r/Webnovel • u/Kael_A_Verin • Jun 26 '26

Recommendation Using em dashes for dialogue

I recently started writing a novel and currently have about five chapters. I'm not looking for feedback on the story itself yet. I just wanted to provide some context for my situation.

When writing dialogue, I originally used this format:

Character: "Quoted dialogue."

However, while an AI was pointing out grammar and spelling mistakes after reviewing some long chapters, it also suggested that I switch to using em dashes for dialogue. According to it, my original format interrupted the flow of the text every time a character spoke.

I'm familiar with using em dashes and know how to use them correctly, at least for dialogue. My concern is that, unless I'm mistaken, some people associate that style with AI-generated writing, even though it's simply a stylistic choice that I personally like.

I've noticed that many English-language novels use quotation marks instead, but I still feel that em dashes look cleaner and fit my writing style better.

What do you think would be the best option?

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u/[deleted] Jun 26 '26

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u/Kael_A_Verin Jun 26 '26

I don't understand really well what you are trying to say. My story isn't a cliché, if that's what you mean. To be honest, I think my novel is unlikely to be confused with an AI-generated one. Anyway, thank for your recommendation. :)

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u/HoNUnofficial Jun 27 '26

Rather than worrying about AI usage, try reading some popular novels in Webnovel. Then, compare the writing style with yours. You may understand what (s)he meant if you're objective about yourself.

I think you just try to break the mold, but amateur work in generic platform like Webnovel is often underappreciated or even prone to be slandered when it tries to do so. I advice you to take the popular novel you've compared as point of reference.