lan

For the writers struggling to rid themselves of the classic ‘said’. Some are repeated in different categories since they fit multiple ones (but those are counted once so it adds up to 100 new words). 

1. Neutral Tags 

Straightforward and unobtrusive dialogue tags: 

Added, Replied, Stated, Remarked, Responded, Observed, Acknowledged, Commented, Noted, Voiced, Expressed, Shared, Answered, Mentioned, Declared.

2. Questioning Tags 

Curious, interrogative dialogue tags:

Asked, Queried, Wondered, Probed, Inquired, Requested, Pondered, Demanded, Challenged, Interjected, Investigated, Countered, Snapped, Pleaded, Insisted.

3. Emotive Tags 

Emotional dialogue tags:

Exclaimed, Shouted, Sobbed, Whispered, Cried, Hissed, Gasped, Laughed, Screamed, Stammered, Wailed, Murmured, Snarled, Choked, Barked.

4. Descriptive Tags 

Insightful, tonal dialogue tags: 

Muttered, Mumbled, Yelled, Uttered, Roared, Bellowed, Drawled, Spoke, Shrieked, Boomed, Snapped, Groaned, Rasped, Purred, Croaked.

5. Action-Oriented Tags 

Movement-based dialogue tags: 

Announced, Admitted, Interrupted, Joked, Suggested, Offered, Explained, Repeated, Advised, Warned, Agreed, Confirmed, Ordered, Reassured, Stated.

6. Conflict Tags 

Argumentative, defiant dialogue tags:

Argued, Snapped, Retorted, Rebuked, Disputed, Objected, Contested, Barked, Protested, Countered, Growled, Scoffed, Sneered, Challenged, Huffed.

7. Agreement Tags 

Understanding, compliant dialogue tags: 

Agreed, Assented, Nodded, Confirmed, Replied, Conceded, Acknowledged, Accepted, Affirmed, Yielded, Supported, Echoed, Consented, Promised, Concurred.

8. Disagreement Tags 

Resistant, defiant dialogue tags: 

Denied, Disagreed, Refused, Argued, Contradicted, Insisted, Protested, Objected, Rejected, Declined, Countered, Challenged, Snubbed, Dismissed, Rebuked.

9. Confused Tags 

Hesitant, uncertain dialogue tags:

Stammered, Hesitated, Fumbled, Babbled, Mumbled, Faltered, Stumbled, Wondered, Pondered, Stuttered, Blurted, Doubted, Confessed, Vacillated.

10. Surprise Tags

Shock-inducing dialogue tags:

Gasped, Stunned, Exclaimed, Blurted, Wondered, Staggered, Marvelled, Breathed, Recoiled, Jumped, Yelped, Shrieked, Stammered.

Note: everyone is entitled to their own opinion. No I am NOT telling people to abandon said and use these. Yes I understand that said is often good enough, but sometimes you WANT to draw attention to how the character is speaking. If you think adding an action/movement to your dialogue is 'good enough' hate to break it to you but that ruins immersion much more than a casual 'mumbled'. And for the last time: this is just a resource list, CALM DOWN. Hope that covers all the annoyingly redundant replies :)

Looking For More Writing Tips And Tricks? 

Check out the rest of Quillology with Haya; a blog dedicated to writing and publishing tips for authors!

For the writers struggling to rid themselves of the classic ‘said’. Some are repeated in different categories since they fit multiple ones (but those are counted once so it adds up to 100 new words). 

1. Neutral Tags 

Straightforward and unobtrusive dialogue tags: 

Added, Replied, Stated, Remarked, Responded, Observed, Acknowledged, Commented, Noted, Voiced, Expressed, Shared, Answered, Mentioned, Declared.

2. Questioning Tags 

Curious, interrogative dialogue tags:

Asked, Queried, Wondered, Probed, Inquired, Requested, Pondered, Demanded, Challenged, Interjected, Investigated, Countered, Snapped, Pleaded, Insisted.

