Writer’s_Magic
Sage
Often, I read it isn’t a good idea to use “said”. But many other authors wrote in their blogs, you should use it. So, my question is now: How many “said” (or other dialogue tags) is ok?
Often, I read it isn’t a good idea to use “said”.
Heliotrope And the rest is action?
“If in doubt of the speaker, use said,” he said.
She said, “And note, he didn’t say it in any way with a -ly adverb.”
I've kind of learned the opposite, when in doubt, just use said. It is often the mark of a beginner writer that every bit of dialog has a different attributive attached to it.
For myself, I don't really stop and ask about this anymore. I just do what feels right. Often, I am looking for where I can drop the dialog tag altogether and not use anything. But sometimes that affects clarity.
This I wholeheartedly agree with. There's no reason to limit the use of all the tools in your writerly toolbox.All of them.
But actually, that's not really how i use them, either.
"...," she began with a soft smile across her face that made him want nothing more than to listen to her, and yet forget to, all at once.
"...," he asked, having no idea how stupid he sounded because he completely missed what she just said.
"...," she answered as if repeating herself was normal.
"...," she continued explaining the point he kept missing.
"...," he cut in.
"...," she went on, ignoring him.