Did you know that one of the most heated debates in writing circles isn’t about plagiarism, writer’s block, or the Oxford comma, but about the humble dialogue tag? It’s a tool as old as literature itself, yet it stirs passions like few other elements of writing craft. Our take at Dreamers? Less is more, and simplicity often trumps complexity. And it turns out, we’re in good company with none other than Stephen King.
Stephen King and the Case for ‘Said’: Dialogue Tags Under the Microscope
King, in his memoir and writing guide, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft, makes a compelling case for sticking to the plain and powerful “said” for dialogue attribution. He asserts that fancier tags (“exclaimed,” “retorted,” “queried”) can distract from the story’s heart—its characters and their conversations. When King says, “The best form of dialogue attribution is said,” he’s not just offering a writing tip; he’s advocating for a philosophy of transparency in storytelling where words serve the story, not the writer’s ego.
“The best form of dialogue attribution is ‘said,’ as in he said, she said, Bill said, Monica said.” Stephen King, On Writing
Stephen King’s advice from On Writing revolves around the idea of simplicity and clarity in writing. When he suggests using “said” as the preferred dialogue tag, he’s advocating for a less-is-more approach. “Said” is unobtrusive and doesn’t detract from the dialogue itself. By recommending against the overuse of dialogue tags, King is emphasizing that the dialogue should stand on its own, conveying the necessary emotion and information without needing elaborate tags to guide the reader.
Stephen King’s Adverb Advice: Less is More
Moreover, King’s tirade against adverbs is legendary. He believes that “the road to hell is paved with adverbs,” warning writers that these descriptive words often dilute rather than enhance meaning. Adverbs (words typically ending in “-ly” that modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs) can be seen as crutches that writers use to avoid finding more precise, stronger ways to express action or emotion.
“I believe the road to hell is paved with adverbs, and I will shout it from the rooftops.” Stephen King, On Writing
King’s statement about the “road to hell” is a colourful way of expressing his belief that adverbs often weaken writing rather than strengthen writing. People often use adverbs in dialogue tags to modify how something is said, such as “he said angrily” or “she whispered softly.” For King, strong writing comes from the use of specific, vivid verbs and nouns, and the reliance on adverbs can make prose feel lazy or overdone. At Dreamers, we find this perspective refreshing in its boldness, challenging writers to find the exact noun or verb that conveys their message, rather than leaning on the crutch of adverbs.
Stephen King’s Legacy of Brevity
Why does this resonate? Because writing, at its core, is about communication. When we clutter our sentences with unnecessary tags and adverbs, we risk obscuring the message and disconnecting from our readers. King’s advice strips writing down to its essence, urging us to convey emotion and action through dialogue and narrative, not through ornamentation.
Yet, this isn’t about dogma. Writing isn’t math; it’s an art. Rules, even King’s, are not laws but tools. They serve the story, and when breaking them serves the story better, then that’s the path to follow. King himself isn’t averse to the occasional well-placed adverb or expressive dialogue tag when they fit the moment.
Embracing King’s guidance doesn’t mean eliminating every adverb or shunning descriptive dialogue tags entirely. It means being mindful of our choices, ensuring each word earns its place on the page. This philosophy can transform writing, making it leaner, stronger, and more impactful.
In embracing King’s principles, we’re not dismissing the value of diverse writing styles but rather emphasizing the power of restraint and purpose in storytelling. Stephen King’s views on dialogue tags and adverbs aren’t just stylistic preferences. They’re a call to writers to scrutinize their work, to favour clarity and impact over embellishment. Stephen King’s advice on dialogue tags and adverbs serves as a powerful reminder to keep our writing grounded in the truth of the narrative, where every word, indeed, matters.
Meanwhile, at Dreamers…
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