Oh, dear. It’s that time of year again when the days grow warmer and the honeysuckle’s on the breeze and my little toesies wiggle in flip flops. And I have a terrible time, sitting inside at my laptop, writing, when what I really want to do is go outside and play.
Maybe if I had this awesome blog planner, courtesy of Erica over at Confessions of a Homeschooler, it would help. Of course, I’d still have to write everything down on the pages to get myself organized which would involve…oh, dear. More writing.
But at least I came across this delightful blog post about dialogue tags from Dottie over at Trust Me…I’m a Writer for when I absolutely have to get some work done on the novel manuscript.
I have to admit that “said” is my go to dialogue tag, but I’ll occasionally throw in a “grunted” or “snarled.” And I’m a big fan of “whispered.” Oh! And yelled. As in “Hold your horses,” she yelled. “I just have one more sentence to write.”
Cathy C. Hall Writes 
You are a dedicated writer if you can stay indoors when the weather is beautiful. I sat outside and finished a book yesterday afternoon.
Well, that’s the problem, Linda–I’ve been playing hooky WAY too much! 😉
Yesterday was lovely, but I was inside a bowling alley on a field trip with my grandson. It was a blast! Being around teenagers instantly lifts my spirits.
Oh, and thanks for the links to the blogs. The blog planner is awesome!
Isn’t it, though? I’m always impressed with busy people who seem to get ever so much more done than say, not-so-busy people. Like me. 😉
Sometimes I HAVE to take a walk oustside so I can come back in and settle down to write! (Like today, for instance.) Love the post – who knew that Dotti Enderle was a dialogue tag collector? What a fun list. Though I must say I don’t really see myself ever switching “said” for “onomatopoeiad.” [And shouldn’t there be another e before that final d? Hmmmm…..]
Completely agree about the “e.” And the onoma…whatever…;-)
I hear ya, I just bought a sundress and brand new pair of flip flips today! It’s not so much that I want to get outside and play (it’s kinda hot today!) as it is I want to write something decent. Although I can hear the kids playing with the hose in the back yard and it does sound fun! 🙂
THE HOSE!!!!!! Count me in!
Cathy–I like “said” too. I’ve heard that we shouldn’t call attention the verb by saying, “he snickered/trilled/shrieked” and so on. The dialogue needs to be the focus; “said” should be invisible.
I mentioned your name in my most recent post. Or rather, your husband…You’d better have Cathy-on-a-Stick check it out.
Uh-oh. Off I go, Sioux! 🙂
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