Comments on: One Way to Write Powerhouse Fiction http://writeabetternovel.net/one-way-to-write-powerhouse-fiction/ Practical wisdom for novelists and other storytellers Thu, 19 Apr 2012 03:32:54 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Bill http://writeabetternovel.net/one-way-to-write-powerhouse-fiction/comment-page-1/#comment-29 Bill Mon, 21 Apr 2008 02:09:19 +0000 http://truevoice-blog.com/?p=40#comment-29 <p>It's good practice to stick with "said" or no tag at all. If you choose the no-tag option, throw in a "said" tag every so often, so the reader won't get lost in the back-and-forth of speaker sequence. Action tags should be used only sparingly, if at all. Personally, I can't stand usages like "You have a great sense of humor," she grinned. Or: "I love you," he panted. When you grin, you grin. When you pant, you pant. When you speak, you speak. I realize there's a metaphorical spirit in there, but it falls flat in our century. </p> It’s good practice to stick with “said” or no tag at all. If you choose the no-tag option, throw in a “said” tag every so often, so the reader won’t get lost in the back-and-forth of speaker sequence. Action tags should be used only sparingly, if at all. Personally, I can’t stand usages like “You have a great sense of humor,” she grinned. Or: “I love you,” he panted. When you grin, you grin. When you pant, you pant. When you speak, you speak. I realize there’s a metaphorical spirit in there, but it falls flat in our century.

]]> By: Usman http://writeabetternovel.net/one-way-to-write-powerhouse-fiction/comment-page-1/#comment-30 Usman Mon, 21 Apr 2008 00:51:40 +0000 http://truevoice-blog.com/?p=40#comment-30 <p>What would you say about the 'said' tag versus the many action tags: he sighed, sneered, hissed etc.</p> <p>I ask because this post is so much about dialog.<br /> Thanks a lot.</p> What would you say about the ‘said’ tag versus the many action tags: he sighed, sneered, hissed etc.

I ask because this post is so much about dialog.
Thanks a lot.

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