By Andrea Merrell
Dialogue can make or break a story—too much, too little, too stilted, or too corny.
When we read, we want to see the characters interacting with each other. We want to know what’s going on in the scene and/or what the POV character is thinking or feeling. The communication should be real and flow in such a way that we get pulled into the story.
The role of speaker tags and beats is to enhance your dialogue. Let’s look at the difference.
Speaker Tags
A speaker tag shows the speaker’s name and a speech-related verb (said, asked, shouted). This is generally the best way to show which of your characters is speaking, but sometimes we tend to overuse tags. They’re not necessary each time someone speaks, especially in a long section of dialogue.
EXAMPLE:
“That’s a lovely dress you’re wearing,” Wendy said.
“Thank you so much,” Beverly replied.
“Where did you get it?” Wendy asked.
“It came from Dillard’s,” Beverly answered.
“Oh, that’s my favorite department store,” Wendy said.
Do you see how annoying—and boring—that is? Let’s try it again adding beats.
Speaker Beats
A speaker beat is the action that accompanies what the speaker is saying. It also indicates to the reader who is doing the speaking.
EXAMPLE:
“That’s a lovely dress you’re wearing,” Wendy said, wishing she had worn something besides jeans to the party.
Beverly’s face lit up. “Thank you so much.”
“Where did you get it?” Wendy hoped she wasn’t being too forward.
“It came from Dillard’s.”
“Oh, that’s my favorite department store.”
“Mine too.” Beverly lowered her voice to a whisper. “Especially when they’re having a big sale. I got this for only twenty dollars.
Just like speaker tags, don’t overuse beats. Too many will interrupt the flow of dialogue. They’re not necessary every time, but they work well to help set the scene when used correctly. You can use them at the beginning or end of the dialogue. You can also break up the dialogue by inserting a beat in the middle. Mix it up.
Side Note: This is a common error when using speaker tags: “That’s a pretty scrawny dog,” Jim laughed. Since Jim can’t laugh at that comment, the proper way would be: “That’s a pretty scrawny dog.” Jim laughed. This now becomes a speaker beat instead of a tag.
_______________
ASSIGNMENT:
Create a small section of dialogue and play around with tags and beats.
Photo 1: Image courtesy of Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
Photo 2: Image courtesy of BRRT from Pixabay
Assignment 6 - Creative Non-Fiction
Cindy Sproles
2/15/2021
Assignment 5 - Don't Waste Your Conference Experience
Cindy Sproles
2/6/2021
January 31, Assignment 4 - Bring Your Characters to Life
Cindy Sproles
1/31/2021
January 24, Assignment Four - Time to Shoot the Weasel Words
Cindy Sproles
1/24/2021
Assignment 3 - The Role of Speaker Tags and Beats
Cindy Sproles
1/21/2021
Assignment 2 (2 of 2) Week of January 10
Andrea Merrell
1/13/2021
January 10, Assignment 2 (1 of 2 assignments)
Cindy Sproles
1/10/2021
Assignment 1 - ACWC January 5 - Let's Start with a Bio
Cindy Sproles
1/5/2021
Assignment 8 & 9 - Titles & Sentences - Nancy Lohr
Cindy Sproles
2/13/2020
Assignment 7 - What in the World is a One Sheet - Andrea Merrell
Cindy Sproles
2/7/2020
February 1 - Assignments 5 & 6 - Linda Glaz
Cindy Sproles
2/1/2020
Sensory Perception Enhances Your Writing - Assignment 4
Cindy Sproles
1/26/2020
Don't Write Your Bio - Write WHY ME? - Assignment 3
Bob Hostetler
1/18/2020
How to Make the Most of Your Conference Experience - Assignment 2
Cindy Sproles
1/18/2020
Appropriate Emails - [email protected] - Assignment 1
Cindy Sproles
1/11/2020
How Not to Get an Agent - Assignment 7
Bob Hostetler
2/10/2019
January 27 Assignment 5 -Storytelling Your Life Lessons
Lucinda Secrest McDowell
1/27/2019
It's Not What You Know; It's Who You Know - Assignment 4
Bob Hostetler
1/20/2019
Stay on Track with a Writing Schedule - Assignment 3
Larry Leech
1/13/2019
Assignment 2 - Finding Speaker Topics
Beth Fortune
1/5/2019
IMAGERY–WHEN THIS IS LIKE THAT
By Ann Tatlock
12/30/2018
Asheville Christian Writers Conference Privacy Policy
Cindy Sproles
6/4/2018
2018 Writers Charge
Cindy
2/18/2018
Last Chance - Assignment 7
Cindy Sproles
2/11/2018
An Adjective Safari - Assignment 6
Denise Loock
2/4/2018
Get in the Mood to Write - Assignment 5
Larry J. Leech II
1/28/2018
Getting Rid of “I” Disease - Assignment 3
Andrea Merrell
1/14/2018
Curb Your Adverb Addiction - Assignment 2
Denise Loock
1/7/2018
WHO ARE YOU? - Writing Your Bio
Cindy Sproles
11/17/2017
WRITING IN A PICKLE
Cindy Sproles
11/13/2017
THE NaNoWriMo CHALLENGE
Cindy Sproles
11/10/2017
BRINGING YOUR CHARACTERS TO LIFE
By Andrea Merrell
2/12/2017
DON’T LET SPEAKER BEATS RUIN YOUR MANUSCRIPT
By Andrea Merrell
2/5/2017
HOW TO CRAFT GREAT DIALOGUE
By Andrea Merrell
1/30/2017
AVOID REPETITION AND WRITE TIGHT
By Andrea Merrell
1/20/2017
THE QUOTATION QUOTA – ASSIGNMENT 2
By Andrea Merrell
1/13/2017
ELIMINATE THE EXCLAMATION POINTS – ASSIGNMENT 1
By Andrea Merrell
1/7/2017
WRITING ADVICE FROM MARK TWAIN: WRITE WITHOUT PAY UNTIL SOMEBODY OFFERS TO PAY
By Sandra Merville Hart
12/22/2016
WHEN THE STORY STALLS IN THE MIDDLE
by Sandra Merville Hart
12/20/2016
WHO REALLY SELLS YOUR BOOKS ?
by Cindy Sproles @CindyDevoted
9/20/2016
MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR 15-MINUTE APPOINTMENTS
by Cindy Sproles
9/16/2016
ARRRGH! ANOTHER REJECTION – CINDY SPROLES
by Cindy Sproles
9/12/2016
FROZEN IN PLACE – ICEY SELF-TALK TO FREEZE YOUR WRITING
By Cindy Sproles
9/8/2016
THE BIO – THE FRAGRANCE OF WHO YOU ARE
by Cindy Sproles
9/3/2016
THE PAIN OF UNSOLICITED
by Cindy Sproles
8/29/2016
REDUNDANCY: AN EXCESSIVE, OPPRESSIVE, PERVASIVE DISEASE
By Denise Loock
8/26/2016
7 THINGS TO DO NOW TO BE READY WHEN WRITING INSPIRATION STRIKES – EDIE MELSON
by Edie Melson
8/23/2016
MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR 15-MINUTE CONFERENCE APPOINTMENTS
by Cindy Sproles
8/20/2016
WHY SHOULD I ATTEND THE ASHEVILLE CHRISTIAN WRITERS’ CONFERENCE?
by Cindy Sproles
8/17/2016
YOU NEED A PLATFORM – LIVING A STORY- ASSIGNMENT 3
By La-tan Murphy
1/20/2016
THE ONE SHEET
by Cindy Sproles
1/8/2016
OVER-EDIT?
By Steven James
11/4/2015