3. Emotive Tags 

Emotional dialogue tags:

Exclaimed, Shouted, Sobbed, Whispered, Cried, Hissed, Gasped, Laughed, Screamed, Stammered, Wailed, Murmured, Snarled, Choked, Barked.

4. Descriptive Tags 

Insightful, tonal dialogue tags: 

Muttered, Mumbled, Yelled, Uttered, Roared, Bellowed, Drawled, Spoke, Shrieked, Boomed, Snapped, Groaned, Rasped, Purred, Croaked.

5. Action-Oriented Tags 

Movement-based dialogue tags: 

Announced, Admitted, Interrupted, Joked, Suggested, Offered, Explained, Repeated, Advised, Warned, Agreed, Confirmed, Ordered, Reassured, Stated.

6. Conflict Tags 

Argumentative, defiant dialogue tags:

Argued, Snapped, Retorted, Rebuked, Disputed, Objected, Contested, Barked, Protested, Countered, Growled, Scoffed, Sneered, Challenged, Huffed.

7. Agreement Tags 

Understanding, compliant dialogue tags: 

Agreed, Assented, Nodded, Confirmed, Replied, Conceded, Acknowledged, Accepted, Affirmed, Yielded, Supported, Echoed, Consented, Promised, Concurred.

8. Disagreement Tags 

Resistant, defiant dialogue tags: 

Denied, Disagreed, Refused, Argued, Contradicted, Insisted, Protested, Objected, Rejected, Declined, Countered, Challenged, Snubbed, Dismissed, Rebuked.

9. Confused Tags 

Hesitant, uncertain dialogue tags:

Stammered, Hesitated, Fumbled, Babbled, Mumbled, Faltered, Stumbled, Wondered, Pondered, Stuttered, Blurted, Doubted, Confessed, Vacillated.

10. Surprise Tags

Shock-inducing dialogue tags:

Gasped, Stunned, Exclaimed, Blurted, Wondered, Staggered, Marvelled, Breathed, Recoiled, Jumped, Yelped, Shrieked, Stammered.

Note: everyone is entitled to their own opinion. No I am NOT telling people to abandon said and use these. Yes I understand that said is often good enough, but sometimes you WANT to draw attention to how the character is speaking. If you think adding an action/movement to your dialogue is 'good enough' hate to break it to you but that ruins immersion much more than a casual 'mumbled'. And for the last time: this is just a resource list, CALM DOWN. Hope that covers all the annoyingly redundant replies :)

Looking For More Writing Tips And Tricks? 

Check out the rest of Quillology with Haya; a blog dedicated to writing and publishing tips for authors!

Gets into: A Fight ⚜ ...Another Fight ⚜ ...Yet Another Fight

Hates Someone ⚜ Kisses Someone ⚜ Falls in Love

Calls Someone they Love ⚜ Dies / Cheats Death ⚜ Drowns

is...

A Ballerina ⚜ A Child ⚜ Interacting with a Child ⚜ A Cheerleader

A Cowboy ⚜ A Genius ⚜ A Lawyer ⚜ A Pirate ⚜ A Spy

A Wheelchair User ⚜ A Zombie ⚜ Beautiful ⚜ Dangerous ⚜ Drunk

Funny ⚜ In a Coma ⚜ In a Secret Society ⚜ Injured ⚜ Shy

needs...

A Magical Item ⚜ An Aphrodisiac ⚜ A Fictional Poison

A Coping Strategy ⚜ A Drink ⚜ A Medicinal Herb ⚜ A Mentor

Money ⚜ A Persuasion Tactic ⚜ A Quirk ⚜ To be Killed Off

To Become Likable ⚜ To Clean a Wound ⚜ To Self-Reflect

To Find the Right Word, but Can't ⚜ To Say No ⚜ To Swear

loves...

Astronomy ⚜ Baking ⚜ Cooking ⚜ Cocktails ⚜ Food ⚜ Oils

Dancing ⚜ Fashion ⚜ Gems ⚜ Herbal Remedies ⚜ Honey

Mushrooms ⚜ Mythology ⚜ Numbers ⚜ Perfumes

Roses ⚜ Sweets ⚜ To Argue ⚜ To Insult ⚜ To Kiss

To Make False Claims ⚜ Wine ⚜ Wine-Tasting ⚜ Yoga

has/experiences...

