Limiting the variety of dialogue tags, a "rule of thumb" in the literary world, was very difficult for me to accept. As a second grade writing teacher I often encouraged my students to think of other words to describe their characters' dialogue other than 'said'.
Yet during the production of my first novel, my editor suggested that using more flowery dialogue tags were unnecessary. I remained unconvinced, but took her advice half-way...meaning I deleted some of my tags but kept many of them. Even after reading some well written posts on the subject I couldn't bring myself to agree with what was essentially the opposite of what I had been teaching my students.
However, I began to pay attention to tags used in other books...those by prolific, best-selling authors. As you might have guessed, there was little variation from the word 'said'. And when the speaker was obvious, there might not be a dialogue tag at all.
So I have tried to scale down my use of 'commented' and 'reproached' and 'moaned' (etc).
In addition to that is the overuse of adverbs hooked to tags such as 'she said joyfully'. This is a particular weakness of mine. I am learning, however, that if I take more care in what my characters are actually saying, I don't have to tell my readers how it was said. I can assume they are smart enough to know.
Take for example, "I'm so excited!" Sara shouted gleefully or "Thank you so much," she whispered thankfully. The adverbs are completely redundant. We can infer quite easily the speaker's emotion from the words.
For more on this suggestion check out the following articles:
http://www.writing-world.com/fiction/said.shtml
http://www.fiction-writers-mentor.com/dialogue-tags.html
Monday, January 31, 2011
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Hint #2: Does everyone have to have a name?
Author and writing consultant, Rick Shelton, made a statement in a recent workshop that has stuck with me. Although he was giving a Writing Workshop on how we as educators could better instruct children in the art of writing, his truths hit home with me, an author, as well.
"A character should only have a name if he or she does something important in the story."
Hmm. After I thought about it, the statement was so obvious I wanted to slap my hand against my forehead. After all, if the character is so minor that he contributes little or nothing to the plot, why do we care what his name is?
As readers of fiction, we want to connect with the characters in the story. And one of the first ways anyone connects is by knowing another's name. Yet if I give a name to everyone in the story, it devalues the main characters, as well as disconnects the reader. Once a character is named, we automatically begin to picture that character in our mind. We try to form an opinion of that character. Are we going to like this person or not? How is he important to the plot? What is he going to do?
Take for example the beginning (paraphrased) of a recent young author's short story:
Me and my friends, Mallory Grace and Susan and Emily and Emma Claire all went to the mall. Mallory Grace and I decided to get an ice cream. I got chocolate chip and Mallory Grace ordered a plain vanilla. While we were sitting in the food court enjoying our frozen treats we saw some cute boys.
Well, okay. Where did Susan and Emily and Emma Claire go? If they are no longer going to be in the story, do I really have to know their names? The answer, of course, is no.
The young author could just as easily have begun with something like, "I went to the mall with Mallory Grace and some friends."
Again, although the examples are elementary, the truths are still valid. So consider, please, if it is truly important to give a name to the post man, the bus driver, and the sister-in-law's pet poodle. Unless they have more than a ten second part in the story, it's not impolite to allow them to remain nameless.
If you found this hint helpful, you may want to read more from Rick Shelton: http://www.rickshelton.us/
"A character should only have a name if he or she does something important in the story."
Hmm. After I thought about it, the statement was so obvious I wanted to slap my hand against my forehead. After all, if the character is so minor that he contributes little or nothing to the plot, why do we care what his name is?
As readers of fiction, we want to connect with the characters in the story. And one of the first ways anyone connects is by knowing another's name. Yet if I give a name to everyone in the story, it devalues the main characters, as well as disconnects the reader. Once a character is named, we automatically begin to picture that character in our mind. We try to form an opinion of that character. Are we going to like this person or not? How is he important to the plot? What is he going to do?
Take for example the beginning (paraphrased) of a recent young author's short story:
Me and my friends, Mallory Grace and Susan and Emily and Emma Claire all went to the mall. Mallory Grace and I decided to get an ice cream. I got chocolate chip and Mallory Grace ordered a plain vanilla. While we were sitting in the food court enjoying our frozen treats we saw some cute boys.
Well, okay. Where did Susan and Emily and Emma Claire go? If they are no longer going to be in the story, do I really have to know their names? The answer, of course, is no.
The young author could just as easily have begun with something like, "I went to the mall with Mallory Grace and some friends."
Again, although the examples are elementary, the truths are still valid. So consider, please, if it is truly important to give a name to the post man, the bus driver, and the sister-in-law's pet poodle. Unless they have more than a ten second part in the story, it's not impolite to allow them to remain nameless.
If you found this hint helpful, you may want to read more from Rick Shelton: http://www.rickshelton.us/
A Tale of Forgiveness, Redemption, and Love
Until Forever, a Christian romance written by Darlene Shortridge is a modern day tale of tragic loss, the consequences of poor actions, the choice of forgiveness and love, and God's will for our lives.
Shortridge shares the story of Jessi, a fearful mother who pours her whole existence into her child, and her husband, Mark, an alcoholic. Neither feels deserving of love, even from each other. Tragic circumstances tear apart their tenuous relationship and years pass before they see each other again.
Meanwhile, God continues to work in their lives through praying Christians who seek to share God's love and plan of salvation with both hurting souls. As the story unfolds we see one of the two make a choice to accept Christ and the huge difference it makes in that character's life. The leaves the question, will Mark and Jessi both find the Lord? And will they forgive each other and regain their marriage?
The plot of this story was compelling and powerful. Although the author's style of writing was not one I typically enjoy, there were time where I was surprised, parts where I cried, and scenes where I rejoiced right along with the characters. For those women who enjoy a tale of loss and love, written with a strong Christian hand, this book if for you!
Shortridge shares the story of Jessi, a fearful mother who pours her whole existence into her child, and her husband, Mark, an alcoholic. Neither feels deserving of love, even from each other. Tragic circumstances tear apart their tenuous relationship and years pass before they see each other again.
Meanwhile, God continues to work in their lives through praying Christians who seek to share God's love and plan of salvation with both hurting souls. As the story unfolds we see one of the two make a choice to accept Christ and the huge difference it makes in that character's life. The leaves the question, will Mark and Jessi both find the Lord? And will they forgive each other and regain their marriage?
The plot of this story was compelling and powerful. Although the author's style of writing was not one I typically enjoy, there were time where I was surprised, parts where I cried, and scenes where I rejoiced right along with the characters. For those women who enjoy a tale of loss and love, written with a strong Christian hand, this book if for you!
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