How to Use Silence to Write Better Dialogue

The most basic skill a writer needs to create something "good" (in quotation marks, because that's a subjective term, but it works for now) is knowing what to write. 

Literally. 

Putting one word down in front of the other in an order that makes sense and conveys meaning is the key. However, there's a piece of writing that often gets overlooked. 

That's what we don't say. 

In today's post, I'm writing all about dialogue - but these principles can be applied to every aspect of writing, so buckle up, grab your notebook, and let's talk about silence.

The Role of Silence

One of the most powerful uses of silence is building tension between characters. Sometimes, the moments between dialogue can create more intrigue than the words themselves.

For example, imagine a scene where two characters are facing off, and one asks a loaded question. Instead of getting a quick reply, there’s a pause. The reader feels the weight of the silence, wondering what’s going through the character’s mind, sensing that something important hangs in the balance.

If you need to look at something you can see, take notes the next time you watch a particularly suspenseful film. When characters talk to each other, what do they do in between lines? What is happening with their body language?

Silence creates space for subtext. 

Subtext is what helps us nuance the story and its characters, layer on meaning, and create something that resonates with readers. 

Here's an example for you: 

"Did you know?"

She waited, watching his expression.

He didn’t answer right away. His gaze dropped to the floor, his fingers tapping the edge of the table.

"I didn’t," he finally muttered, but the pause spoke volumes.

In this example, the silence between the question and the answer adds layers of meaning. What meaning? Well, that's typically up to reader interpretation, but I'll tell you what I was going for.

Here, it could suggest hesitation, guilt, or uncertainty. These elements might not come across if the character answered immediately. The pause forces the reader to lean in and anticipate what’s coming next, heightening the emotional impact.

The opposite is writing something "on the nose" (spoken directly) and while this technique CAN work upon occasion, it's important to know when to use it and when to avoid it. 

Some more about subtext:

While we're here, what the heck even is subtext?

Great question. Let's explore that.

Not everything a character thinks or feels should be stated outright. Silence can reveal what a character is either unwilling or unable to  say. Whether due to fear, shame, love, or anger, silence can communicate a depth of emotion that words alone might struggle to capture.

This depth is subtext. 

If someone has ever asked you to "read between the lines," (assuming they're using the term correctly), this is what they're referring to. 

I have to think about my AP English days when I write about this, and all the times my English teacher (who was the best!) asked us to identify the subtext of a scene. To be honest, I hated these exercises. I didn't really care. 

The green light is just a green light. IYKYK.

But as little as I cared for these exercises, it taught me something valuable about dialogue: 

As often as we consider what a character does say, we also need to consider what she doesn't say. 

That choice could make or break a scene (or a character). 

Consider a scene where two characters are arguing. One character says something hurtful, and instead of a verbal retort, the other responds with silence.

That lack of response can be far more telling than shouting back. It may indicate shock, hurt, or even the realization that the argument has reached a breaking point.

Here's an example:

"You never really cared, did you?"

He waited, but she didn’t answer. Her lips pressed into a thin line, her eyes fixed on the window.

He sighed. "I guess that’s my answer."

Here, silence speaks louder than words. The absence of a reply doesn’t mean there’s no emotion; in fact, it suggests there’s too much. The reader can sense the depth of feeling through the lack of a response.

Silence Gives Characters Space to Process

In real conversations, people don’t always have immediate responses. (Unless you're me, and you forget to think before you speak, and you end up saying something really dumb...)

Sometimes, they need a moment to think or to process their emotions before they speak. Incorporating silence into your dialogue can give your characters this space, making them feel more human and relatable.

When you're sitting down to write a scene that has this emotional type of dialogue, take into account the type of character you're writing. What do they need to do to process (or avoid processing) how they feel? Then SHOW that through body language (and silence) before adding the next line of dialogue.

Here's an example:

"I need to know if you’re staying or going."

He didn’t respond right away. His eyes flickered toward the door, then back to her.

"I…" He stopped, running a hand through his hair. "I don’t know."

The pause here reflects the character’s internal conflict. Instead of rushing into an answer, the silence shows that this is a difficult decision, and perhaps it's one he hasn’t fully come to terms with.

Something that comes to mind as I write this is that scene from Captain America: Civil War (2016). You know the one. It's been memed to death over the years. 

It's when Tony looks at Steve and goes, "did you know?" and there's that horrible pause that makes us all gasp...

That's why we use silence, folks. Because it works. 

Silence Conveys Power Dynamics

Going back to that Iron Man/Captain America example in the previous section, go watch the first 30 or so seconds of that scene and then come back: 

(I linked it on Youtube right here - open in a new browser so you don't lose your place)

Okay. Now that it's fresh in BOTH of our heads, I want you to take note of what happens after Tony asks, "did you know?" 

What is going on with Steve's face? His eyes? His mouth?

Other than Chris Evans' impeccable acting, what we're seeing here is Steve's decision making to tell the truth to Tony. In this moment he the power dynamic positions him OVER Tony, which is a little bit weird - because Iron Man is used to being on top. 

In many situations, such as this one, the character who speaks less (or who can control the silence) often holds more power. In this example, Tony is desperate to know the truth from Cap. 

Cap has the power to tell the truth or lie, and we learn a ton about the movie, the character, and the story in just that three-second silence between them. 

In tense situations, silence can force the other character to become uncomfortable, rushing to fill the void with words, which may reveal more than they intend. It’s a strategic pause that shifts the balance of power.

Got a question for you - what other movies or books use this technique? Next time you spot one, take notes. 

I love using movies for this (my background is in film, after all) because I love testing my ability to translate what I see to the page. Describing the body language of these characters is a great exercise to get you thinking about how your characters might respond, too. 

A few last minute tips to write better dialogue: 

Here are a few things to remember when it comes to writing better dialogue: 

• Use action beats to show pauses without explicitly stating them. Characters can fidget, look away, or engage in small, meaningful actions during silences.
• Ellipses or em dashes can indicate trailing thoughts or unfinished sentences that lead to silence.
• Leave room for interpretation by letting the reader fill in the gaps. You don’t always have to explain why a character is silent. Sometimes, it’s more powerful to leave that to the reader’s imagination.
• Balance dialogue and silence. Too much silence can slow down the pacing, so use it strategically in key moments for maximum impact.
• Take Notes from movies, shows, books, and whatever else you see (real people work too) and see if you can translate those silences into your own work. 

Through practice, you'll get the hang of this. Just don't give up! 

That's it for now, my friends. Next time you write a scene, pay attention to the pauses. Sometimes, the silence says it all.

While you're here: 

Have you grabbed the free plotting workbook on my website? Join hundreds of writers who are currently using it to jumpstart their book by clicking right here. 

Struggle with knowing how to plot your book? Click here. 

Not sure how to create emotionally complex and deep characters? Click here. 

Want my help creating a story world that is rich, full, and lively? I got you. Click here.