“Although in real life people speak primarily to impart information, in fiction a conversation is not simply a way for something to be expressed—it’s a way for something to be overcome. As you’re writing, rather than asking yourself, “What does this character need to say?” ask, “What does this character need to accomplish?”” (Crafting Dynamic Dialogue)
That habit follows us into fiction, where it works against us. A character asking about the weather usually just wants to know the weather.
When we fall into the trap of using dialogue purely to transmit information, our scenes stall out. Our characters recite facts and call it conversation.
To bring energy back to the page, we have to remember that dialogue’s purpose is to create tension in the present and build suspense for what’s to come. In every exchange, your characters should be pushing against an opposing agenda. They aren’t just swapping sentences, they are trying to gain leverage, mask a fear, dismantle someone else’s argument, or hide one of their own.
The next time you find yourself stuck in a conversational loop during a revision, try shifting your focus. Leave behind the question of what needs to be said next. Ask instead what your characters are fighting for, and what losing would cost them.
Rolando Andrés Ramos 
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