Getting fancier with verbs reporting direct speech
Hi everybody,
I'd like to know your opinion on this. First, an example:
"OK," she said.
Question: are we forced to use verbs that convey speech ('say', in this example) in cases like this, or are we allowed to get a bit 'fancier'? For example:
“Come on! It’s not a tragedy,” I backpedaled.
Is this structure correct? Thanks.
Top answer
When you are writing, "said" starts to loom large on the page, and all you see is said, said, said. When you are reading, you don't even see it. It is usually much, much better to let the situation, characterization, and the dialogue itself convey whatever you are tempted to convey with your creative susbstitute.
- When you are writing, "said" starts to loom large on the page, and all you see is said, said, said.
- When you are reading, you don't even see it.
- It is usually much, much better to let the situation, characterization, and the dialogue itself convey whatever you are tempted to convey with your creative susbstitute.
- Of course, if you want the campy air such things lend, go for it.
- A first-person hard-boiled detective story might benefit, for instance.
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When you are writing, "said" starts to loom large on the page, and all you see is said, said, said. When you are reading, you don't even see it. It is usually much, much better to let the situation, characterization, and the dialogue itself convey whatever you are tempted to convey with your creative susbstitute. Of course, if you want the campy air such things lend, go for it. A first-person
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