Attributions: He said, she said
Pam May 13th, 2009
An admonition writers always hear from speakers at conferences is to stick with the venerable “said” as a dialogue tag. Other writers, editors, agents, creative writing teachers, and the authors of writing craft books–all seem to agree.
Every time I hear or read this piece of advice, it seems the very next time I pick up a book, I find countless examples of other attributions: urged, roared, shouted, barked, yelled, whispered, muttered, hissed, and so on. I know the prevailing view on this is that use of these words takes the reader out of the story, but I never feel that way. I enjoy a little roaring, shouting, whispering, and hissing. It doesn’t bother me one bit, unless, of course, it’s used to death. I guess every reader knows what her breaking point is. Continue Reading »
