30 Dialogue Prompts to Jumpstart Your Writing Process

Dialogue writing prompts are short segments of dialogue that can spur you into writing an entire exchange between characters. You can use propts as writing exercises to sharpen your craft, or you can insert actual dialogue prompts into a novel, short story, theater script, or screenplay.

Use the following dialogue prompts as story starters or simply to set off a brainstorm. They can be the first sentence in a dialogue exchange, the last sentence of a conversation, or a line wedged somewhere in the middle of the action.

1. 1. "We both know this will be the first time and the last time we ever attempt this."
2. 2. "Nobody knew my mom like you did."
3. 3. "Pass the binoculars. Hurry!"
4. 4. "If we both agree we're soulmates, why break up?"
5. 5. “It all looks so tiny from up here.”
6. 6. "I have bad news, so I hope you're sitting down."
7. 7. "So you're saying this all started in El Paso?"
8. 8. "You're on a deadline. Start writing!"
9. 9. "That animal can't possibly be a bird."
10. 10. "You ever wonder what best friends talk about at sleepovers?"
11. 11. "If you thought indigestion was bad, wait until you hear about this."
12. 12. "I can't stand small talk, but it was all he could offer."
13. 13. "If two people can choose a movie to watch in less than two minutes, anything is possible."
14. 14. "He dropped the old lie, but his new story is even less believable."
15. 15. "You're funny, but I can tell you’re hiding something."
16. 16. "How are you going to tell Mom you're dating a blogger?"
17. 17. "Get in the van!"
18. 18. "Apparently she gave up her medical practice for a romance writing career."
19. 19. "He flubbed his very first line, and the play only got worse from there."
20. 20. "Strike three! You're out!"
21. 21. "I've always believed that the most important quality a person can have is the ability to love."
22. 22. "Emilia is convinced she's the main character in life, and the rest of us are pretty much extras."
23. 23. "Watch where you're going!"
24. 24. "I've never seen a real-life dragon before."
25. 25. "Promise me you’ll never tell anyone what you just saw."
26. 26. “Keep an eye on the door, but whatever you do, don’t open it.”
27. 27. “Let the games begin!”
28. 28. “A lot of wonderful things can happen during a great meal.”
29. 29. “Time. It’s the one thing that you can never get back.”
30. 30. "Okay class, I want a full screenplay by Friday."

Whether you use dialogue prompts to generate story ideas, literally insert them into your novels, or just use them for dialogue exercises, keep these three writing tips in mind.

1. 1. Dialogue is about character as much as it’s about storytelling. Dialogue can be useful for exposition, it’s especially effective for showing the nature of a character’s relationship to someone else. Whenever you are writing dialogue, start from the point of view of the character, and allow their personality and perspective to shape their words.
2. 2. Dialogue should match the genre. A good creative writing prompt will lead you into a relevant world of storytelling. Some dialogue writing prompts are highly specific to a genre. A fantasy writing prompt like "That dragon isn't dead!" won't work nearly as well in a western. Always consider the source of your dialogue writing prompt and apply it to its intended use.
3. 3. Practice by borrowing lines from your favorite books. Even the most seasoned authors borrow from their sources. Select a single line of dialogue from a novel, novella, short story, or screenplay, and use it a dialogue prompt start your next writing exercise.

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