Do You Over-use Dialogue Tags aka Bookisms?

Dialogue is a favourite aspect of writing for me, because I get to play with my characters to find out what form of speech pattern suit their persona. The purpose of dialogue is used for several reasons, some being to introduce a character or characters; advance the story and make the characters believable. Dialogue, further, creates mood, reveal motives and lightens exposition. I actually interview my characters. It’s a powerful way that serves to reveal qualities that I probably would not think about while creating their profile.

Dialogue tags on the other hand could be problematic and ruin the flow of interchange if it is over-used, or over-the-top, and this is referred to as bookisms. Here’s an article that illustrates the dangers of the over-use of bookisms.

Bookisms, or said-bookisms, are commonly defined as overly elaborate dialogue tags used in prose. While the occasional use of a logical bookism is acceptable, filling a book with bookisms can distract a reader and ultimately turn them away from the rest of the work.

In general, authors are encouraged to keep their dialogue tags simple. “Said” works the best as it simply fades into the background for the reader, and while “asked” is implied with the use of a question mark, it still works. Even tags like “whispered” or “muttered” may be used sparingly without throwing the reader off. In reality, however, it’s difficult to actually “hiss” a phrase, especially if it’s lacking sibilance (“Hide” she hissed.), or growl a line (“Get out of my garden,” the old man growled.). If you’re questioning whether or not a certain tag works in dialogue, try it yourself. Can you actually laugh at the same time you say, “Of course you will!” or gargle while saying, “Help, I’m drowning!”?

A good rule of thumb while writing dialogue is to stick with simplicity. You don’t want your reader pausing and wondering how a person grimaces a greeting or worries a question. But there is always an exception to the rule.

In 1910, the very first Tom Swift book hit the market to wide acclaim. Featuring a young teenage inventor, the Tom Swift series is credited as the idea source for many modern inventions, including the mobile home, the “photo telephone,” and the Taser, which was actually named for Tom Swift by its inventor (Tom A. Swift’s Electric Rifle). But it wasn’t just this young inventor’s creations that grabbed the attention of readers; it was also the authors’ unique use of bookisms:

“This game is foul,” Tom groused.

“I teach at a university,” Tom professed.

“Superglue!” Tom rejoined.

This unique use of dialogue tags as a form of pun quickly caught on in the literary world and became appropriately known as “Tom Swifties.” And Tom swiftly leads us to this week’s exercise:

Exercise: I could write a bookism

While bookisms may be something to avoid in general writing, no one can blame you for enjoying a good pun or two. Try your hand at writing a few “Tom Swifties” such as the ones shown above to get your creative juices pumping. “You could even write four or five!” the writer enumerated.

Posted by Kristin, content media coordinator with CreateSpace.

Write It, Work It, Publish it!

© 2012 Cherry-Ann Carew

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Cherry-Ann Carew, aka The Power Writing Coach, Editor, Best-selling author and Founder of Writetastic Solutions is passionate about helping aspiring fiction and non-fiction writers bring out their creative expression to write their books. Learn how her coaching and editing services can help you at www.writetasticsolutions.com.

Tout Your Horn or Vuvuzelas to Market Your Book

Tout Your Horn or Vuvuzelas to Market Your Book

Many writers make the mistake of thinking that once their book is published it will sell itself. Nothing is further from the truth. Distribution and marketing is of the utmost importance in order for your book to be a success. It’s part of the deal of being a successful author.

So what steps do you need to take to market your book? The first thing to realize is that there are people and tools to help in your marketing efforts. You don’t need to do it alone. The sooner you implement a marketing structure, the easier it will be when your book hit bookstore shelves. Even if your book is already published, you can still put these steps in place.

Connect With People

Connect with people to help you spread the word about your book. It could be immediate members of your family or extended family. My daughter, for instance, sent an email out to her connections when my book was released. Does that mean that her connections will buy my book? Perhaps; irrespective of whether they do, or do not, that email could go viral as those connections could pass the email along to others.

What about groups that you are affiliated with? Commence a dialogue with them and ask for their support. Start participating in on-line forums on your book topic.  Word to the wise, don’t try selling your book, instead, start building relationships by making comments. Before you know it, you will position yourself as an expert and people will look forward to reading your book(s).

Many organizations are open to promoting works that are in line with their cause, as such, research sponsors who share the same message or theme in your book. Then there are your school’s alumni. They are always looking to promote former students in their magazines who have gone on to achieve. Don’t forget your local Chamber of Commerce and Library.

Social Mediums are Free Tools – Take Advantage of Them

There are hundreds of social mediums that you can use to showcase your work to gain massive visibility.

If you don’t have a blog, create one now whether you’ve started writing or are already published. Talk about your book and invite people to comment to build interaction. Another simple way to gain visibility is to be a guest blogger. Identify some popular blogs with shared interest that have an audience suitable to your book and offer to guest blog on their blogs.

Get set up and active on Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin if you haven’t already. As mentioned, they are hundreds, maybe even thousands of social mediums. I advise you select 3 to 5 and work them. These social outlets have millions of people with shared interests and you can create your own group(s). Social mediums are free and not as time consuming as you may think once you get the hang of it. Start using social media now to market your book.

Article writing is another great way to gain visibility. Simply write a 250 to 350 word article on the topic of your book and submit them to article marketing sites such as: http://articlesfactory.com and http://ezinearticles.com/.

When it’s time for your book launch, create a media release and blast it to press release directories such as: http://www.24-7pressrelease.com/and http://www.marketwire.com. This is a great way to get into print publications, booked on TV and radio. You can also create your own Internet radio show.

Create a valuable opt-in offer in line with the message of your book on your website, or blog so that when people go to your site, you capture their name and email. This allows you to build a relationship with your subscribers. You will need an auto responder for this, you can start with www.aweber.com.

Consider a virtual book tour when your book launches, they’re extremely useful in our digital age. Of course, there’s good old-fashion in store book signings that you shouldn’t rule out.

Another avenue to market your book is to teach classes, workshops, or do free teleseminars and create an email signature and add your blog and website URL.

Too Busy to Market Your Book, Can’t Because of Other Commitments, Don’t Want to…

If you fall into the above category, hire a marketer. This will cost you, but it will be worth your while. Ensure that you check out the marketer’s credentials before you commit and pay up. For instance, have any of the books they promoted won awards, or became bestsellers?

Follow these simple guidelines to tell the world about you and your book. As noted above, you can’t do it alone and you don’t have to.

© 2010 Cherry-Ann Carew

WOULD YOU LIKE TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE, NEWSLETTER, MAGAZINE, BLOG OR WEBSITE? Please do, but ensure you include this complete resource box:

Cherry-Ann Carew, The Power Writing Coach, Editor, and Founder of Writetastic Solutions, is a contributing author to How the Fierce Handle Fear – ‘Secrets to Succeeding in Challenging Times.’  Cherry-Ann helps writers with their creative expression to add value to their books. Learn how her coaching and editing services can help you with your book. Subscribe for your FREE SPECIAL REPORT: Discover The 3 Simple Steps That Will Help You Start And Finish Your Book. Yes, you can have a finished draft in no time!