogue is a great tool for revealing character, avoid using it to dump too much information at once. Readers can tell when a character's speech feels unnatural because it's being used to force-feed facts. Instead, weave essential information into dialogue naturally.

Example 5: Avoiding Info Dumps

- Info Dump:
*"As you know, Mark, we've been best friends for 10 years, and I was with you when you got that job at the tech company right after college."*

- Natural Dialogue:
*"We've known each other since forever, and I'm telling you, taking that job was the best thing you ever did."*

In the second example, the information feels more like part of the conversation, making the dialogue flow more smoothly.

Personal Anecdote: Learning the Power of Dialogue
When I started writing, I used to think dialogue was just about filling space between action scenes. But then, after a critique group tore apart one of my drafts (in a kind way, of course!), I realised that I needed to be using dialogue to its full potential. It was flat, and my characters all sounded the same. Once I started focusing on making each character's voice unique and using dialogue to reveal their relationships and personalities, my writing became much more substantial. Now, dialogue is one of my favourite tools for building characters!

Conclusion: Make Dialogue Work For Your Characters
At the end of the day, dialogue is one of the most effective ways to reveal your characters' personalities, relationships, and motivations. By giving your characters unique voices, focusing on how they speak to each other, and using subtext to show what's unsaid, you can create characters that leap off the page and stick with your readers long after they've finished the book.

Do you have any favourite tips or tricks for writing dialogue? Share them in the comments!

Writing dialogue can be one of the most fun parts of storytelling—but overuse of speaker tags (like "he said" and "she said") can bog down your writing and make your conversations feel clunky. If your dialogue is loaded with speaker attributes, don't worry! I've got some easy techniques to help smooth out your conversations and keep your readers engaged.

Let’s dive into some practical tips to cut back on those repetitive speaker tags while still making your dialogue clear and dynamic.

1. Use Action to Indicate Who’s Speaking
One of the best ways to reduce speaker tags is to replace them with action. Instead of using “he said” or “she said” over and over again, show the character doing something that reveals who’s speaking. This makes the scene more active and helps bring your characters to life.

Example of Overused Speaker Tags:  
- “I’m not sure about this,” John said.  
- “Why not?” Sarah asked.  
- “It just doesn’t feel right,” John said.  
- “You’re overthinking it,” Sarah said.

Improved Version Using Action:  
- “I’m not sure about this.” John rubbed his forehead.  
- “Why not?” Sarah crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing.  
- “It just doesn’t feel right.”  
- “You’re overthinking it.”

By incorporating simple actions, you make the scene more dynamic and engaging without cluttering it with speaker tags.

2. Let Dialogue Flow Without Attributing Every Line
If it’s clear who’s speaking, you don’t always need a speaker tag or even an action. Trust your readers to keep track of the conversation. As long as it’s between two people, readers can usually follow along without a reminder after every sentence.

Example of Too Many Tags:  
- “This doesn’t make sense,” he said.  
- “What part doesn’t make sense?” she asked.  
- “Everything,” he said.  
- “Well, we need to figure it out,” she said.

Better Without Unnecessary Tags:  
- “This doesn’t make sense.”  
- “What part?”  
- “Everything.”  
- “Well, we need to figure it out.”

When dialogue is short and punchy, skipping speaker tags makes the conversation feel more natural and fast-paced.

3. Use Context to Clarify the Speaker
Sometimes, the surrounding context makes it clear who’s speaking without needing to spell it out. If a character has been the focus of a scene or if you’ve just described their actions, readers will naturally assume they’re the one speaking next.

Example of Unnecessary Tags:  
- John picked up the letter. “I don’t understand this,” he said.  
- “It’s pretty straightforward,” Sarah said.  
- “Not to me,” John said, frowning.

Better With Context:  
- John picked up the letter. “I don’t understand this.”  
- “It’s pretty straightforward,” Sarah replied.  
- “Not to me.” John frowned.

Here, the dialogue flows seamlessly because the actions tell us who’s speaking. Readers don't need to be reminded with a “he said” every time.

4. Vary Speaker Tags When Needed
While “he said” and “she said” are perfectly fine, varying them occasionally can add flavor to your writing. Just don’t go overboard with fancy tags like “he interjected” or “she articulated” in every line—it can start to feel forced. Use more descriptive speaker tags sparingly, and they’ll stand out more when you do.

Example of Overly Fancy Tags:  
- “Stop right there!” he commanded.  
- “Why?” she inquired.  
- “You know why,” he insisted.

Improved Version With Variation:  
- “Stop right there!”  
- “Why?”  
- “You know why,” he snapped.

By using “snapped” in the last line, you add emotion without overwhelming the reader with unnecessary descriptions in every line.

5. Use Internal Thoughts to Break Up Dialogue
If your character is having an internal reaction to what’s being said, let their thoughts or emotions break up the conversation instead of relying on speaker tags.

Example of Speaker Tags Everywhere:  
- “You should have told me earlier,” Sarah said.  
- “I didn’t think it mattered,” John said.  
- “Of course it mattered,” Sarah said angrily.

Improved Version With Internal Thoughts:  
- “You should have told me earlier.”  
- John’s stomach tightened. “I didn’t think it mattered.”  
- “Of course it mattered.” Sarah’s voice had an edge now, and John felt the sting.

By incorporating John’s thoughts and reactions, the dialogue feels more personal and intense without needing to tag every line.

Personal Anecdote: Struggling With Speaker Tags
I remember the first draft of my novel was loaded with “he said” and “she said” in every conversation. I thought it was the only way to keep readers from getting lost. But after some honest feedback from a writing group, I realized I was overusing them. Once I started using action, internal thoughts, and context to clarify the speaker, the dialogue became more fluid and engaging—and I never looked back.

Wrap-Up: Make Your Dialogue Shine Without Clunky Speaker Tags

When it comes to dialogue, it’s all about balance. While speaker tags are necessary at times, you don’t need them on every single line. Mix it up with action, context, and internal thoughts, and your conversations will feel more natural and engaging. So, the next time you’re writing dialogue, ask yourself: do I really need that “he said”? If not, let it go and watch your writing come alive!

Got any tips for trimming speaker tags? Share them in the comments below!

I hope this finds you well.
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Just a quicky to let you know I'm giving away 100 ebook copies of Endless Peace on Goodreads. You can enter the Giveaway HERE.

Endless Peace will release on October 24. You can find a pre-release copy from Amazon HERE.
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With gratitude and excitement,
James