Writing Discussion 2

[kriadydragon]

Including descriptions of characters' actions in dialogue scenes - how much is too much, and how much is not enough? You don't want it to just be a long string of "he said/she said", but you don't want to describe every eyebrow twitch, either ...

Comments

[black-raven135.livejournal.com]

"....you should always use he/she said and nothing else. No "He said, raising an eyebrow."

Really? Well, I guess my latest ficlet at SGA_Saturday would be unacceptable then.......
Finally, I find prescriptions e.g. 'should' and others like it, to be often annoying.

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

I'm wondering if it may have been a matter of personal taste for that person and not a rule of thumb. Because, really, I can't see how you can not have something to interrupt the monotony of he said/she said.

[swanpride.livejournal.com]

I agree with you...the "he said" is not needed in this case, because clarifying who raises the eyebrow (or doing whatever) already established who is the one talking.