How to Basically: Write

Tips for dialogue

When using dialogue make sure to put some breaks between speaking. We as writers are trying to convey a story to our reader. Instead of:

"It's okay, I'm fine,"
"No you're being distant and cold."
"No I'm not"
"That's bullshit,"

Try:

She ran a shaky hand through her hair. I knew a lie was coming, but even so I had hope she would confide in me.

"It's okay, I'm fine," the empty words I expected tumbled from her lips. Her breathing was steady, but she wasn't a good liar, I knew better.
I wasn't sure if I could get through to her, but it can only end well if I'm honest with her.
My mouth is dry as I speak, but I swallow my hesitation.
"No, you're being distant and cold," it's true and my stomach pangs as I watch her eyes falter. It's painful for both of us, I just need to know why.
Her eyebrows furrow and she backs away, the room squeaks and before it falls silent she folds her arms across her chest, "No I'm not."
I laugh, she's acting like a child, I can tell she didn't want to say that as her eyes settle on the ground. Will she ever wake up from the world she's decided to go to on her own? If I shout loud enough will she hear me?
"That's bullshit!" Before I know it my chest is heaving and her eyes are shining in the dim light. Her tears are a saving grace, and I just want to shatter her world and take her away.

*cough cough* I think the second is a little more interesting ^^

Now that we've got a handle on dialogue, let me explain why I did not always use !,?,.

Dialogue is not a complete sentence unless it is a statement. It should end with a comma and its connecting sentence will end with a period. Unless the dialogue ends with !,? It will end with a comma.

Ex.

"I like anime." She said.
{notice how 'she said' is its own sentence. That is an incomplete sentence, so replace the period in 'I like anime.' With a comma.}

Correct way:

"I like anime," she said.
{this sentence flows so much better. Read it out loud using the period versus the comma. The period will make it sound more choppy while the comma makes it sound more like speaking conversation.}

Correct examples:

"What are you doing?"
"That's not the right way,"
"Don't go over there!"

(Next tips etc. will be fresh lol, I thought these were good tips, originally written in my story ideas book :)