Neil Gaiman

love-me-a-good-prompt:

Do you ever find yourself over-using the word “said” in your writing? Try using these words/phrases instead:

• stated
• commented
• declared
• spoke
• responded
• voiced
• noted
• uttered
• iterated
• explained
• remarked
• acknowledged
• mentioned
• announced
• shouted
• expressed
• articulated
• exclaimed
• proclaimed
• whispered
• babbled
• observed
• deadpanned
• joked
• hinted
• informed
• coaxed
• offered
• cried
• affirmed
• vocalized
• laughed
• ordered
• suggested
• admitted
• verbalized
• indicated
• confirmed
• apologized
• muttered
• proposed
• chatted
• lied
• rambled
• talked
• pointed out
• blurted out
• chimed in
• brought up
• wondered aloud

(NOTE: Keep in mind that all of these words have slightly different meanings and are associated with different emotions/scenarios.)

Also remember that “said” is invisible on the page, and that you aren’t ever overusing “said”, even if you’re scared you are.

You could write a novel using nothing but “said” to indicate that people are speaking and nobody will ever notice, complain, or think you’re a lazy writer.