I have been told that I use too many exclamation points. I am trying to prune them out. I also agree with advice that 'said' is a near invisible dialog tag. On rare occasion it strikes me as the wrong choice.
I have a question. The phrase:
Sounds correct to me in my current project. I could prune the exclamation point, change the tag to 'said' or do both.
But none of these sound as right to me. In particular, the last one sounds blasé.
So, despite the advice that I receive, that I use too many exclamation points and should be careful with dialog tags, my instinct tells me the first version should be left as is. I understand that it is my call, but I am curious if you agree with my instincts, ... because I want to learn the ropes from people actually writing.
I have a question. The phrase:
“There’s hundreds!” Jane exclaimed.
Sounds correct to me in my current project. I could prune the exclamation point, change the tag to 'said' or do both.
“There’s hundreds,” Jane exclaimed.
“There’s hundreds!” Jane said.
“There’s hundreds,” Jane said.
But none of these sound as right to me. In particular, the last one sounds blasé.
So, despite the advice that I receive, that I use too many exclamation points and should be careful with dialog tags, my instinct tells me the first version should be left as is. I understand that it is my call, but I am curious if you agree with my instincts, ... because I want to learn the ropes from people actually writing.
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