How do you write compelling dialogue that feels natural and moves the story forward?

Dialogue is the lifeblood of both fictional and non-fictional narratives. It not only helps to uncover the traits of the characters involved but it also provides the basic structure for the plot's development. Becoming good in this art is not about theoretical knowledge, but it is about putting into practice what you learn. 

Demonstrate the Character of the Speakers
Each character should have their own unique voice, which is the reflection of their past, their mood, or their reasons. For example, a shy character would probably have shorter statements than an assertive person who is prone to dominating the conversation. The contrast would be the coloring of your narrative.
Example: In a table that serves as a reference, list the vocabulary idiosyncrasies of each character.

Be Brief
Casa de las Palabras. Many dialogues in real life get turns too far from the scalp due to the many extraneous words but not in the case of this little story. 
Pruning unnecessary words and keeping the message direct ensures that relevant information is not lost.

Pro tip: Speak your dialogue out loud and you will realize that other words have remained too many.

Do Not Use Direct Exposition
Ignoring the truth, backstory, and the like in a character is stronger than any old cliche that tells about it. There are times when people overhear discussions or only get bits of information that result in their conclusions. A casual meeting is filled with people that come and go, all of them influencing the outcome and story of the meeting. 
Example: A character might reveal a clue in their speech, but they do not make it obvious.

Employ Subtext and Emotion
Sometimes it is what we don't say that matters most. Emotion can be painted through the vagueness of a character that pauses, turns away, or lowers their voice. Such detail in the text interacts with the reader's imagination and creates the illusion of real-life situations in the text.
Pro tip: Rock the audience with small gestures like eye catches.

Alongside Action, Dialogue Equilibrates
When you combine dialogues with physical movements or emotions, they appear to be in their most energetic form. Whether the characters are gulping down tea, pacing around the room, or staring at each other with challenge, these add-on details and verbs ground the dialogue and keep it real.
Example: In the middle of longer conversations, use quick action beats or small movements to keep the pace and hold reader attention. 

Ultimately, dialogue should be a vehicle of the story, the relationship between characters, and also, a means of keeping the readers engaged. Just with well-placed phrases and a good pacing, you will create believable conversations that the audience becomes totally absorbed in turning the pages.

Dialogue should serve a purpose…several purposes, really. The most important purpose is to propel the story forward, to advance the plot in a meaningful way. Every line of dialogue should contribute something—whether it’s pushing the action ahead, deepening character relationships, or revealing crucial details that shape the reader’s understanding. Dialogue that meanders without adding to the story’s momentum can slow the pacing, making scenes drag and testing the reader’s patience.

Strong dialogue doesn’t just tell; it shows. It’s a tool for uncovering who a character is, what they’re feeling, and what they want, often without directly stating it. The words a character chooses, the way they phrase things, and even what they leave unsaid can reveal layers of personality, motivation, and conflict. Subtext is just as important as what’s spoken—what a character implies, dodges, or hesitates over can be just as telling as what they say outright.

To keep dialogue engaging, it should feel natural yet intentional. Real conversations often ramble, but fictional dialogue needs focus. Every exchange should either drive the plot, build tension, or illuminate character dynamics. If a line of dialogue doesn’t serve at least one of these purposes, it might be worth cutting.

Ultimately, dialogue isn’t just about filling space between action or description. It’s a storytelling device, a means of revealing truths—sometimes in the words themselves, sometimes in the gaps between them. The key question to ask when crafting dialogue is: What purpose does this serve? If it doesn’t reveal, propel, or enhance, it may not belong.

When I write dialogue, I focus on making it sound natural, like how people actually speak, with pauses, interruptions, and unique voices for each character. I make sure every line has a purpose—whether it’s revealing something about the character, moving the plot forward, or building tension. I also keep it concise and let actions or subtext fill in the gaps. Reading it out loud helps me make sure it feels real.

When crafting compelling dialogue, I ensure it aligns with the personalities of the characters in my manuscript. After completing the draft, I find it helpful to use the Read Aloud feature in Microsoft Word, allowing the computer to read the text to me. Hearing the dialogue spoken, rather than reading it myself, often provides a fresh perspective on my writing.

When I write dialogue, I often read it out loud to see how it sounds with vocal inflection to keep it natural. Over time, I get to know my characters well enough that I have a sense of what they would or wouldn't say, which also helps keep their dialogue natural. Simultaneously, I imagine what my characters might do physically while speaking to help me create dynamic scenes that continue to drive the story forward.

If you're wanting to know if your dialogue works, read it out loud. If it sounds cheesy or unnatural it probably is. Make sure the dialogue matches the tone of the scene. If the moment is very somber let the dialogue reflect this. Also, be careful of dialogue getting away from you, try to keep it focused on moving the story forward.

When I write compelling dialogue, I focus on making it sound natural by imagining how real people would talk in the given situation. I also ensure that each character has a distinct voice, reflecting their personality.

Don't hold back! I write how I would speak. I know my English Lit professor would probably have a field day telling me that we never write dialogue exactly the way we speak, but writers are allowed to change the game up. It's a creative field! (Sorry, Professor!)

I want my audience to get a real feel for where the characters come from. I love making use of immersive dialects. I love being able to portray where someone is likely from without having to say it outright. Sometimes, just having your characters speak to one another can help paint a better picture of who they are as individuals.