tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post3610353508787627415..comments2023-12-09T00:33:24.572-08:00Comments on Novel Matters: "He Says ... or Does He?"Bonnie Grovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11377519561074174038noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-22232403272827972202011-11-18T09:46:08.436-08:002011-11-18T09:46:08.436-08:00I just attended a workshop presented by a publishe...I just attended a workshop presented by a published author and writing teacher that confirmed you should only use said or asked. Hopefully, rules are made to be broken.<br /><br />Judith Marshall<br />Author of "Husbands May Come and Go but Friends are Forever, optioned for the big screen.Judith Marshallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02537369649530922358noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-11718308051729893132011-06-01T12:04:11.682-07:002011-06-01T12:04:11.682-07:00This is always a good reminder. Thanks!
However ...This is always a good reminder. Thanks! <br /><br />However I wish this rule didn't exist. I think said is boring. The English language is so colourful and creative it seems a shame to limit our prose to 'said'. So as a writer when I edit I try to eliminate the 'saids' so it doesn't bug ME.Embracehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12057449503326153449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-14832462446338385072011-05-27T12:32:58.415-07:002011-05-27T12:32:58.415-07:00Sharon, I think the same principle applies in poet...Sharon, I think the same principle applies in poetry and indeed in all art: Once you've learned to work within strictures, then you are qualified to work outside them, because your training gave you a sense of mental and artistic support.<br /><br />I found this to be so true in the poetry classes I took at the University of New Mexico. Aside from shock value and a few arresting phrases, the free verse of most people was "scattered" in its approach and execution, while those who had been trained and practiced in such things as sonnets were much more focused and disciplined in their free verse. The reader was more satisfied reading it. And of course, good free verse isn't unstructured at all. It just doesn't have an outwardly-imposed prior structure.Latayne C Scottnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-46810669892365730092011-05-27T11:22:44.506-07:002011-05-27T11:22:44.506-07:00Yes, Zan. Thank you for adding to the conversation...Yes, Zan. Thank you for adding to the conversation.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-48048214307717887882011-05-27T10:52:57.759-07:002011-05-27T10:52:57.759-07:00I agree. I use nothing but said, but I use it very...I agree. I use nothing but said, but I use it very rarely, letting the context carry the speaker's ID instead. <br /><br />Did my comment go through? I'm having trouble with blogger and commenting.Zan Mariehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00166450116524323462noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-2133256563232641342011-05-27T08:42:49.458-07:002011-05-27T08:42:49.458-07:00Jan, I agree. Dialogue written in such a way that ...Jan, I agree. Dialogue written in such a way that it doesn't need tags is preferable.<br /><br />Wendy, don't even get me started on Blogger.<br /><br />Nicole, you are so right in every point you make. Rules in writing can only be guidelines, and writers must break out of the mold if they want to be noticed -- exactly like Kathryn Stockett did with The Help. But rules as guidelines can help strengthen our writing. The truth is, you could write a novel following every rule to a T and end up with a novel that is unremarkable. STORY is everything. And when you add strong writing to STORY, you have a winner. Thank you for the stirring discussion you always bring to our blog.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-61846444300343841472011-05-27T07:25:20.894-07:002011-05-27T07:25:20.894-07:00"The point is not to ply the page with one &q..."The point is not to ply the page with one "said" after another. It's to find a way to make your dialogue sing, to stand out from the masses, by writing dialogue that needs minimal attribution, and by employing action tags that don't simply replace dialogue tags for the sake of replacing dialogue tags, but that add to the story and character development."<br /><br />True, Sharon. And I meant in my comment on Katy's post that I agreed with the one percent opinion, not that I occupied that esteemed place in my own writing. I prefer an occasional dialogue tag besides said because volume cannot always be communicated and can be essential for clarification in conversation. <br /><br />So many of the rules come across as absolute and are repeated in books, on blogs, at conferences, etc. I like authors to take dares, to vary in voice and style. Break out of the mold. That's all.<br /><br />When writers cling to the rules and use those rules to judge writing, we get repetition of formulaic. And quite frankly, just like with the said attribute, it's boring.Nicolehttp://hopeofglory.typepad.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-78028455772164998632011-05-27T07:09:47.574-07:002011-05-27T07:09:47.574-07:00You are making me want to reread that book! Miss t...You are making me want to reread that book! Miss those characters.<br /><br />I wish I could talk stern as I can to Blogger right now. I can't comment on my own posts and neither can many others. Urgh.<br /><br />It's all about connecting for me, so this is frustrating. <br /><br />(I'll get over it.)<br /><br />Happy weekend!<br />~ WendyWendy Paine Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15136235074351188350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-76814699187266116752011-05-27T06:56:15.738-07:002011-05-27T06:56:15.738-07:00I almost never use a "said" tag. Ive alw...I almost never use a "said" tag. Ive always thought they were not necessary. When I read, I assume or imagine the tag, so why write it? Unless you have a conversation that is confusing without it - and even then, Id rather see the dialogue or scene written so that you don't need tags. It's an interesting topic - I know most writers have a strong preference.Jan Clinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16617976979678082323noreply@blogger.com