Have you ever seen a post on Tumblr or Pinterest that says something like “75 words to use instead of ‘said?'” Those posts can be helpful because the general premise is correct. Using “said” over and over is both boring and repetitive. It looks strange on paper. Also, some posts, like this one, can have some really helpful words that indicate emotion like “bellowed.” However, as writers, we should not be afraid of using standard words like “said,” “asked,” and “replied.” There is a reason why those words are the standard. They’re simple, and you can avoid clumsy verbs. You don’t want your work to read like a thesaurus. So, how do we avoid using “said” too much without using awkward words?
Archives for April 2018
Book Review: Elantris by Brandon Sanderson
I recently finished Elantris by Brandon Sanderson. The novel was originally published in 2005, and it is his debut. To be honest, I’m not sure how I feel about this book. I…
10 Creative Writing Prompts to Get Your Group Started
This article is part five of a series about starting your own creative writing group/club. Part one is here. Topics will include giving constructive criticism, running a workshop, and writing…
Four Creative Writing Games to Get Your Group Started
This article is part four of a series about starting your own creative writing group/club. Part one is here. Topics will include giving constructive criticism, running a workshop, and writing…