Alternate Words for Said

Often times, when we write, we tend to overuse the word 'said.' However, I feel that writers who use other words tend to prove their inexperience. So, be careful.  Don't tell, but show! 

But if you need another word for 'said' here's what I found.

A list of alternate words for SAID in alphabetical order:

• Accepted, Acknowledged, Admitted, Agonized, Agreed, Announced, Answered, Appealed, Articulated, Asked

• Barked, Bawled, Beamed, Begged, Beckoned, Bellowed, Beseeched Blubbered, Blurted, Bossed, Breathed

• Called, Cautioned, Chimed in, Chortled, Chuckled, Comforted, Concurred, Confessed, Confided, Consoled, Continued, Countered, Cried, Cried out, Crooned, Crowed

• Declared, Demanded, Dictated, Drawled

• Emitted, Empathized, Encouraged, Entreated, Exclaimed, Explained

• Faltered, Finished, Fumed

• Gawped, Giggled, Glowered, Grieved, Grinned, Groaned, Growled, Grumbled

• Hesitated, Hollered, Howled Implored, Informed, Inquired, Insisted, Interjected, Invited, Implied

• Jabbered, Joked

• Lamented, Laughed, Lilted, Leered Mimicked, Mocked, Mourned, Murmured

• Observed, Offered, Ordered

• Pleaded, Preached, Prodded, Professed, Proposed, Protested

• Quaked, Queried, Quipped, Quivered, Quizzed

• Raged, Ranted, Rejoiced, Rejoined, Remarked, Remonstrated, Repeated, Replied, Requested, Responded, Retorted, Roared Sang out, Scoffed, Screamed, Seethed, Shrieked, Shrugged Shuddered, Sighed, Smiled, Smirked, Snapped, Sneered, Snivelled, Sobbed, Speculated, Spoke lightly, Spoke tightly, Stammered, Struggled, Suggested, Swore, Swooned, Sympathized

• Taunted, Teased, Thundered, Touted, Trembled

• Uttered

• Voiced,

• Wailed, Wept, Whispered

• Yawped, Yelled, Yelped

What a Weekend!

I've had a busy weekend--between running for ball games and camps, I can't remember what the term TGIF means! I don't know about you, but my days seem to all run together. Half the time, I don't even know what day it is! LOL!

So, where am I finding time to write? Who knows. Only the Good Lord knows. But sometimes I get a moment, it's very rare, especially during summer break, but I do get a moment to write. If I didn't write, I'd probably go insane. If I'm not already!! Ha!

I only write when my kids are doing something productive (or napping). It's hard when I get in the middle of a scene, and my character(s) just won't let me stop writing, but someone needs me--from breaking up an argument to combing hair--but I stop. I love being a mom first. That's definitely what defines me. Not my writing.

Tell me your story. When did you start writing? Why? How do you find time to juggle life and write?

Ten Things You Should Know About Writers

1. We aren't eavesdropping. Linguistic training is a part of our job. We listen to speech patterns so we can effectively write dialogue beats.

2. Yes. We do have to check Twitter, Facebook and Seekerville hourly. It is essential to stay up to date on the ever changing publishing world.

3. It is normal for writers to speak in the third person present tense. Deal with it.

4. Don't ask if we're published yet. Or if we've published anything you might have read. Trust me, it only makes us cranky.

5. As a general rule, writers are not interested in your brilliant idea for a best-seller that we can write for you and then split the profits.

6. We believe there are dumb questions. Where do you get your ideas is right up there at the top.

7. Our favorite words are not The End, they are, I want to buy your book.

8. For every ten words we write we delete six. We get goosebumps when we write the perfect sentence.

9. We are unable to watch a film with out analyzing the plot elements per the Heroes Journey. (Ordinary World, Call to Adventure, Refusal of the Call...)

10. If you see us sitting in front of the computer/laptop staring at a blank screen for long periods of time without moving, we are still writing. Do not interrupt.

Resource:

http://seekerville.blogspot.com/

The Seekers

I just found a blog through my Midwest ACFW group called The Seekers. With contests, publication, writing and apparently everything in between--it's a great place to converse with other writers and possibly get published.

Let me know what you think.

ACFW

I just became a member of the ACFW, American Christian Fiction Writers, and I am so glad I did. I am hoping to join the ACFW Midwest Chapter. Looking forward to hopefully attending the ACFW conference.

Good Guy Series

It's hard being a kids, as you can see. I'm misunderstood, have been since I was three!



I am currently looking for an agent/publisher for my inspirational children's book series, Good Guy. So many children's books portray only "good" characters. Meet Good Guy...He just can't seem to behave himself, no matter how hard he tries. Through this comical, inspirational, rhyming children's series, you'll find Guy running from his mommy in stores, learning sisters don't fly, trying to free animals at the zoo, and misbehaving at preschool. At the end of every book, Guy is punished by timeout. While sitting, he learns valuable lessons on his own, such as the Golden Rule, Love your Neighbor (including your sister and teacher,) and Love the Lord with all your heart, among other heart-felt important messages for preschool-age children.