A young woman's quest to publish her stories of adventure and romance. Always open for asks and reblogs!
68 posts
Storied-shores - Another Day Another Page - Tumblr Blog
The Shred of Dignity
Fallen down the pit of chaos
It leads nowhere but the hope I crave
Spiraling through the years of nothing
Driven to the edge of teeth
They bleed and bark and beg
Rip through the seams of hopeless dreams
Tearing past, tearing up, pushing through
Shapes and sounds of the never was
Screeching past my eardrums
It's gone, it's finally all gone.
Song I listened to while writing:
Now I went from no pens, to two pens and that's what makes life beautiful.
I went from finding both my pens, to me not being able to find any and sometimes, that's just how it is.
“And sometimes I have kept my feelings to myself, because I could find no language to describe them in.” -Jane Austen
Novel Update
Today I wrote 1,463 words! This new arc is definitely going to be three chapters rather than two. I noticed that whatever my word count is in my first draft, it's usually double that after I edit it. I am aiming for around 3,000 or so words per chapter and this one does end on a cliffhanger so it will surely be resolved by chapter 10!
Mood for this chapter:
"You should always make time for books."
―The Library of Lost and Found by Phaedra Patrick
When you finally get to the scene you’ve been waiting to write
Nothing compares to the intimacy you share with the book you read, and that little moment when your soul asks the book "Do you know? Do you understand?" And the book says "I know. I understand. You are not alone." But sometimes it's the book who is trembling and asking "Do you know? Do you understand?" and you whisper back "Yes. I know. I understand. I'm here".
Reading update - Traces of Two Pasts
96/373 pages
Thoughts Below - (no spoilers)
So far, the book is very detailed and feels almost akin to a lore book or... slice of life-ish? I've been enjoying it more now that I realize that because while I knew the book was backstory driven, I'd been anticipating a more traditional story arc.
I tend to enjoy fast paced books, so it's quite different than my usual tastes. I am still looking forward to learning more about the world of Final Fantasy 7 however!
I don't pay attention to the world ending. It has ended for me many times and began again in the morning.
– Nayyirah Waheed
Manga Update - Demon Slayer
It turns out I only needed to read until 128 and I did it just before going to the movie!!
The movie was incredible! The sound effects and visuals were amazing in IMAX!
Manga Update - Demon Slayer:
Chapter 106/137 (Trying to get to 137 before the movie tomorrow, I'm a little behind ^^")
Deep breaths and cat cuddles will get us through the day.
Unlocking the Power of Dialogue Tags in Fictional Writing
In the realm of fictional writing, dialogue is not just about what characters say; it's also about how they say it. This is where dialogue tags come into play. Often overlooked, these small phrases can dramatically transform your storytelling, offering readers insights into your characters' emotions, intentions, and personalities. Let's delve into the art of using dialogue tags effectively in fictional writing.
What are Dialogue Tags?
Dialogue tags are brief phrases that accompany dialogue, identifying the speaker and often describing how something is said. Classic examples include 'said', 'asked', and 'replied'. However, the world of dialogue tags is vast and varied, allowing writers to add depth and color to their conversations.
The Importance of Variety
While 'said' is a workhorse in dialogue tags, being unobtrusive and easily overlooked, overusing it can render your writing monotonous. Introducing variety is key. Consider using tags like 'whispered', 'shouted', 'murmured', or 'exclaimed' to convey emotions and volume. But beware, overuse of overly descriptive tags can distract the reader. The trick is to strike a balance.
Conveying Action and Emotion
Dialogue tags can do much more than identify who is speaking. They can also convey action and emotion. For instance, 'she said, slamming the door' instantly tells the reader about the character's emotional state. Using action-oriented dialogue tags can also help in reducing the adverb usage, which often clutters writing.
The Subtlety of Beats
Sometimes, it's effective to replace dialogue tags with action beats. Action beats are small actions or descriptions that interrupt dialogue. For example:
"Are you okay?" John leaned forward, concern etching his face.
Here, 'John leaned forward' acts as a beat, breaking up the dialogue and adding a layer of description.
Avoiding Common Pitfalls
One common pitfall in using dialogue tags is redundancy. Saying 'she yelled loudly' can be tautological since yelling is inherently loud. Additionally, avoid overly creative dialogue tags that can confuse the reader. Stick to simplicity where it adds value.
Using Dialogue Tags for Pacing
Dialogue tags can also control the pacing of your narrative. A quick back-and-forth conversation with minimal tags can speed up the pace, making the scene feel urgent or intense. Conversely, adding descriptive tags and beats can slow down the dialogue, allowing for deeper emotional impact.
Conclusion
In conclusion, dialogue tags are a powerful tool in a writer's arsenal. They provide clarity, convey emotions, and enhance the rhythm of your narrative. By mastering their use, you can elevate your fictional writing, creating stories that resonate deeply with your readers. Remember, in the dance of dialogue, tags are your rhythm - use them to make your story sing.
Don’t forget our Grand Opening Giveaway starts February 1st/24 on Tumblr, Instagram and slayingfiction.com! You don’t want to miss it!
Happy Writing!
No stronger urge to write than when you have to do other stuff like work
My Writing Process for Chapter 8:
I had so many ideas for my 8th chapter that it overwhelmed me. So I went back into my notebook and fleshed out the ideas. Great! Then I went back to writing.
Then I realized:
Oh shoot. These ideas overwhelm the main plot.
Simplify!
So I did, and began rewriting.
As I did so, I realized that in order for the end of the chapter to make sense, I would need a section before the main idea in order to sprinkle in some exposition for this arc while it still being interesting because I don't want to info dump.
And I found myself to be much much happier with the result!
I think this next arc will likely be two or three chapters long. I'm much more hopeful with how it is turning out though.
Mood for the Chapter:
Manga Update: I made it to chapter 86 of Demon Slayer. Only 51 to go before the movie this Friday!
Current Read 2: Traces of Two Pasts
This is a book that takes place between Final Fantasy 7 remake to the new game focusing on the backstories of Aerith and Tifa.
I have been trying to read one book at a time but I didn't realize this book existed so now I'm trying to finish reading it before the new game comes out!!
On page 46/373
(Thoughts on story below, no spoilers, but don't click if you'd rather not know anything at all. ^^)
So far I've been reading about Tifa's backstory. It's a bit slow for my taste (that doesn't mean it's bad though) but still interesting to read about what she got up to and how she started training.
