Rachelle Allen: YAAAAAY!! I knew this one had star quality!! Congratulations to you!

July 22, 2022 at 11:09PM

karenina: Yes! So well deserved! Congrats!

July 23, 2022 at 2:01AM

evilynne: Yes, of course. We all like to eavesdrop on her characters. Evi

July 1, 2022 at 2:31PM

evilynne: That should be "our characters"

July 1, 2022 at 4:27PM

nor84: For the record, Dean Koontz and I agree on this point: it's fine to occasionally something other than "said, asked, etc." BUT the tag must be a way of speaking. People cannot laugh words, grin words, nor can they growl or hiss. Said, asked, etc. are invisible to the reader and offer no distraction but sometimes you want to use something like murmured or whispered. Stay away from tags like interjected, queried, ground out, wanted to know and the like. The only purpose of the tag is if you absolutely need it to identify the speaker. With only two people in the scene, the reader can follow the conversation without any tags at all just as long as you set it up who is speaking first and to whom they're speaking.

June 13, 2022 at 10:06AM

giraffmang: I agree with Nor here. One of the reasons said and asked are the recommended tags is because the brain recognises them without drawing attention. They are functional, which is what speech tags should be. When you use more emotive ones, it can distract from what is being said to how it is being said. The occasional one is fine but when you see whole sections of dialogue using different ones, it starts to grate after a while. It's better to let the actual dialogue do the work when required. Also be very wary of using modifiers after the tag as well. usually these come in the shape of an adverb. Adverbs are telling words, rather than utilising showing. Always remember the balance and what you're trying to achieve.

June 13, 2022 at 10:37AM

nor84: There's something else you can do, but beware this can be overused and becomes distracting if that happens. Use punctuation and "beats" Instead of tags, but only occasionally, and only when they make sense. Here's what I mean: Picture is seen where a man named Jack is sitting in our business meeting and not getting his way. He's irritated and does this: "I'm outta here!" Jack pushed up from his chair, turned on his heel, and stalked out of the room. See? No speech tag at all but let me say it again the exclammation point says that he said this angrily, the action shows he's angry, and he's identified by action, not by "Jack said." But don't overdo it, especially not the use of the exclamation point. Avoid inane actions, like Jack frowned, Jack nodded, Jack smiled and use them only when it seems appropriate after showing what else is going on in the scene.

June 14, 2022 at 10:56PM

Allezw2: It doesn't have to, and that is why we have intellect and imagination and words to express our feelings if we only will!

March 12, 2021 at 2:08AM

Bonnie Seach : It is simple. A human is designed to advance to full growth, strength and maturity. This incorporates the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of the nature of each individual. Imagine a 45 year old male that isn't potty trained or a 35 year old woman who cannot nurture and nourish her infant. If each individual functions properly the whole body of a family is built up to strengthen one another, society and an entire nation.

May 1, 2021 at 8:17AM

Unwanted Dog-9
Five Sticky Fingers

Booted
Cody Kicked Out Of Contest

Unwanted Dog-8
Mental Inventory

Festival
Cody Surprised By Trip To Telluride Film Festival

Unwanted Dog-4
Would You Catch A Falling Star?

Invitation
Not All They're Cracked Up To Be

Unwanted Dog-3
I Get In A Fight At Hermitage Hall