Banish “said” from your vocabulary


‘I’m afraid she’s dead,’ unveiled the doctor. A silence settled on the room as the family took this in.
‘You’re sure?’ proclaimed Lois, quietly. The doctor nodded.
‘I’m terribly sorry,’ he conversed. ‘It was a peaceful end.’
‘Did she...’ Lois vocalised. ‘Did she have any last words?’
‘Yes,’ nodded the doctor, nodding. ‘She epitaphed a few words before she left us. “Tell my children I love them,” she stated. Then she recapitulated “all of them,” and shortly after that, she went.’
‘I can’t believe it,’ philosophised Lois. ‘I can’t believe she’s gone.’
‘I’m so terribly sorry,’ the doctor gushed.
‘Can I ask a question?’ questioned Lois.
‘Of course,’ dialogued the doctor.
‘If we had brought her in sooner,’ she began, ‘is there anything we could have done,’ she continued, ‘to give her more time?’ she concluded, questioningly.
‘I... I’m afraid not,’ the doctor ejaculated.

42 comments:

  1. I know I’ve covered this before, but the previous example wasn’t up to much, so here’s a new one.

    ReplyDelete
  2. One of my favorites is:

    "Shut up, he explained."
    -- Ring Lardner, The Young Immigrants, 1920

    ReplyDelete
  3. One I'm hoping to use is "'Get the f*** down!"' he hinted."

    ReplyDelete
  4. The stroke of genius is "she went."

    ReplyDelete
  5. I always like a story with a happy ending.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love this! There's not a lot more that can be said.

    ReplyDelete
  7. This was great. I think I'd rather enjoy some more sequels.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love this more than anything. I love it so much I may never say anything again.

    ReplyDelete
  9. "Shit! What about the will?" the man in the corner expectorated.

    ReplyDelete
  10. "Witty and informative," she drizzled

    ReplyDelete
  11. "'yes', nodded the doctor, nodding." A bit redundant, no?

    ReplyDelete
  12. You just made it doubly redundant by quoting it!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Have you seen the "Reasoning with Vampire" blog? Some of those are an exercise in banishing normal dialogue tags

    ReplyDelete
  14. I love Sherlock Holmes stories, but Conan Doyle did make poor old Dr Watson ejaculate all over the place. It makes for quite funny reading at times.

    ReplyDelete
  15. ‘Yes,’ nodded the doctor, nodding. ‘She epitaphed a few words before she left us. “Tell my children I love them,” she stated. Then she recapitulated “all of them,” and shortly after that, she went.’

    Hahaha! Perfect. I hate it when people use "nodded" or "smiled" as a synonym for "said."

    ReplyDelete
  16. I love how all the comments begin with ____ said…

    ReplyDelete
  17. Can't agree about use of "said". All the others you quote are full of attitude; "said" is invisible, modest, reassuring. The real alternative to "said" is a play script, where layout carries the meaning.

    ReplyDelete
  18. 'It's not fair!' stamped the child, stamping.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Sorry but some of your alternatives sound sooo bad, like you have a thesaurus beside you and you're just sticking in an alternative. I really don't think you need to use 'said' or whatever all the time sometimes the conversation flows so much better without it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. "Clearly, you're not fully committed to learning to write badly well," the commenter accused.

      Delete
    2. Ha ha! That's what SHE .... ejaculated?

      Delete
  20. I was wondering when somebody would ejaculate.

    ReplyDelete
  21. "Some people are taking way this too seriously," she mused matter-of-factly with a wide grin.

    ReplyDelete
  22. "Ms. Lois," panted the doctor, "I don't know why you started doing that, nor do I know why I let you. However, as I said, there's nothing you could have done to give her more time."
    An awkward silence fell.
    "Especially," he added, "not that."

    ReplyDelete
  23. All these dialogues are very good. They had a very interesting conversation. Now it's time to avail Appointment Setting for more information.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Very good news is shared in this article. It is very intresting article. I suggest you to keep publishing article like these.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Fairfax Traffic Lawyer will protect you from your traffic violation, and represent in court.

    ReplyDelete
  26. The 'How to Write Badly Well' guide is a humorous and entertaining exploration of the art of writing, offering witty insights into avoiding pitfalls and clichés. It offers a refreshing departure from typical writing guides, incorporating humor and irony into the learning process, making it a delightful read for both aspiring writers and those seeking a laugh.Nueva Jersey Conducción Imprudente

    ReplyDelete
  27. Discover the precise steps to how to extend a protective order in virginia, securing ongoing legal protection.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Avoiding the overuse of the word "said" in writing can improve the variety and flow of dialogue attributions. Alternatives to "said" include "exclaimed," "whispered," "muttered," "shouted," "sighed," "asked," "replied," "inquired," "agreed," and "suggested." Exclaimed is used for loud or excited speech, while whispered indicates a low or hushed tone. Muttered suggests a low, indistinct voice, while shouted conveys loud or forceful speech. Sighed indicates a resigned or weary manner. "Asked" specifies asking a question, while "replied" is used to respond to something previously said. "Inquired" is asking for information, while "agreed" shows agreement with something previously said. "Suggested" suggests an idea or course of action. These alternatives should be used sparingly and appropriately, depending on the tone and context of the writing. Overusing any word or phrase can become distracting, so strive for variety and balance in dialogue attributions Abogado de DUI Fairfax VA.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Looking for a <a href="https://srislawyer.com/traffic-lawyer-sussex-va-traffic-lawyer-sussex-virginia/> Sussex Traffic Lawyer </a> Our skilled legal team is here to help you.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Discover the best plots in Dindigul for your dream home or investment. Explore prime locations with excellent amenities and connectivity. Secure your future with top-rated plots in Dindigul today. YES PROPERTIES

    ReplyDelete
  31. "Banish 'Said' From Your Vocabulary" encourages writers to enhance their dialogue by replacing overused words like "said" with more expressive alternatives. By using varied dialogue tags and actions, this approach adds depth and emotion to conversations, making writing more engaging and dynamic for readers while avoiding repetition.
    uncontested divorce lawyers in virginia beach






    ReplyDelete
  32. This was great. I think I'd rather enjoy some more sequels. Looking for a brain injury attorney in Virginia? Our experienced legal team is here to help you recover damages for traumatic brain injuries. virginia brain injury attorney

    ReplyDelete
  33. Great advice for writers looking to add variety and depth to their dialogue! Replacing 'said' with more descriptive verbs can really bring conversations to life. It’s also a fun way to expand vocabulary. Would love to see a list of creative alternatives or examples from popular literature! personal injury lawyer norfolk

    ReplyDelete