Allergies ⚜ Amnesia ⚜ Bereavement ⚜ Bites & Stings

Bruises ⚜ Caffeine ⚜ CO Poisoning ⚜ Color Blindness

Facial Hair ⚜ Fainting ⚜ Fevers ⚜ Food Allergies

Food Poisoning ⚜ Fractures ⚜ Frostbite ⚜ Hypothermia

Injuries ⚜ Jet Lag ⚜ Kidnapping ⚜ Manipulation ⚜ Mutism

Pain ⚜ Paranoia ⚜ Poisoning ⚜ More Pain & Violence

Scars ⚜ Trauma ⚜ Viruses ⚜ Wounds

[these are just quick references. more research may be needed to write your story...]

A keeping B from getting out of bed by holding them closer, maybe a few kisses here and there.

A reading a book while B reads along, resting their head on A’s shoulder.

A trying to fall asleep while B begs for more attention.

A kissing B’s shoulder while they spoon.

A helping B fall asleep/wake up by playing with their hair.

A waking up to breakfast in bed made by B.

A and B just admiring the features of the other. No words spoken, just loving looks.

A unwinding by resting their head on B’s chest and just going off about their day. B listens intently while playing with A’s hair.

A waking up because of B getting out of bed to do something. A gets out of bed, finds B, and drags them back to bed.

Talks over others/interrupts

Always has to one-up others

Can’t take criticism

Always plays the victim

Selfish

Pathological liar

Makes everything about them

Bad at sharing

Guilt trips others

Makes special events about themselves

Their way or no way at all

Makes up excuses for everything

Has a reason why nothing is ever their fault

Not a team player

Does jobs halfway

Makes everything a joke

Can’t take a joke

Can’t let others enjoy anything

I get it, when you’re someone who writes a lot and talks a lot, it’s hard to keep things readable, but it’s not as much about cutting out the fat(that can be a problem) so much as a formatting issue. 

You are also actively NERFING yourself by not formatting it correctly, it can make impactful scenes feel so, so much better. Compare this, 

To THIS. 

Easier to read, and hits harder. 

person vs person - between two people - a hero and a villain - the mc's goal is obstructed by another person - Victor Hugo's les misérables

person vs technology - a person faces technology - between a person / group of people and an object of science - technology refers to science over magic - Mary Shelley's frankenstein

person vs nature - a person faces nature - the effects of nature on the human world - the mc's goal (long- or short-term) is obstructed by an element of nature / a natural force - John Green's a fault in our stars

person vs society - a person faces a collective group of people - a smaller group of people vs a large group of people - their goal is obstructed by this group of people - Suzanne Collins' the hunger games

person vs supernatural - a person faces a supernatural subject - this tends towards the magic, although similar to person vs. technology in a sense - fate, magic forces, otherworldly beings, religion, deities - Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson

they try keep it a secret but everyone else knows

it's the rush of a secret that they both cherish

run an anonymous social media account

exchanging knowing looks in public -> words without saying them

sneaking out between breaks to say hello

their friends tried to set them up once before—it went terribly and now they keep up the facade to mess with them

they're shy

they like to mess with people.

a relationship then break-up for convenience reasons, though they fall in love behind the scenes just when one of them is introduced to someone new

friends who are part of opposing friend groups, but they don't want the attention if they're noticed hanging out together

someone in the centre of attention + someone hanging on the sidelines: they're fine as they are

one of them accidentally reaches out and now they're texting all the time

well-known Hollywood stars, who just so happen to be very private people

they unintentionally keep it secret

It's been a long time since my last visit here on Tumblr, right? So, as a comeback and since you loved my masterpost of websites for writers, I am bringing you my favorite Tumblr blogs to follow if you're a writer and are interested in finding lots of inspo on your timeline, as well as prompts, tips, and useful resources. Shall we start?

PROMPTS:

@givethispromptatry

@dailystoryprompts

@here-haveaprompt

@dark-fiction-and-angst

@youneedsomeprompts

@deity-prompts

@whygodohgodwhy

@writinghoursopen

@fluffyomlette

@promptsforthestrugglingauthor

@novelbear

@gfuckign

@ghostly-prompts

WORLD BUILDING INSPO / PROMPTS:

@worldbuildingprompts

@locationbuildingprompts

@wbqotd

@wildworldwritingprompts

@worldbuilding-question

@thealpha-chronicles

@happyheidi

@enchantedengland

@ancientsstudies

@greeksblog

OC PROMPTS:

@yourocdoeswhat

@questionsforyourocs

@oc-question

@oc-dev

@characterization-queries

@oc-factoids

@tag-that-oc

@some-oc-questions

GENERAL WRITING ADVICE:

not all of the following accounts post things but they reblog useful info

@writing-with-olive

@tstrangeauthor

@everythingwritingg

@writerthreads

@heywriters

@thewritersphere

@writelively

anticipation - bouncing legs - darting eyes - breathing deeply - useless / mindless tasks - eyes on the clock - checking and re-checking

frustration - grumbling - heavy footsteps - hot flush - narrowed eyes - pointing fingers - pacing / stomping

sadness - eyes filling up with tears - blinking quickly - hiccuped breaths - face turned away - red / burning cheeks - short sentences with gulps

happiness - smiling / cheeks hurting - animated - chest hurts from laughing - rapid movements - eye contact - quick speaking

boredom - complaining - sighing - grumbling - pacing - leg bouncing - picking at nails

fear - quick heartbeat - shaking / clammy hands - pinching self - tuck away - closing eyes - clenched hands

disappointment - no eye contact - hard swallow - clenched hands - tears, occasionally - mhm-hmm

tiredness - spacing out - eyes closing - nodding head absently - long sighs - no eye contact - grim smile

Hey! It's your girl, @thecomfywriter, back with another post. I'm going to keep the intro short for the sake of convenience, but here's the promised list of writing tropes , organized by genre. Also, don’t forget to check out my socials, and if you like my posts, support me with a coffee! Enjoy! 

༺ ༻ 

Socials: 

Insta: 

Writing: @tovwriter

Art: @gkmarts

Pinterest: @gkm075

Wattpad: @gkm075

Tumblr: @thecomfywriter

BuyMeACoffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/nvna

༺ ༻

Romance: 

Boy/girl next door 

Bad boy x nerd/good girl

"You're just, not like other girls" (*gag* Ә) 

Makeover scene 

*character A takes character B to their secret "special spot"* 

Love triangles 

Enemies to lovers 

Best friends to lovers 

Star-crossed lovers •

Unrequited love (highkey love this one lol) 

Character A is so logical and sciencey that they don't believe in something so  unquantifiable as love until character 

B, the artistic and emotional one, shows them what it's about 

Fake dating 

Forced marriage/alliance 

Opposites attract 

Instant love 

Billionaire fantasy 

Alpha x rebellious defiant ("strong independent woman" vibes) 

Supernatural x human 

Virgin x player 

Reincarnated lovers who must find each other to stop the cycle 

Mystery // Crime: 

Dark past 

Murder for secrets

“It was *insert ordinary unsuspecting random-ass character* all along” (“Scooby-Doo villain phenomenon”)

Note: a lot of crime is committed by random strangers unbeknownst to the victim, and a lot of it is personal crime where the victim was selected for a reason. Whichever one your story falls into, just know the appeal of mystery is the audience’s ability to try and figure it out before the big reveal. If that isn’t possible because they’ve never met the character before… you see how that can be disappointing?

The only witness/protagonist with amnesia 

The hidden staircase/passage/attic 

The important clue in the book 

“Escape Room” Plot (they’re stuck until they solve the mystery) 

Red Herring

The Raged Confession (the killer/culprit exclaims their confession in a fit of anger) 

Good Cop Bad Cop

Eureka!

