Writing Dialogue - Prompt Palooza
How to Build Your Ultimate Dialogue Toolkit and Never Ever Run Out of the Perfect Dialogue Prompts
“Good dialogue illuminates what people are not saying.” – Robert Towne
If you’ve ever stared at a blank page wondering what the heck your characters should say next, you’re not alone. Writing dialogue that feels real, raw, and riveting is no easy task. But guess what? You never have to run out of ideas again.
This guide puts dialogue prompts into the categories you’ll use the most (romantic, hurtful, real-world, etc.) and gives you tools to keep your creativity flowing forever. Whether you’re just starting or you’re a pro looking for fresh inspiration, just think of this your personal guide to building your ultimate dialogue toolkit.
Within this guide you will find prompts to get you started; followed by some must-have tools that I have found to keep me in an endless supply of dialogue prompts. I’m sharing suggestions that will work for all levels of writer skill—beginner to advanced—to help you generate endless ideas. By using these resources and prompts, you’ll create conversations that feel alive and compelling. Ready? Let’s dive in!
Note: This page contains affiliate links. If you purchase an item through my links, I get a tiny commission at no extra cost to you. I’d never promote something I didn’t love.
Relatable Dialogue
Real-world dialogue is all about making your characters feel like someone you could bump into on the street. Think casual, everyday conversations, misunderstandings, or humor. Great for grounding your story in reality or adding slice-of-life moments to your scenes. These prompts work wonders for creating relatable characters.
Prompts:
“Why didn’t you text me back?”
“I told you—bring chips, not salsa!”
“You think you’re so smart, don’t you?”
“Guess what I overheard at the store today...”
“Do you really believe that’s what happened?”
“Can you believe the price of coffee these days?”
“I saw your dog eating something weird in the backyard.”
“We’ve been neighbors for three years, and I just learned your name.”
“Why is there a car in my driveway that isn’t mine?”
“I swear, if one more person calls me by the wrong name...”
Basic/Beginner Level Tools
Start simple with a pack of conversation starters like TableTopics or a book of random questions. These can inspire everyday exchanges and build character chemistry.
Intermediate/Growth Level Tools
Level up with resources that focus on creating natural-sounding dialogue.
Dialogue: The Art of Verbal Action for Page, Stage, and Screen by Robert McKee
Writing Dialogue by Tom Chiarella
Pro/Mastery Level Tools
Use tools like The Storymatic Classic, which includes scenario prompts that help you twist the mundane into the unforgettable.
Romantic Dialogue Prompts
Writing romance? These prompts will have your readers swooning, cringing, or laughing in recognition.
Prompts:
“I’ve never felt this way about anyone before.”
“Do you think we’re moving too fast?”
“I can’t stop thinking about you.”
“You’re the reason I believe in second chances.”
“What if we just ran away together?”
“Why do you always look at me like that?”
“I bought you this because it reminded me of you.”
“If I kiss you right now, will you stop talking?”
“I never believed in soulmates until you showed up.”
“We can’t keep meeting like this… or can we?”
Basic/Beginner Level Tools
Explore Mad Libs In Love to generate cheesy but fun dialogue ideas.
Create flirty or heartfelt exchanges effortlessly with Love Lingual Couples Card Game for Adults.
Intermediate/Growth Level Tools
The Story Oracle: A Creative Writing Inspiration Deck will help you uncover unexpected romantic twists.
Books like The Anatomy of Love will deepen your understanding of romantic tension.
The Anatomy of Love by Helen Fisher
Pro/Mastery Level Tools
Books to master the art of romance:
Romancing the Beat: Story Structure for Romance Novels by Gwen Hayes
Hurtful or Confrontational Dialogue Prompts
“The most important things are the hardest to say.” – Stephen King
Every good story needs a little conflict. These prompts are designed to bring out tension and high stakes. Even if your characters need to go for the jugular, these prompts focus on misunderstandings, heartbreak, and emotional gut punches.
Prompts:
“I never loved you.”
