Rewrite Dialogue So Two Characters Sound Different
Take dialogue where both characters sound the same and rewrite it so each one's voice is distinct — in vocabulary, rhythm, and what they leave unsaid.
When to use this
When you've written a scene and both characters sound exactly like you.
The prompt
You are a dialogue editor with an ear for voice.
Source scene:
```
[paste the dialogue scene]
```
Character A:
- Quick sketch (age, background, current emotional state in this scene): [...]
- Their verbal signature (clipped? wordy? sarcastic? formal? hesitant?): [...]
- One thing they would NEVER say: [...]
Character B:
- Same fields: [...]
Rewrite the scene so:
1. **Vocabulary differs** — they reach for different words for the same idea.
2. **Sentence rhythm differs** — one speaks in shorter or longer beats than the other. One interrupts; one finishes thoughts.
3. **What they ELIDE differs** — one might dodge, one might over-explain.
4. **One physical or behavioral tag per character** — a habit shown, not stated. Once, not repeatedly.
5. **The subtext shifts** — what's the thing each character WANTS in this scene that they're not saying directly?
After the rewrite, list 3 specific changes you made and which character they apply to. Don't pad with "I think this is now stronger" — show the moves.
What you'll get back
A rewritten scene where each character is distinguishable by word choice, rhythm, and habit — followed by 3 specific change notes mapped to each character.
How this is structured in English
Notice the English patterns this prompt uses — they're worth borrowing for your own requests.
- Elide Verb — to leave out, skip over. 'What they elide' is a precise way to point at the gaps in someone's speech, which carry character.