The genius detective ((they can see clues and the case in a way that no one else can)

Clue hunt 

Planted evidence in the protagonists possession 

The slip up (the cul[rit/suspect reveals information they shouldn't know about the crime, thus incriminating themselves) 

The mystery kingpin 

Fantasy: 

Medieval setting 

The Chosen One 

The Wise Old Woman/Witch

The Rebel 

The Runaway Royal 

The Dark Lord // “Evil Leader”

The Gang (group of friends/fellowship)

The tumultuous journey 

The Mentor 

The Lost Object/Artifact/Weapon (necessary or the key to the adventure) 

Do not make this object a plot device to explain away everything or help your hero in every situation PLEASE. Let them struggle 

The secret/lost heir 

The underdog 

The Prodigy

The Damsel in Distress 

The Badass Heroine 

The (evil) Enchantress 

The animal companion 

The benevolent king 

The ancient wise immortal who rEFUSES to help or get involved 

The prophet / oracle 

The price to pay for key information (the sacrifice) 

The martyr (hero or close to hero that dies for the cause, thus becoming motivation to succeed in their mission)

The gala/ball (bonus points if the enemies/-to-lovers must dance with each other while having an intense, sarcastic and witty conversation)

Time travel // into the past

Action/Adventure Tropes:

The badass 

The sexy female badass (bonus points if she’s not like other girls)

The undercover spy 

The womanizer 

The chase scene 

Butting heads with authorities 

The vigilante 

The villain monologue 

Closely relates to “The Incompetent Villain” who somehow always loses even though they have the clear advantage and might have even cornered the hero

The explosion walk-away

The feisty love interest who hates the protagonists’ guts and won’t be swayed by his charm

The gadgets 

The ticking bomb 

The stalker 

The party / event where the gang must go under disguise 

America, the heroes! (why is everything so america centered lol) 

The snarky dark humour protagonist 

Example of pulling this trope off successfully: deadpool

The tough cookie crumbles (the strongest character begins to lose hope/strength/motivation/feel scared or weakened)

The impossible unexplained escape (hero escapes high security prison/chains off screen, with seemingly no logical explanation)

Thriller/Horror:

Cabin in the woods

Serial killer on the loose

Home invasion 

The masked killer 

The (idiot) group of friends 

“Let’s split up”

Sexy-time couple dies first 

The shadow monster

Paranormal events/activities

Flickering lights 

Sudden loud crash 

Angry spirit

Demonic possession

Revenge killer

Ouji board 

The smart character that dies before revealing the secret of how to stop/survive the supernatural force 

Everything happens in the dark/night

Cryptic messages

Breathing on the phone

Wild animal/dog 

“They're behind you”

Everyone dies in the end 

Glitching technology

Possessed doll 

The hunt and quarry (the characters on the “quarry” for the killer/creature hunting them) 

The creepy synchronized twins 

Creepy children in general

Animals and children can see what others can’t

Dystopian:

Post-apocalyptic

Zombie invasion 

Rampant disease 

Alien invasion

A long war 

Protagonists are the common underdog who became a symbol of rebellion/change 

The competent but unwilling companion who helps the protagonist 

authoritarian/dictator government 

The tyrant leader 

Extreme class divide 

Poverty and slums vs riches and nobility 

The rebellion / uprising 

Journey through the wastelands 

Toxic environment 

The bunker 

A tournament/trials character must compete in 

The utopia that isn’t actually a utopia 

Conformity and cruel law enforcement 

Advanced futuristic technology

Future setting 

Collapsing society

Alright, this is where we’ll end. If you have a genre you want covered or if I notice I’m missing one on the list, I’ll edit and update this post. Hope this helps! 

And its all fun from that point onwards— A and B doing morally questionable things together because they need to or just taking justice in their hands..

Until there's this specific point where B needs to do a gruesome task but A decides to do it instead because they know if B does this, they won't ever be the same. And maybe change is good but A wants to protect B from this one thing, wants B to not get their hands dirty, wants B to not lose that fraction of innocence due to this horrible act.