“That’s why no one trusts you.”
“You’re nothing without me.”
“I wish I’d never met you.”
“Do you even hear yourself?”
“Why didn’t you tell me the truth?”
“You can’t fix this, so stop trying.”
“If you cared, you would’ve shown up.”
“I don’t need your apology; I need you to change.”
“How could you betray me like that?”
Basic/Beginner Level Tools
Warm up with emotional games like Cards Against Humanity: Family Edition. Yes, it’s funny, but it can inspire sharp, sarcastic exchanges.
Intermediate/Growth Level Tools
Dive into writing resources like The Emotion Thesaurus to create authentic tension.
The Emotion Thesaurus by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi
Great for adding depth to difficult conversations: Writer Emergency Pack
Pro/Mastery Level Tools
Use tarot cards like The Modern Witch Tarot Deck to inspire complex emotional dynamics. Draw a card and let its meaning inspire conflict.
Go all-in on crafting layered conflicts with: The Conflict Thesaurus by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi
Fantasy or Sci-Fi Dialogue Prompts
“There’s more to dialogue than just speech, in fiction and in real life.” — Gail Carson Levine
Perfect for building immersive worlds with characters who spark wonder or mystery.
Prompts:
“The stars have been whispering your name for centuries.”
“What do you mean, you don’t know how to use a sword?”
“This isn’t a dream. It’s a warning.”
“I’ve never seen a creature like that before.”
“If you touch that relic, we’re all doomed.”
"That’s not supposed to be possible."
"Do you feel that? Something’s wrong."
"We can’t turn back now."
"What are you hiding from me?"
"This changes everything."
Basic/Beginner Level Tools
Simple dice-based inspiration for magical scenes: Rory’s Story Cubes Voyages
Intermediate/Growth Level Tools
A treasure trove for imaginative dialogue: The Writer’s Toolbox: Creative Games and Exercises
Pro/Mastery Level Tools
Master storytelling in speculative genres: The Fantasy Fiction Formula by Deborah Chester
Comedic Dialogue Prompts
Sometimes, your characters need to be funny—or awkwardly funny. These prompts will inspire comedic banter or hilarious misunderstandings. Add a little fun to your story with quirky or unexpected exchanges that show off your characters’ personalities.
Prompts:
“Wait, was that your cat?”
“I didn’t mean to text that to you!”
“I swear, I thought it was a mannequin.”
“You’re not supposed to eat the wax part!”
“Who names their dog ‘Pickles’ anyway?”
“Why is there a goat in our living room?”
“I told you I was good at cooking, not cleaning up after cooking.”
“Who names a cat ‘Chairman Meow’?”
“If you keep talking, I’ll eat your dessert.”
“I don’t know if I’m impressed or mildly horrified.”
Basic/Beginner Level Tools
Start with improv cards like Say Anything to spark random and humorous situations.
Unexpected answers make for hilarious dialogue starters: Cards Against Humanity - Family Edition
Intermediate/Growth Level Tools
Learn comedic timing with books like Comedy Writing Secrets by Mark Shatz and Mel Helitzer
Silly and lighthearted prompts to keep things fun: The Storymatic Kids - Creative Prompts for Writers of All Ages
Pro/Mastery Level Tools
Understand how humor can work in your story structure with one of my favorite (and most used) writing resources: Save the Cat! Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody
Final Thoughts
“Dialogue should do more than just move the plot forward—it should reveal character, theme, or emotion.” – Sol Stein
Dialogue is the heartbeat of any great story, and with the right tools, you’ll never run out of ideas. Whether you’re just starting your writing journey or you’ve been crafting conversations for years, there’s always room to level up. So grab your favorite tools and steal some of these prompts to build your toolkit—and get those characters talking!
And don’t forget to bookmark this post or pin it for later—you’ll want to come back when inspiration strikes. Let me know if I missed out on any items you think I should add to the toolkit that have helped your with Writing Dialogue.
Follow Susan:
