Have you been following all the standard writing advice but still find your dialogue sounds stiff and unnatural?

As an English professor who teaches creative nonfiction, I’ve noticed that even skilled writers often struggle with dialogue–that is, until they learn a few key principles.

Today, I’ll share the three most effective tips to help you craft authentic, compelling dialogue—using examples from fiction, nonfiction, and cinema. I’ll also reveal the secret behind the silent dialogue hack that turned the film There Will Be Blood into a masterpiece.

By the end of this article, you’ll know exactly what makes dialogue engaging and how you can apply these techniques to your own writing.

The Core Purpose of Dialogue

Last week, I re-watched There Will Be Blood, a film known for its brilliant use of dialogue. Despite having seen it numerous times, I noticed something new this time that completely reshaped my understanding of its dialogue.

Think about the film’s title for a moment: There Will Be Blood. Why is it titled this way? Keep that question in mind as we dive into these dialogue-writing principles. When you grasp the true purpose of dialogue, the film’s title—and dialogue itself—will suddenly make more sense.

Tip 1: Avoid “Author-Splaining”

Have you ever watched a movie with someone who keeps pausing it to explain what’s happening?

It ruins the experience, doesn’t it? Unfortunately, many writers unknowingly do this exact thing when they insert themselves into dialogue to explain emotions or intentions.

Let’s look at an example from the legendary Stephen King, specifically his novel Carrie:

She thought herself suddenly loathsome. She found she could not bear that and so she twisted it at him.
“When did you start making all these big moral decisions? After you started fucking me?”
She saw the good humor fade from his face and she was sorry.
“Guess I should have kept quiet,” he said, and pulled up his pants.

King explicitly tells us what characters think and feel. This “authorial assistance” interrupts the natural flow of dialogue, leaving little for readers to discover on their own.

Now, contrast that with this passage from Cormac McCarthy’s All the Pretty Horses:

His father smoked. He watched him.
You still seein that Barnett girl?
He shook his head.
She quit you or did you quit her?
I dont know.
That means she quit you.
Yeah.

Notice the difference? McCarthy never explicitly tells us what the characters are feeling. Instead, he trusts readers to interpret subtle cues and context. This approach invites readers into the scene and encourages active participation—making the dialogue feel more genuine and engaging.

How to Avoid “Author-Splaining”:

• Delete adverbs (especially those ending in -ly) that follow words like “said”—they’re often unnecessary crutches that spell out emotions too explicitly.
• Eliminate phrases that describe emotional states outright; instead, show emotions through word choices, context, and body language.
• Trust your readers to interpret meaning—this empowers them to become active participants in your story.

Tip 2: Dialogue Should Carry Multiple Meanings

Ever read dialogue that sticks with you, lines you think about long after finishing the book?

Great dialogue doesn’t just convey information—it invites interpretation. The best lines are ambiguous enough to be understood in multiple ways, deepening the emotional and intellectual impact of your story.

Consider this brief exchange between a husband and wife:

He: “I think I’ll go over to the pub now for a drink.”
She: “Will you be long?”
He: “Why don’t you come too?”
She: “I don’t think I will. Not tonight. I’m not sure, I may.”
He: “Well, which is it?”
She: “I don’t need to say now, do I? If I feel like it I’ll come over later.”

Notice how each line leaves room for multiple interpretations. Is she annoyed? Lonely? Is he genuine or merely polite? Readers must actively fill in these emotional gaps, drawing them deeper into your story.

How to Write Dialogue with Multiple Meanings:

• Resist the urge to explicitly spell out intentions or emotions.
• Leave intentional gaps or contradictions, creating ambiguity.
• Ensure your dialogue isn’t overly vague but encourages readers to interpret and debate meaning.

Ambiguous dialogue creates an emotional and intellectual bond with readers—making them co-creators of your narrative.

Tip 3: Harnessing the Power of Silence (Ellipsis)

How can silence speak louder than words?

Explicitly describing embarrassment or shame can feel flat or awkward. Instead, use silence strategically to convey deep emotion indirectly.

Consider this powerful example from V.S. Naipaul’s A House for Mr. Biswas:

He got off his bicycle and leaned it against the kerb. Before long, he was accosted by a heavy-lidded shop man who repeatedly sucked his teeth. The shopman offered Mr. Biswas a cigarette and lit it for him. Words were exchanged. Then, with the shopman’s arm around his shoulders, Mr. Biswas disappeared into the shop.

Notice that no dialogue is shown explicitly—only “words were exchanged.” The most humiliating part of the interaction (the actual transaction) is omitted, emphasizing Mr. Biswas’s vulnerability and embarrassment. The silence here speaks volumes.

How to Use Ellipsis in Your Writing:

• Identify moments of embarrassment or vulnerability where direct dialogue would feel unnatural.
• Avoid explicit dialogue in these scenes; instead, describe the indirect actions or consequences.
• Let your readers infer what’s being left unsaid—the silence will resonate deeply.

Putting It All Together: A Lesson from There Will Be Blood

In Paul Thomas Anderson’s There Will Be Blood, there’s a critical scene where the protagonist, Daniel Plainview, is humiliated in front of a congregation. Afterward, he whispers something inaudible to his antagonist, Eli Sunday, wiping the smug grin from Eli’s face.

We never hear the dialogue itself. Instead, we’re left imagining what Daniel says—a perfect example of ellipsis. Anderson trusts viewers to interpret the powerful silence, enhancing emotional intensity.

Interestingly, the hymn being sung in the background is “There is power, power, power in the blood,” referencing Christ’s sacrifice. Perhaps Daniel’s whispered line was a threat: “Oh, there will be blood.” This ambiguity deepens our engagement, making the film’s title and its themes resonate even more strongly.

In Sum:

• Avoid “Author-splaining” ▶︎ Delete adverbs and explicit emotional commentary—trust readers to interpret your dialogue.
• Craft Dialogue with Multiple Meanings ▶︎ Leave intentional ambiguity in your dialogue, inviting readers to actively interpret subtext.
• Use Silence Strategically (Ellipsis) ▶︎ Employ moments of silence and indirect description to subtly convey deep emotions and vulnerability.

When you apply these tips, your dialogue will engage readers by making them active participants in your storytelling.