Timeline for I'm getting tired of "he said" "she said" in dialogue; how do I get around it?
Current License: CC BY-SA 3.0
20 events
| when toggle format | what | by | license | comment | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 5, 2015 at 3:47 | comment | added | Nicole | That "the dialog should convey the character's mood" is true enough. But showing that mood via dialog can (will typically?) require changes in the dialog itself, which may or may not be appropriate, in context. Sometimes, telling is the way to go. | |
| S Jun 10, 2013 at 22:17 | history | suggested | user5232 | CC BY-SA 3.0 |
blockquote of sample text, phrase reordered, paragraph breaks (hopefully) separating by character
|
| Jun 10, 2013 at 21:00 | review | Suggested edits | |||
| S Jun 10, 2013 at 22:17 | |||||
| S Apr 12, 2013 at 7:19 | history | suggested | Joe Z. | CC BY-SA 3.0 |
Fixed grammar.
|
| Apr 12, 2013 at 4:31 | review | Suggested edits | |||
| S Apr 12, 2013 at 7:19 | |||||
| Jun 17, 2012 at 2:07 | comment | added | J.R. | I agree that the method is overused in this answer. Then again, we're just trying to illustrate the technique here, so one might expect it might be used a bit densely in this small snippet, simply to show different ways the technique could be applied. I wouldn't expect a whole novel to read like this, but those are good examples of how to break up a monotonous string of he said/she said, which is what the O.P. wanted. | |
| Mar 20, 2012 at 3:24 | comment | added | Edward Rose | you can keep your laws, old man. xxx | |
| Jan 10, 2012 at 10:06 | comment | added | Charles Stewart | '"show don't tell" Nazis' - Plenty of showing in your text, and it's just distracting filler. Usually in dialog, dialog is what's interesting and engaging to the reader, and you should only interrupt it with something significant. Oh, and Godwin's law, you pox-ridden, crystal-hugging hippie. | |
| Jan 3, 2012 at 16:48 | comment | added | Slick23 | I have to agree this isn't a good example. If you have to constantly explain your dialogue to the reader, it's not good dialogue. | |
| Jun 23, 2011 at 15:54 | comment | added | kindall | I imagine Edward put his example together in a few minutes, and really doubt he intended for it to be classic literature for the ages! I agree this can be a useful technique. I find using dialog tags useful to help readers keep track of who's saying what, but that doesn't mean every utterance needs to be tagged. | |
| Jun 23, 2011 at 14:14 | comment | added | Edward Rose | I think too much emphasis is put on these strict rules, I just find it so sterile when a writer keeps religiously to the "show dont tell" doctrine. Its not enjoyable to read; its just base, contextless and void of artistic substance. None of my favourite writers observe it as fervantly as some of the people on this site- I'd actually prefer purple prose in place of some useless, often irrelavent, totalitarian and arbitrary "law". It's a shame. | |
| Jun 23, 2011 at 8:14 | comment | added | Craig Sefton | Don't mind telling instead of showing - when it's necessary. | |
| Jun 23, 2011 at 2:11 | comment | added | Edward Rose | I guess you're one of the many "show don't tell" Nazis hahaha. You guys crack me up | |
| Jun 22, 2011 at 19:11 | comment | added | Craig Sefton | I strongly disagree with this answer. The example given above actually demonstrates why you shouldn't (overuse) this method. The dialogue becomes completely flat as a result, and you're explaining/showing things you don't need to. Why mention the face is morose, or concerned? The dialogue should reveal the character's mood. Why mention he's avoiding the question when we already know he doesn't answer? Why mention he shakes his head when we know he disagrees? Why mention he gives an "impatient sigh"? All of this is just fluff, and detracts from the actual dialogue. @kindall's answer is spot on. | |
| Jun 22, 2011 at 11:38 | comment | added | RolandiXor | In my opinion this answer deserves more up votes in light of modern reality :). | |
| Jun 22, 2011 at 2:38 | comment | added | Edward Rose | I personally enjoy ignoring the purported "rules of writing". Its an existential artform, just write what you want, man. Look at Cormac McCarthy, he doesnt even use quotation marks because his character's voices are so distinctive and strong. | |
| Jun 22, 2011 at 2:25 | comment | added | RolandiXor | So as a writer, especially in 2011, where such annoying formalities only matter to the constipated :D... can I just ignore the "he said she said" rule? (I'd love it). | |
| Jun 22, 2011 at 2:23 | vote | accept | RolandiXor | ||
| Jun 22, 2011 at 1:50 | comment | added | Edward Rose | I also agree with the above answer however, but if you're dialogue isn't particularly engaging in terms of the overall narrative (i.e. if its just phatic talk to create awkwardness)- the reader may begin to completely switch off constantly reading "He said/she said". | |
| Jun 22, 2011 at 1:48 | history | answered | Edward Rose | CC BY-SA 3.0 |