> I heard an interview with Elmore Leaonard once where
he discussed writing
> dialogue. He said ne tries never to use adverbs to
describe how someone
says
> something. He believes the words themselves should
convey the feeling
behind
> them. Now I use this as a barometer to assess
writing craft. It's pretty
> accurate.
>
> I always marvel at writers who can do this. I sure
can't.
We're told that in our workshops as well, and I've come to
believe it. Just use "said" for all tags. It has to do with
trusting the reader instead of trying to be too careful or
assume the reader won't get it. So, I'm comfortable using
said, because it makes me think more about the way people
talk, the words and rhythms, instead of depending on the
stand-by emotional tags.
And it's a nice hard-boiled way to write dialogue. A Hammett
and Hemingway thing, eh?
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