What are your tips and tricks for avoiding dialog tags?

Well, the good thing is you got a movie script too.

 

Hi KaTrian,

That McInerney's example is very realistic talk, imo. Just like we really talk. Not sure if I can pull it off though.

 

You use a mix of tags and beats, Peachalulu. It is convincing. I guess, I will go with a mix too.

 

Thanks for that realization, Simpson. I made a note of it the "he said, she said" dialogue tags in the middle of the line, as I think you are right.

 

I like using a mix of actions and tags, but I also like spicing it up with more than just "said"- muttered, snorted, exclaimed, explained, whispered, called, etc- though I know a lot of writers frown on this.
I think that gives the reader a more vivid description of how the line was said, which I think is important. (by the way, if you can provide a valid argument why I should just stick to boring old "said", I'd be interested in hearing it.)

 

I utterly refuse to use 'said' or any variation there on. I think the speech marks show well enough someone is speaking. If they are shouting or whispering or something then I'll describe that but for most of my dialogue it's just not needed. I like to use actions, when they are doing something useful, but if not then I don't see a problem of just having a few lines of dialogue going back and forth with nothing between them but white space. It keeps the pace of the scene up and helps keep the focus on the characters and what they are saying.

 

Because the dialogue, characterisation and context should, 95% of the time, be strong enough to portray how something is said. If your writing is strong, you don't need to tell the reader what's going on. And if it isn't strong enough, 'spicy' dialogue tags won't fix the real problem.

 

Theoretically, if your writing is effective enough the reader will be able to interpret tone of voice by how you're portraying the characters in a scene. If it's not clear that your character is upset, shocked, frustrated, etc. without excessive dialogue attributions, it might be a sign that you haven't painted the picture well enough with your words.

In my personal experience, a valid reason why you should stick to boring old "said" is that if you ever get to the point where you'll be working with a professional editor, they're very likely going to ask you to take 90% of them out. You will save yourself a lot of time if you just stop using them in the first place.

ETA: Or what @Tenderiser said more succintly.

 

Are you trying to tell me that agents don't actually care to see my poop doodles?

I could have sworn that was about to land me a deal.

 

And so it goes

 

*Raises hands in submission*
Ok, ok. Guess this means first on the list of things to edit is my use of adverbs.

 

For me, this is usually only when the words are in disagreement with the adverb.

"I love you," she said angrily.

"Get the fuck in the car before I slit your throat," he said happily.

Etc., etc.

And again, a lot of this can and should be in the context, but I like a well-placed adverb here and there.

 

I like occasional adverbs too, especially for comic effect. But I really don't like most 'said' alternatives. The occasional 'replied' or 'responded' or 'called' is okay with me, and ones that indicative volume (whispered, shouted) but anything more 'creative' comes off cartoonish.

 

I agree. Stromsong. Why would anyone frown at whispered or answered instead of said.

 

I get your point, Tenderiser. My favorite is "opined".

 

I get your point, Tenderiser. My favorite is "opined".

 

Interesting characters that you describe above, Spencer. Never read anything like it before.

 

So true, Homer P!

 

I don't have any valid argument. Necessary for orientation only. If it is clear who is talking, I say drop the tag. However, when more than 3 people talk, you might have to throw a tag or an action into the dialog...

 

I actually am actively annoyed by constant use of "said" as the be-all end-all of tags when reading contemporary fiction. People claim they are invisible, and maybe they are to themselves and potentially to the populace at large—I can't argue against others' experiences. But only in the same way they can't argue against mine. And I see each one repeated over-and-over-and-over and it's like nails on a chalkboard—and often the sheer indifferent absence of expression comes off jarring, particularly when there is obviously meant to be emotion or attitude colouring the speech.

I don't see other tags as "alternatives to said" but very particular words with particular meanings and specific times they ought to be used.

To say is not to sputter, is not to quip, is not to gush, is not to drone or gripe or assert or yell, et cetera. Each is a unique word that conveys unique expressions. That's why we found these words to express them; that's why they're here.

Now I am not advocating every single tag requires to always be this descriptive. Obviously not. That irrefutably is obnoxious and unnecessary.

But there is a time and a place for them.

And I'm just as exasperated at the failure or avoidance to use them when they deserve to be there & serve a valuable function as others are at writers unthinkingly throwing them about their prose like confetti at a party.

But people are allowed to only like the use of "said" as a tag. Others are allowed to dislike all tags and only use beats. Others are allowed to dislike any beats or tags at all. And I am allowed to like what I like when reading prose. We don't all agree, and we don't have to. It just seems all sides get incredibly adamant about defending & converting others to their own opinions.

 

Agreed - I definitely use alternatives to "said" on occasion. But dialogue attributions that are pumped up to 11 unnecessarily come off as silly or pulpy.

Writers are free to do what they like, but as @Homer Potvin pointed out they can potentially give a bad first impression when submitting. And like I said, most professional editors will gut them from your manuscript if you get to that point, so for me it's just more efficient to not use them in the first place.