If you’re struggling with writer’s block, or you’re just feeling uninspired, there’s no better way to get writing again than with writing prompts! Dialogue writing prompts are some of my favorites to use when I’m out of ideas because they allow for much more creativity than most other writing prompts. Instead of getting a full plot idea or a specific situation to write about, all you get is a brief snapshot of dialogue to build a story around. It really puts me back into a creative mindset!
Finding good dialogue writing prompts can be a challenge, however. Most other prompts are cliché, uninspiring, or just too simple—so I put together a list of my own!
What are Dialogue Writing Prompts?
Dialogue writing prompts are lines of dialogue with no context, designed to make writers imagine the scenario in which a character would say those lines. These prompts encourage writers to take an imaginative approach to an otherwise unremarkable saying, phrase, or fragment of conversation. There are countless ways to build a scene around a line of dialogue, and every writer is going to take a unique approach. One line could have drastically different meanings if one writer uses it in a horror story and another uses it in a romance.
The only “rule” when using dialogue writing prompts is that you must include the actual line somewhere in your story. That’s part of the challenge! However, the entire purpose of the prompt is to spark ideas, so once you have your idea, you can really do whatever you’d like. You could restructure the sentence to make it fit with a particular character’s speech pattern, or you could even omit it entirely. You might get halfway through and realize that your story is going in a different direction—and that’s okay! As long as you’re writing, the prompt has done its job.
One-Line Dialogue Writing Prompts
Sometimes, all you need to start getting ideas is a single line of dialogue. Here are some short dialogue writing prompts to get your creative gears turning!
- “You know… you really don’t have to.”
- “When she looked back at me, I thought, in that moment, that everything could be okay.”
- “Did you really think you’d get a second chance?”
- “Ugh! It’s like I’m cursed or something!”
- “Hey, stupid. He likes you.”
- “Hmm. well, I guess that’s broken.”
- “… Do you think it’s dead?”
- “He was right! We have to apologize!”
- “I’ll never be able to look at roses the same way again…”
- “No… We’ll never make it in time. We’re too late.”
- “Whatever you do, don’t press that button!”
- “Don’t you worry about a thing! I’m a pro at this.”
- “I like her. Like, I really like her. But… She scares me a little.”
- “Okay, that’s… a fun… idea. But here’s another idea! How about… we don’t do that.”
- “You need to stop. People are going to think you’re weird or something.”
- “What he don’t know… won’t hurt him. You can keep a secret, can’t you?”
- “Sir… I don’t understand. Why are you doing this?”
- “What makes her so special? What does she have that I don’t?”
- “I don’t want to ask them! You go ask them!”
- “Sometimes, life deals you a bad hand, but just like with poker, you can still play your cards right and win.”
- “Wait, you can hear me?”
- “We have to hurry. They’re coming!”
- “Hey… We need to talk. Can you come down? Please…?”
- “I have to say… You look different in person.”
- “But… I thought you were dead.”
- “You are no longer useful to me.”
- “It’s time for you to repay that debt you owe me.”
Conversation Writing Prompts
If one line of dialogue isn’t enough to give you ideas, longer prompts might be for you. These prompts are more similar to traditional writing prompts because they give more context, and paint a bigger picture of the scene or story. With that said, they still offer more flexibility and creative opportunity than other writing prompts.
Here are some longer bits of conversation you can use as writing prompts!
–
“Did you eat your breakfast?”
“…No.”
“Get over yourself. You can’t avoid taking care of yourself forever.”
“Yes, I can.”
–
“Why don’t you come over? I missed seeing you today.”
“Sure, I can do that. Should I head over now?”
“In a few minutes. My parents are going on a date tonight, so if you want to avoid being questioned about your ambitions again, give it a few minutes.”
“Haha, okay. I have to borrow the car from my dad anyway, which might take some convincing.”
–
“I don’t think you understand the gravity of this situation.”
“Dude, I don’t think I understand anything.”
–
“Took you long enough.”
“Sorry, I had some… loose ends to tie up first.”
–
“You can’t get rid of me that easily!”
“Oh, but I’m not trying to get rid of you. I have other plans for you…”
–
“Is there going to be alcohol? Don’t lie.”
“No.”
“Drugs?”
“Dad.”
“What?”
“Of course not.”
–
“I haven’t had this much fun since we got chased by that mob last year!”
“I’m beginning to think there’s something wrong with you.”
–
“I regret… everything…”
“Regret won’t change what you’ve done. Regret won’t bring them back.”
“You think I don’t know that?”
–
“That was exhilarating! I’ve never felt more alive!”
“Wanna do it again?”
–
“You know… The first time I took a life, it haunted me for years.”
“It comes easy to you now, doesn’t it?”
“… It does.”
“You have a warrior’s heart.”
“No… I don’t think I have a heart at all.”
–
“You have thirty seconds to explain yourself before I call the cops.”
“Wait! Don’t do that, they’ll kill me!”
“What?”
“I’m not human.”
–
“Are you sure this is the right place?”
“Um… at least 30% sure.”
“That’s not- ugh whatever. Just start looking around.”
–
“I think I have a plan!”
“Does it involve explosions?”
“… Maybe.”
“Then we’re not doing it. Anyone else have any ideas?”
–
“I know he can be… A lot to handle. But he’s just misunderstood, I promise!”
“He killed someone.”
“On accident!”
–
“I never want to see him again.”
“Oh, that’s a shame, because he’s in the other room.”
“What!?”
–
“I gave you everything.”
“And you made yourself worthless. Get out of my sight.”
–
“You know, I’m starting to think I might like you or something.”
“That’s not funny.”
“I’m being serious!”
–
“How many times do I have to tell you to stay away from the basement?”
“But I heard-”
“You heard nothing! Don’t disobey me!”
Writing Dialogue in Stories
Writing dialogue is challenging, and it’s something I personally struggled with for a long time. Being able to convey the nuances of conversation, as well as giving each character a unique voice, takes a lot of practice to get comfortable with. Practicing writing dialogue is the best way to improve your skills, and working with writing prompts can make the process more fun. Just because you need to practice doesn’t mean writing should feel like homework!
Have fun, and write on!
