tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28848354.post3816859152989104891..comments2024-01-11T11:51:25.222-05:00Comments on The Musings of Author Jeanne St. James: 13 Different Ways to Say "Said"Jeanne St. Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02632934633859621258noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28848354.post-8103362153095045882010-09-10T17:49:16.690-04:002010-09-10T17:49:16.690-04:00Many years ago, one of the reasons I QUIT reading ...Many years ago, one of the reasons I QUIT reading romance novels, and began writing my own, is because I COULD NOT STAND seeing 'said' as the dialogue tag one more effing time!!! <br /><br />There are some writing styles where the eye does simply skim over 'said'. And that works. No problem here. However, there are other writing styles where when 'said' is used constantly. I want to take 'said' out with an axe in my hand and kill it, dead, dead, dead! <br /><br />I guess those who like the word as a dialogue tag won't be reading my books. <br /><br />Certainly, if a publisher required I use 'said' I would be OUTTA there!!!Savanna Kougarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15698138048388102279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28848354.post-47612819036477506572010-09-10T16:37:21.861-04:002010-09-10T16:37:21.861-04:00I like to use a lot of different tags - but they a...I like to use a lot of different tags - but they are specifically evocative. Sometimes, said means said. Just not ALL the time. :)Elise Loganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17985716699342250049noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28848354.post-84039418876465291402010-09-10T08:17:47.558-04:002010-09-10T08:17:47.558-04:00Oops, I meant to add that like Kimberly, most read...Oops, I meant to add that like Kimberly, most readers are immune to the word said. Their eyes skim right over it. When you throw in something fancy like 'he extrapolated', the reader stops and wonders, 'huh?'<br /><br />Similarly, if you use 'she screeched' or 'she ranted', your character comes off looking like a nut. (Yes, these are examples from personal knowledge!)<br /><br />I guess the answer is moderation.<br /><br />JennaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28848354.post-47172869040400083382010-09-10T08:08:55.188-04:002010-09-10T08:08:55.188-04:00You did a nice job with these, Jeanne. However, so...You did a nice job with these, Jeanne. However, some publishers ask authors not to use anything <i>but </i>said. When you use an unusual word, it can draw the reader out of the story which we don't want. Best idea is to use action tags which require a period at the end of the dialogue. (Groan is an action, not a dialogue tag.) LOL<br /><br />Good post!<br /><br />Hugs,<br /><br />JennaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28848354.post-65410904263062983332010-09-10T04:36:41.718-04:002010-09-10T04:36:41.718-04:00I'm immune to "said", I guess. I don...I'm immune to "said", I guess. I don't even notice it when I read. But maybe if I listened to books on tape or cd, like Darla, it might start to get to me. LOL!Kimberly Menozzihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09339575563935332543noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28848354.post-41191021495036250562010-09-10T01:36:11.697-04:002010-09-10T01:36:11.697-04:00I'm so with you on this! After listening to a...I'm so with you on this! After listening to a book on tape, I can barely stand the word.Darla M Sandshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11520094333004257139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28848354.post-25299687966264410102010-09-09T23:03:12.630-04:002010-09-09T23:03:12.630-04:00good job here. I tend to use more action tags than...good job here. I tend to use more action tags than dialogue but it is tricky.Inez Kelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07476367540175269903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28848354.post-89661956641331518122010-09-09T22:53:33.349-04:002010-09-09T22:53:33.349-04:00Seriously, you know you're an author when you ...Seriously, you know you're an author when you have umpteen lists just like this all over your desk. <br /><br />Great fun. Happy T13!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17765458764192796911noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28848354.post-10048312029835413452010-09-09T21:52:06.435-04:002010-09-09T21:52:06.435-04:00Nicely illustrated use of alternative dialogue tag...Nicely illustrated use of alternative dialogue tags. <br /><a href="http://wordtrix.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">WordTrix</a>Heatherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17700809709293636333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28848354.post-66144833436117900752010-09-09T19:29:18.482-04:002010-09-09T19:29:18.482-04:00Fun TT! I like how you used your book to demonstr...Fun TT! I like how you used your book to demonstrate!<br /><br />*hugs*<br />Paige<br /><br />My TT is at http://paigetylertheauthor.blogspot.comPaige Tylerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04160083721050979492noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28848354.post-89723023360093540122010-09-09T18:21:12.956-04:002010-09-09T18:21:12.956-04:00Awwww dialogue tags. That bain of my existence. ...Awwww dialogue tags. That bain of my existence. <br />Now, how about 13 words for "look"? lOL!Jennifer Leelandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06984802219973478954noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28848354.post-17648604635603636562010-09-09T17:59:23.798-04:002010-09-09T17:59:23.798-04:00Jeanne, so thank you. I CAN'T STAND TO USE ...Jeanne, so thank you. I CAN'T STAND TO USE 'SAID' ANYMORE, so I'm always looking for other words and ways to tag dialogue. Those are great.Savanna Kougarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15698138048388102279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28848354.post-60534980587880216842010-09-09T17:41:38.840-04:002010-09-09T17:41:38.840-04:00These read very smoothly.These read very smoothly.Alice Audreyhttp://www.aliceaudrey.com/?page_id=4029noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28848354.post-6130767562341442502010-09-09T17:17:17.227-04:002010-09-09T17:17:17.227-04:00Nice variety. Thanks for sharing!Nice variety. Thanks for sharing!Maddy Baronehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09569145682344560110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28848354.post-13178320009718116482010-09-09T15:34:45.840-04:002010-09-09T15:34:45.840-04:00How fun! Thanks for sharing!How fun! Thanks for sharing!A. Catherine Noonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01375569313449912140noreply@blogger.com