1/10/23, 10:47 AM
100 Dialogue Prompts for Fiction, Screenplays, and More
BRYN DONOVAN
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100 Dialogue Prompts for Fiction,
Screenplays, and More
27 Comments / Writing Inspiration.
Hey friends! I created this list of dialogue prompts mostly with novelists and
short story writers in mind, but they would also be helpful for script writing, for
creative writing teachers, and even for improv coaches. I’ve tried to include both
funny dialogue prompts, more serious ones, and some that are really openended.
No matter what you’re working on, the way you use these writing prompts is
basically the same: you pick a line of dialogue and you write a conversation or a
scene that includes it. Most of these are geared toward contemporary fiction and
screenwriting, but I’ve thrown in a few that go more in the direction of other
fiction genres.
Depending on your project, you might also want to check out my lists of
romance plot ideas and fantasy story ideas.
It took a long time to come up with these dialogue writing prompts, but it was
also pretty fun. If one of them winds up in your finished work, that’s just fine
with me. Pin or bookmark it for future use!
https://www.bryndonovan.com/2016/08/15/100-writing-prompts-based-on-dialogue-for-fiction-screenplays-and-more/
1/19
1/10/23, 10:47 AM
100 Dialogue Prompts for Fiction, Screenplays, and More
1. “Ma’am,
2. “No,
it’s really not that complicated. He’s a bad person.”
3. “Hey…
4. “The
5. “Ah
is this your dog?”
what’s wrong with your face?”
king is missing.”
yes, come in. Close the door behind you.”
6. “How
could you do this to me?”
7. “Um,
sorry. That one’s not for sale.”
8. “You’ve
got thirty seconds to explain to me what you’re
doing here.”
https://www.bryndonovan.com/2016/08/15/100-writing-prompts-based-on-dialogue-for-fiction-screenplays-and-more/
2/19
1/10/23, 10:47 AM
100 Dialogue Prompts for Fiction, Screenplays, and More
9. “Ain’t
10. “I
nobody ever told you who your real daddy is?”
know this may be hard to believe, but I’m on your side.”
11. “Never
heard of that being used as a murder weapon
before.”
12. “Just
sit around and cry, then. I don’t have that luxury.”
13. “I’m
sorry. I thought you were someone else.”
14. “That’s
the nice thing about telling the truth. You don’t
have nearly as much to keep track of.”
15. “Of
course we’re best friends. No one else would put up
with our shenanigans.”
16. “That’s
17. “You
18. “Do
the least of your worries.”
look a lot different from your profile picture.”
you trust me?”
19. “You
found it on the beach? You know, when most people
take a walk on the beach, they pick up seashells.”
20. “Sir.
This is for children only.”
21. “I
haven’t tried this on a human yet, but it should be very
similar.”
22. “What?
23. “Who
24. “I
I meant it as a compliment.”
put this in my coat pocket?”
can’t do this any more.”
https://www.bryndonovan.com/2016/08/15/100-writing-prompts-based-on-dialogue-for-fiction-screenplays-and-more/
3/19
1/10/23, 10:47 AM
100 Dialogue Prompts for Fiction, Screenplays, and More
25. “You
think you’re so good-looking, but deep down, you’re
the kind of ugly that PhotoShop can’t fix.”
26. “I
know you did your best, but it just wasn’t enough.”
27. “Even
28. “You
if I could stop it, I wouldn’t.”
have got to see this.”
29. “Guess
30. “I
who made the evening news?”
don’t really think of myself as a thief…”
31. “Are
you just going to keep walking by my house or are
you going to come in?”
32. “We
do things a little differently in the 21st century.”
33. “Please
return to your assigned seat.”
34. “Dude.
It’s 3 in the morning.”
35. “I
can’t believe I used to think he was attractive.”
36. “Actually,
37. “Where
38. “Well,
39. “Hi,
you are speaking to the manager.”
are your clothes?”
this contest isn’t going to rig itself.”
I’m calling about your ad?”
40. “I
can’t believe I’m telling you this.”
41. “I
should have told you this a long time ago.”
https://www.bryndonovan.com/2016/08/15/100-writing-prompts-based-on-dialogue-for-fiction-screenplays-and-more/
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1/10/23, 10:47 AM
100 Dialogue Prompts for Fiction, Screenplays, and More
42. “I
am only telling the truth when I say that you have not
behaved completely as a gentleman in this matter.”
