Dialogue (fiction)
Encyclopedia
Dialogue in fiction is a verbal exchange between two or more characters. If there is only one character, who is talking to himself in his mind, it is known as interior monologue.
is speaking. An example would be:
"This breakfast is making me sick," George said.
The George said is the identifier. Said is the verb
most writers use because reader familiarity with said prevents it from drawing attention to itself. Although other verbs such as ask, shout, or reply are acceptable, some identifiers get in the reader's way. For example:
"Hello," he croaked nervously, "my name's Horace. What's yours?" he asked with as much aplomb as he could muster.
Stephen King
, in his book On Writing
, believes said is the best identifier to use. King recommends reading a novel by Larry McMurtry
, who he claims has mastered the art of well-written dialogue.
Substitutes are known as said-bookisms. For example, in the sentence "What do you mean?" he smiled., the word smiled is a said-bookism.
Identifiers
Identifiers, also known as tag lines, dialogue tags or attributions, let the reader know which characterFictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
is speaking. An example would be:
"This breakfast is making me sick," George said.
The George said is the identifier. Said is the verb
Verb
A verb, from the Latin verbum meaning word, is a word that in syntax conveys an action , or a state of being . In the usual description of English, the basic form, with or without the particle to, is the infinitive...
most writers use because reader familiarity with said prevents it from drawing attention to itself. Although other verbs such as ask, shout, or reply are acceptable, some identifiers get in the reader's way. For example:
"Hello," he croaked nervously, "my name's Horace. What's yours?" he asked with as much aplomb as he could muster.
Stephen King
Stephen King
Stephen Edwin King is an American author of contemporary horror, suspense, science fiction and fantasy fiction. His books have sold more than 350 million copies and have been adapted into a number of feature films, television movies and comic books...
, in his book On Writing
On Writing
On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft is a memoir and writing guide book by Stephen King, published in 2000. It is a book about the prolific author's experiences as a writer. In 2008, Entertainment Weekly listed On Writing 21st on their list of The New Classics: Books - The 100 best reads from 1983 to...
, believes said is the best identifier to use. King recommends reading a novel by Larry McMurtry
Larry McMurtry
Larry Jeff McMurtry is an American novelist, essayist, bookseller and screenwriter whose work is predominantly set in either the old West or in contemporary Texas...
, who he claims has mastered the art of well-written dialogue.
Substitutes are known as said-bookisms. For example, in the sentence "What do you mean?" he smiled., the word smiled is a said-bookism.
External links
- Fiction Writing: Top 9 Tips for Writing Realistic Dialogue
- Tips for Fiction Writers: Dialogue
- "Stop Using Those Said Bookisms," the Editor Shrieked