Enough “Said”

I do not like the word “said” at all.

There, I said it.

To me, it is the go to word utilized in writing when you just can’t find the right descriptive to use. That’s not to say I do not use it. I have and will in the future. It simply lacks any feeling or emotion. All it performs in my mind is to denote that a person spoke some dialog.

What do I mean? Take this example to heart.

“I do not eat broccoli,” Matt said.

All we get from the statement is Matt doesn’t like that particular vegetable. It is straight and to the point. No clue as to the depth of his thoughts about it. It is also boring and lacks any sense of emotive feelings on Matt’s part. A more compelling sentence? Try this.

“I do not eat broccoli,” Matt spat through clenched teeth.

That added descriptive in the sentence tells you the reader that Matt really hates broccoli. You can picture him, the disgust on his face, the potential hate in his voice, by simply being more creative in your word choice.

Interesting writer guy. Please, go on.

The sentence stands alone. In reality, we do not know what else might be painting the picture regarding Matt and his dislike of broccoli. A paragraph might spin the tale and you get to know why. That’s using a lot of words. In the example above you learn right away. As a writer, the story tells all and you as the artist take the color of words and place them on the canvas. While using “said” conveys conversation, it fails to deliver beyond that.

So, what’s an example? Here is a paragraph coupled with dialog.

Emily put the plate on the table, right in front of Matt. He looked at the food spread around it. Shaking his head, he pushed the plate away. “I do not eat broccoli,” Matt said.

Again, the words above convey some meaning, but it also lacks. You have no idea the gravity of how much Matt does not like broccoli. By replacing “said” with more forceful words you get right to the point.

OK. I’m sort of seeing what you mean.

If I left the word in place, I leave a reader guessing as to what Matt really feels deep inside. I could relate it in a paragraph and dive down to show them. However, what does that really do? It adds a bunch more words that could be saved for later if you worry about word count. Why not cut to the chase?

Emily put the plate on the table, right in front of Matt. He looked at the food spread around it. Shaking his head, he pushed the plate away. “I do not eat broccoli,” Matt spat through clenched teeth.

The power of exchanging “said” drives more depth of Matt and you are left with an understanding about his true feelings. I do not have to spend more time trying to convince my readers and can move onto other things. Plus, in my humble opinion, I am directing my readers what to think and feel about Matt in that moment. As the writer, I am not leaving things up to interpretation.

I think I understand.

Without naming books, there are a multitude of classic works where the overabundance use of “said” is found throughout the pages. I am talking some of the greats that we cherish and hold up as holy grails of masterpieces when it comes to literature and novels. I by no means am knocking them for how they were written.

Everything evolves, and so does the art of writing.

I bring the point to the front because of that very issue. Today, authors are plentiful. Anyone can sit and write a book. The quality of it though, is a wide ranging scale. In days past going throughout previous centuries, actually being a writer was fundamentally harder than it is today for a variety of reasons. You didn’t have an editor, most likely no one you knew read any of your drafts, and depending on the subject, you were creating for a cause. The writer circle was small, sometimes clandestine. Feedback was not necessarily part of the process.

With such a small field of players and in many cases books being a novelty because literacy was for the few, the audience simply yearned for stories. No one to a large degree critiqued the writing style. They offered their feedback more to the content. As more books saw the daylight, and people found the ability to read on a wide scale, an evolution materialized.

Now, all of this is simply my interpretation based on my own readings, thoughts, and synthesis. But, it is all grounded in a reality and facts. We can see how writing has changed since people began putting an implement to an object to write.

Don’t get me wrong, writing even today is a hard road to travel. It takes serious focus and dedication to sit and write anything. I give credit to any soul who can sit down and create a book. Even more to someone who gets it published, regardless of how many sales. It is and always will be one of those professions that never gets the credit due.

So, back to what this whole post is about. That single word, said. What purpose does it serve then if it doesn’t convey enough for the story or the reader? Well, here’s my take on it.

Quiet. Listen in.

I have a process. It works for me, so I by no means say it is something anyone should try or use on their own. Before I sit down to write, whether pen to paper or fingers to the keyboard, I have my stories from beginning to end in my head. When I’m ready, I sit down and begin the write. I know from the outset there will be a multitude of drafts so I do not focus on edits. I simply want to get the idea down. The meat will flesh out with details when I get into the editing of the material.

So, what do I do? I use “said” sometimes for my dialog knowing I will be going back to flesh out and refine with more clarity later.

Say what?

Yes, I use “said” and do so as more of a place marker. I want to get the plot and everything on paper or screen so I don’t forget. I know later when I edit I will be changing things up. I might use “said” over 300 times when I get a mind block for my dialog interactions and need to move on. I then will go back and read and tweak the dialog to align with the emotion and feeling of the moment. I will also in some places leave it.

What? Did you just say you use it?

I did. And here’s the reason why.

Sometimes, “said” stands all by itself. It actually is powerful and screams something when you use it. The actual dialog a character speaks is so full of emotion and feeling that you do not need to add anything else to it by not using “said” in your sentence.

Wow.

Here’s an example.

“I hate you John. You are the most despicable human being on the planet. I hope when they catch you they make you suffer. Suffer something worse than death,” Roger said.

That is a pretty powerful sentence of dialog. Just by the words the character speaks you get the sense he really wishes the guy ill will. Maybe even interpret that Roger wants John to be tortured in innumerable ways that will make him scream in pain before he dies. The statement stands on its own. While I could add some descriptive words in place of “said” I really don’t need to at all. The conversation speaks and you get the picture. Words are powerful. What your character actually says can convey everything.

I sense something else going on here. Am I right?

Yes!

Writing is a craft. An artform that has existed for millennia. It has evolved, sprouted wings, and flies to every corner of the planet. To the writers who came before we must acknowledge their journey and the ways they decided to share their thoughts and stories. If you take one thing away from what I have shared, let it be this.

Write powerful words. Use dialog to convey emotion and feeling. Use the word “said” sparingly, if at all. Guide your readers and show them what you want to say, and have them take away, from your book. As the painter of the canvas, your words matter. It is up to you whether you are a realist and color everything so that your reader has little room to interpret what you are writing. Or, are you the impressionist, one who draws lines and shapes, uses a palette and shades of color? The kind of artist who allows for interpretation.

Be the pointillist.

The one who paints a masterpiece that appears up close as one thing, but when you step back, it portrays a whole different picture. If you remember what I said at the start, I do not like the word “said” because in my mind all it does is denote dialog.

I still stand by that statement. If you paid attention, you see that what I also try to point out is to let your writing evolve. Use your words to present the emotions using dialog and descriptive words in place of “said” and only use it in instances where anything more becomes too much.

Sometimes, “said” really says it all.