43. “I
thought we were friends!”
44. “That’s
45. “It’s
not a good look.”
a genetic trait, but it’s exceptionally rare.”
46. “I
love you, but I don’t even think I know who you really
are.”
47. “She’s
48. “I
evil, but she does have a point there.”
didn’t know you could talk.”
49. “Sweetie,
50. “What
51. “Sorry.
what were you thinking?”
makes you think it was an accident?”
You’re the first person I’ve spoken to in ten years.”
52. “I
don’t suppose you’ve got a blowtorch around here?”
53. “I
know you’re here. You may as well show yourself.”
54. “Get
a job!”
55. “This
isn’t going to be a typical best man speech.”
56. “According
to this, you owe them eighty thousand
dollars.”
57. “We
thought at first that it was part of the performance.”
58. “It’s
been a while since I’ve seen y’all in church.”
https://www.bryndonovan.com/2016/08/15/100-writing-prompts-based-on-dialogue-for-fiction-screenplays-and-more/
5/19
1/10/23, 10:47 AM
100 Dialogue Prompts for Fiction, Screenplays, and More
59. “I
would break his thumbs right now if I could.”
60. “Why
are you helping me?”
61. “That’s
62. “I
didn’t even recognize you!”
63. “Is
64. “I
it worth breaking your vows over?”
told you not to read that.”
65. “Put
66. “I
the worst reason I’ve ever heard to have a baby.”
the turkey down.”
didn’t ask to be abducted.”
67. “That’s
the most disgusting thing I’ve ever heard.”
68. “Where
did you learn how to do that?”
you banned from all Taco Bells, or just that Taco
Bell?”
69. “Are
70. “I
thought you had him!”
71. “Humility
72. “How
is not one of my many virtues.”
can you stand living here?”
73. “She’s
young, fertile, and from a good family. What more
do you need to know?”
74. “Sometimes
75. “You
being a total geek pays off.”
don’t have the correct paperwork.”
76. “Careful
not to break the—oh.”
https://www.bryndonovan.com/2016/08/15/100-writing-prompts-based-on-dialogue-for-fiction-screenplays-and-more/
6/19
1/10/23, 10:47 AM
100 Dialogue Prompts for Fiction, Screenplays, and More
77. “I
wasn’t going to say anything, but yeah.”
78. “I’d
love to help, but I want to keep all of my money in
case I want to spend it on other things.”
79. “Well
aren’t you the cutest little thing?”
80. “Why
is that your password?”
81. “Please
82. “After
83. “If
don’t use sarcasm. It confuses me.”
we lost you, things just weren’t the same.”
you were logical you would’ve killed me already.”
84. “Well,
that could’ve gone better.”
85. “Sometimes
86. “We’ve
87. “Your
88. “I
I feel like she’s still at my side.”
been waiting two hours.”
services are no longer required.”
feel like we’ve met before…”
89. “Does
90. “Yes,
he hit you?”
it’s a questionable line of work, but I’m good at it.”
91. “She’s
in the building.”
92. “Wow!
93. “You
It’s an honor to meet you.”
were in a crash. Can you tell me your name?”
94. “This
used to be a great country, but people like you are
destroying it.”
https://www.bryndonovan.com/2016/08/15/100-writing-prompts-based-on-dialogue-for-fiction-screenplays-and-more/
7/19
1/10/23, 10:47 AM
100 Dialogue Prompts for Fiction, Screenplays, and More
95. “I’m
cured. I swear.”
96. “My
chances of living to a ripe old age are unfortunately
excellent.”
97. “Let’s
face it, you don’t exactly blend in.”
98. “Forgive
me if I’m misreading things, but do you want to
make out?”
99. “The
next time you shoot a guy, don’t do it on national
television.”
100. “We’ll
need to take a blood sample to be sure.”
I hope you liked this post! If you don’t want to miss any posts like this for
writers, follow the blog if you aren’t already doing so — there’s a place you can
sign up below.
Please also check out my big book of writing prompts. Whether you’re starting a
new story or trying to figure out where a story goes next, it can give you fresh
inspiration.
https://www.bryndonovan.com/2016/08/15/100-writing-prompts-based-on-dialogue-for-fiction-screenplays-and-more/
8/19