tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6010942979784569627.post4311807140137580821..comments2024-02-06T04:20:38.551-08:00Comments on Reading, Writing, Revising: Dialogue Tags and BeatsLisa Ecksteinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11469107523441985396noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6010942979784569627.post-12525383707296370512017-07-14T06:50:21.538-07:002017-07-14T06:50:21.538-07:00This is in response to Paul Lamb's comment.
D...This is in response to Paul Lamb's comment.<br /><br />Dialogue tags distract the reader from the essence of the dialogue—the dialogue itself. This may make the reader feel detached from the story, where they'll focus more on the language rather than what's happening.<br />And yes, you may need to use alternative tags at times (when an action needs to be expressed clearly, like a whisper). However, actions can often replace these tags, to show if someone is bellowing, laughing, etc. Not only does this allow you to show and not tell -- it also immerses the reader in your descriptive writing, inspiring your imagination.<br />That's my take on it, anyway. Fully eliminating tags is not always necessary, if a thought needs to be explained. And often, dialogue tags aren't needed when talking between two people, if the conversation is back and forth. Using actions, which drive the plot along and engage the reader, is usually best.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04558536441829884280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6010942979784569627.post-83955228422935862052011-01-13T04:47:58.812-08:002011-01-13T04:47:58.812-08:00I just read one book where, when a character gave ...I just read one book where, when a character gave his name, he "chewed out his name." That's memorable!<br /><br />GregAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6010942979784569627.post-31710165048005984572011-01-12T11:20:18.859-08:002011-01-12T11:20:18.859-08:00Paul, thanks for offering your perspective. I agre...Paul, thanks for offering your perspective. I agree that when a writer really knows what they're doing, a strong, nuanced speech verb can improve a dialogue. (Though I don't think said-bookisms will ever appeal to me.) The problem is that many beginning writers panic at the idea of using "said" several times in a row without understanding which alternatives add to the scene and which distract. I'd rather see less experienced writers use the nearly-invisible "said" and focus on dialogue content before moving on to more advanced techniques.Lisa Ecksteinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11469107523441985396noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6010942979784569627.post-19136508818423016022011-01-12T03:36:17.805-08:002011-01-12T03:36:17.805-08:00I disagree. Dialogue IS action, especially in nove...I disagree. Dialogue IS action, especially in novels of manners and ideas. Consider the difference if a character says, or whispers, or hisses, or sniffs, or barks, or chuckles "I love you." Each tag has a different nuance, which is clearly understood by the reader, and each gives the words a different meaning as well as possible insight into the character of the speaker. And when a character "grimaces" her line, the writer is using metaphor, a said-bookism. Again, the reader will understand the intent, and it shows that the writer had intent rather than just being literal. I won't say that always using "said" is lazy writing, but in many cases I think the writer is missing an opportunity to use a strong, nuanced verb.<br /><br />We are creative writers. We are supposed to be inventing the language, not writing high school term papers.Paul Lambhttp://www.paullamb.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.com