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[prajna_khanna]

can you write a conversation in a novel without using said word again and again?

[Zacs-Master]

Which word?

[Mamyalynne]

If the character in your novel having the conversation is prone to repartition then you'd use that , but consciously trying to avoid a repeat can make a conversation both sound and read stilted.

[prajna_khanna]

@mamyalynne thank you can i ask a few questions about your answer?

[Mamyalynne]

You can - I am in no way expert however.

[Mamyalynne]

Correction to my answer - Repetition was the word I meant, sorry.

[prajna_khanna]

i have two characters who are having conversation. there i sno interruption and they are arguing in order like first jen then meg next jen and so on. so in such types of conversations can we avoid use of said till the end of conversation?

[elliemay1]

Take a new line for each person

[Mamyalynne]

I agree with Ellie, no real need for the use of 'Jen said' then 'Meg said'.

It will become clear as the conversation flows who is speaking - an occasional 'Meg replied with an angry tone' or 'Jen frowned as she considered Meg's reply' could work however.

[prajna_khanna]

@elliemay1 in such case, like i told can we not use said if we take a new line for each characters dialougue?

[Mamyalynne]

^ Those are purely examples of course, depends on the characters.

[prajna_khanna]

thank ellie and mamyalynne for your replies and help. i can work on my novel now. is their anyway i can get into touch with you other then questions?

[Mamyalynne]

I have seen (M) * insert dialogue* used , but it can end up looking like a transcript rather than a novel.

[Mamyalynne]

Just add to this question or elsewhere in this topic , there are always some very helpful people about to help.

Most of all, good luck with your writing.

[elliemay1]

Why don't you scan through a few novels and you will see examples of how it is done.

[Mamyalynne]

On second thoughts, if it's longer than a month start a new question as this won't show in latest posts after that time.x

[kernowgirl99]

Using "said" some of the time is fine (imho) but you can add to the mix some alternative expressions. For example, "... Meg asserted", "... Jen maintained", "...Meg insisted", "... Jen shouted" and so on and so on. However, I wouldn't get hung up on finding too many alternatives lest your prose become a bit clumsy and self-conscious! A bit of mixing and matching is needed perhaps?

[prajna_khanna]

i actually want to remain in touch with you other than this site. if you know how can i do so, help.

[Mamyalynne]

Speaking personally and not intending to be impolite, I'd rather not share more details Prajna.

[prajna_khanna]

is there any personal chat on this site? i totally understand you.

[Mamyalynne]

No private messaging here, sorry.