Overuse of the Adjective “Said”
I’ve tried not to be a snob on this one. Really, I have. In the last few years, though, I feel I’ve gotten pickier. As I’ve progressed in my writing, I’ve worked hard not to use the word “said,” instead, replacing it with other descriptors. I want to convey emotion, describe exactly what’s going on in the scene. I want you to know exactly the who, what, when, where, and why. “Said” just doesn’t cut the mustard.
As I’m reading novels for pleasure, I’m feeling my irk level rise. More and more authors are getting away from the creative style in dialogue. Even some of my favorite authors are guilty of this. The past several books I’ve read (or listened to on audio…which, I might add, makes it even worse!) seem to revert back to the childlike way of writing dialogue. I can feel myself cringe when I read a scene and every line includes this annoying adjective. Come on, people. Use another word! I want to know exactly how that character is feeling. I want to know what’s going on inside their head. It’s very hard to picture the story when every back and forth between characters involves nothing more than “said.”
Sure, you can involve punctuation and other elements into the scenes to get the point across. Really, though, how hard is it to change that one word to something different? To me, a novel reads amateurish when all it has to offer is THAT word. And it makes it so much worse when I see it come from a veteran author (who I know is capable of SO much more). Which poses the question: Is it the author, or is this some strange trend coming out of the woodwork?
My answer: God, I hope not. It displays a lack of creativity and maturity. The eloquence of the English language is left at the door and we’re all left to suffer. I can’t lie. I’m at the point where I’ll stop reading a book if the author uses that word too often. The story better be damn good to get me to see past it.
I can promise you this. You will not see something so awful from me.
“Write would not should be forgotten…”- Isabel Allende
