Dialogue Challenge: A Fun Way to Practice Character Voice
Want to write better dialogue? Try this creative writing exercise that sharpens your character voice and makes conversations sound natural.
Hey, it’s
Reginaldo Osnildo here again!
Today’s article is going to be short, fun, and seriously powerful.
We’re
talking about dialogue—again—but this time, it’s all about practice.
Not theory, not examples. You’re going to write it. Right now.
Because the
best way to improve your storytelling skills is to jump into the
conversation—literally.
Let’s
explore how this one simple dialogue challenge can transform your characters
from cardboard cutouts into living, breathing voices on the page.
Why
Dialogue Deserves Special Practice
Dialogue
isn’t just people talking. It’s how your characters:
- Reveal
who they are
- Clash
and connect
- Move
the plot forward
- Add rhythm and energy to your
scenes
But
here’s the secret:
great dialogue doesn’t come from fancy vocabulary—it comes from knowing your
characters.
This
challenge will help you get there.
The
Challenge: Write a Scene Using ONLY Dialogue
Yep. No
narration. No description.
Just the voices of two characters.
Think of it like writing a script.
Goal: Focus 100% on:
- Character
voice
- Emotion
- Subtext
- Tension
It forces
you to show through what’s said (and not said)—and helps you break the
habit of over-explaining.
Step 1:
Pick a Scenario
Choose one
of these (or invent your own):
- Two exes run into each other at
a supermarket.
- A parent confronts their teen
about a secret.
- Two strangers are stuck on a
train during a delay.
- A thief and their victim have
an unexpected conversation.
- A best friend realizes they’ve
been lied to.
Step 2:
Define the Characters
Ask
yourself:
- What do they want from this
conversation?
- How do they feel about the
other person?
- What are they hiding or
avoiding?
Write it
down in a sentence or two for each character.
Step 3:
Start Writing—No Description Allowed!
Let the
words speak for themselves. Example:
Ava: You really thought I wouldn’t find
out?
Jonas: I didn’t want you to.
Ava: That’s not an answer.
Jonas: No, it’s the truth.
Notice how
much emotion can live in short, simple lines? That’s the power of clean,
focused dialogue.
Tips to Make It Shine
- Keep it real: Use contractions,
interruptions, pauses.
- Use silence: A line of silence (or a
skipped response) says a lot.
- Give each character a unique
voice: One
speaks formally, the other sarcastically? Great!
- Let the tension rise: Even in a short scene, build
to a moment.
Bonus
Twist: Add One Prop or Object
If you want
an extra layer, imagine both characters are holding or dealing with something:
- A
coffee mug
- A
photo
- A
phone
- A letter they haven’t read yet
Even though
you won’t describe it directly, it can shape how the characters talk and react.
Hint:
You can always add description in a second draft.
✍️ Your Turn—Write a Dialogue Scene
Pick a
prompt, choose your characters, and write 10–15 lines of dialogue only.
Then read
it out loud. Ask:
- Do the voices feel different?
- Is there tension or emotion?
- Could a reader follow the scene
with just the words?
If yes—you
nailed it!
🎁 Want More Practical Prompts and Exercises Like
This?
This
dialogue challenge is just one of many creative tools I’ve packed into my
beginner-friendly eBook:
👉 The Basics of Creative Writing for
Those Who Have Never Written Short Stories or Novels
Inside, you’ll find:
- Simple
writing exercises
- Guided steps to build scenes,
characters, and conflict
- Dialogue tips, pacing tricks,
and more—all without overwhelm
It’s
designed to help you go from “I have no idea how to start” to “Hey—I actually
wrote a story!” in one day.
So grab
your copy, fire up your imagination, and let your characters talk.
See you in
the next article!
— Reginaldo Osnildo