5 Dialogue Mistakes that Kill Romantic Tension (and How to Fix Them)

Whether you’re writing a cozy made-for-TV Christmas movie or a steamy slow-burn romantic comedy, dialogue is everything. The way your characters speak to each other can either spark fireworks or cool the embers of what could be an exciting romance.

If you’ve ever felt like your scenes were missing that chemistry or spark, it might be the way your characters talk. I’d love to help you fix that.

Here are 5 common dialogue mistakes that kill romantic tension, and how to avoid them, to bring chemistry back to your script.

1. Too Much Agreement, Too Soon

   If your love interests are always on the same page, there’s no spark. How do you make a spark? Friction. Tension. Two people who rub each other the wrong way, at first. Opposites tend to ignite more chemistry than do characters who think alike and speak in the same manner. Plus, where is the conflict in that? And what drives any story? Conflict.
   
   Fix it: If your characters are birds of a feather, but the dialogue just isn’t popping, try making them oil and water. Give them something to disagree on (playfully.) Romantic tension is built in the push-and-pull between two characters who are not yet willing to bend. Keyword: yet.

2. Saying Emotional Lines WAY too Soon
   
   Revealing emotions and attraction too soon absolutely kills the rising emotional tension. Think of the success of a romance like Jim and Pam on The Office. Jim didn’t admit his feelings for Pam until the SEASON 2 FINALE. Talk about a slow-burn. Now, when you’re writing a romance movie, obviously, you’re going to reveal feelings much sooner. However, it’s good to remember the satisfying feeling of a carrot properly dangled.
   
   Fix it: Use subtext. Let your characters say one thing and mean another. Use actions like avoidance, awkwardness, or sarcasm to hint at feelings without explicitly stating them. Write stage directions into your script that show the silent growth of feelings: they lock eyes for too long, their fingers graze, or they share a smile— finally. These moments go much further than having a character say, “You know what, I’m really starting to like you, let’s date.”

3. Forgetting to Write Banter

   I guarantee all of your favorite romantic comedies excel in witty banter. Flirting. Two people absolutely vibing. If your dialogue doesn’t have this, it’s time to inject some fun and jest into your characters’ words. Banter is especially necessary in a romance because your characters won’t want to admit they find someone attractive. They’re going to—if anything—mask it with sarcasm and denial. Enter: witty banter.
   
   Fix It: What is banter? It consists of quick-witted exchanges, teasing, flirting, and general verbal fencing matches that create a feeling of play, rapport, and intimacy that help build tension. If you can’t fink of good witty banter, watch some romantic comedies like Sweet Home Alabama or read literally ANY Emily Henry book. Also: improvise with a friend. Practice witty banter with a real person and see what feels fun and what feels forced.

4. Dialogue that Goes Nowhere
   
   While your characters can talk about anything, their dialogue should progress the plot OR deepen the relationship. This occurs by revealing important, vulnerable information or by inciting conflict between your two characters. Even a scene where they flirt should feel important to the story—it’s a scene of connection that drives the romantic plot.
   
   Fix it: Create an emotional shift. Imagine each scene has an emotional arc— not just the movie as a whole. What can your character say or do to elicit a new emotion in the other character? To raise the stakes. Have your character say something that changes someone’s opinion, for better or worse.
   
   

5. Writing TOO Much Dialogue
   
   Sometimes the problem with our dialogue is simply that there is way too much of it. To quote Shakespeare, “Brevity is the soul of Wit.” This is especially true in a comedy— less is more. The pacing of your dialogue is incredibly important in a romantic comedy. There should be a flow to it. Long, chunky monologues stall out the momentum of a good back-and-forth.
   
   Fix it: Go through your script. If there are any scenes where monologues are not needed, see if you can cut that character’s lines down to 3-5 lines max. Bonus points if you can get it down to less than that. Go through your whole script and trim the fat. The less dialogue, the more it flows, and the more we can feel the connection between these two people.
   

Want to Write Romance That Sizzles on Screen?

These tips are just the beginning! If you’re ready to write your own made-for-TV Christmas romance — complete with flirty banter, holiday tropes, and that perfect almost kiss — join my upcoming zoom webinar on writing made-for-TV Christmas movies! On Wed July 9th, 4:30pm pst/ 7:30pm est.