Dialogue Tags for your story characters

A writing teacher recently sent me an e-mail asking if I could help her students by providing a list of alternative dialogue tags that they could use when writing fiction.

I was a little reluctant, at first. I pondered the idea of sharing my private dialogue tag list with her—or anyone, for that matter. Although I knew in my heart that beginning authors usually make the mistake of ending dialogue with, "he said," or "she said."

For years I've known that adding descriptive dialogue tags to a character's speech adds excitement, spice, and a sense of how that character is defined.

Without revealing too much more, if you'd like a copy of my secret and private dialogue tag list, you can download it here: Dialogue Tags

Please leave a comment about my "private dialogue tag" list.

Thanks, and all my best.
~Candace Sinclair
The Writer's Mentor

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How to find time to write when you're burned out at the end of the day

I received the following question from "Frustrated in Frankfurt"...

"I have lengthy notes for a book, but I work full time and then some. I'm pretty burned out by the end of the day. How do I get started actually writing?"

Dear Frustrated in Frankfurt,

Great question! Finding time to write when you work at a demanding job can seem overwhelming. The secret is to create a simple blueprint that you can fill in whenever you have 20 minutes of free time. For example, you might want to get up 20 minutes earlier in the morning; or take 20 minutes during your lunch break to get something on paper.

Here's an easy three-step process to follow.

1. Create a page that says, "Chapter 1" and in one sentence describe the event that you want to talk about.

2. Down the left side of the page, place numbers from 1 to 15.

3. Next to each number, brainstorm a short sentence or phrase that you will write about that points back to the chapter's topic.

If you've already created notes for your book, then review them before you go to bed at night. Then in the morning, you can start with the blueprint parameters I've described above.

NOTE: The secret is to brainstorm and write for 20 minutes. That's it. When 20 minutes is up, save your file. Then the next morning, continue where you left off.

Here's a quick example of creating a blueprint. Let's say you want to write a book that's titled: Lake Fishing Tips for a Great Outdoor Experience

Chapter 1: What You Need to Know to Get Started with Lake Fishing

1. Discuss the three types of fish: game fish, food fish, and forage or bait fish.

2. List the types of fish associated with game fish - bass, trout, pike, pickerel, muskellunge, pike perch, etc.

3. List the types of fish associated with food fish - carp, suckers, some catfish, yellow perch, etc., and then list the bait fish.

4. Types of rods to consider buying and why

5. Types of line that will benefit lake fishing

6. Types of fishing lures that work best

7. List the items to have in your tackle box

8. Talk about Fishing licenses

9. List the type of fishing gear an angler might want to buy

10. Choosing a location - by state or local area

11. Selecting a fishing guide

12. Weather forecasts - what to know in advance

13. Packing for your trip

14. Storing your rods

15. Summary

So, there you have it. This mini-blueprint took me only 15 minutes to create.

Candace Sinclair
The Writer's Mentor

Questions? Thoughts? Leave a comment.

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