Preventing Redundancy in Your Writer's Craft
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In this guest post, we embark on a journey with acclaimed author Doug Lewars, as he shares insights into his writing journey and offers valuable advice on crafting engaging dialogue.
As we travel along, Doug engages in a conversation about their location and the distance to their destination. "After all, we did have to detour," the second person remarks, to which Doug replies, "True, but we've come a long way." The speaker implies they are close to their destination, saying, "We can't have far to go." However, the second person expresses a slight concern, "It might be farther than you think."
Doug Lewars, a prolific writer, has published ten books on Smashwords.com, and his passion for writing is evident in his work. Outside of his literary pursuits, Doug enjoys reading, fishing, and sweets of all sorts.
In the realm of dialogue, Doug offers practical tips to keep conversations dynamic and natural. One such strategy is to use alternative dialogue tags that convey mood or action, such as whispered, shouted, replied, muttered, exclaimed, or asked. These tags should fit the character’s tone or situation without sounding forced or overly ornate.
Another approach is to incorporate action beats or body language between or instead of tags, which show who is speaking and add context without using any dialogue tag at all. For example, "You’re late." She tapped her watch or "He ran his fingers through his hair before answering." These techniques enrich the scene while avoiding tag overuse.
Relying on simple "said" tags sparingly is also crucial, as "said" is unobtrusive and often the best choice. Overusing fancier synonyms can distract or feel unnatural, so balance is key.
Omitting tags entirely when the speakers are clear from context, especially in back-and-forth exchanges, can maintain reader engagement and smooth flow without repetitive tagging.
In summary, instead of constantly repeating "said," alternate dialogue tags thoughtfully, use descriptive actions to indicate speakers, and sometimes omit tags when the conversation is clear. This approach keeps dialogue dynamic, natural, and more immersive.
As our journey with Doug Lewars continues, we invite you to explore more of his work and follow his advice on crafting captivating dialogue. Don't forget to share this insightful article with your friends and connect with us on various social media platforms using the provided links. After all, as Doug would say, "We can't have far to go."
Well, there's only one way to find out. Let's keep exploring!
Engaging in a discussion about alternative ways to enhance learning, Doug Lewars suggests utilizing online education platforms for self-development, emphasizing the importance of incorporating diverse learning methods, such as videos, interactive quizzes, and online forums, to deliver educational content in an immersive and effective manner.
Having experienced the benefits of online education himself, Doug encourages individuals to continually strive for education-and-self-development, highlighting that boundless resources are available, enabling anyone to expand their knowledge and skills at their own pace.
