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[Bombadil]

Gaf, for a couple of years I've been compiling words from books so I can expand my vocabulary in my attempt to be a good writer. Despite our rocky relationship, I am pleased to share my collection with you. This thread is all about ways of saying things. It's not a perfect list, and perhaps not fully complete. But it's a start. I've divided the list into adverbs and verbs. The first few things in the list didn't fall perfectly into either category so they're at the top. You'll notice I drew a lot from Harry Potter. I also drew from Dune and LOTR and some Philip K. Dick novels.

Enjoy. Feel free to provide feedback.

- aggravated tone
- anguished voice
- asked
- chorus of laughter
- comments punctuated by
- drew a deep breath
- dropped their voices
- fierce voice
- flat, expressionless
- growing fainter
- in disgust
- jaunty voice
- jeering voice
- jowls aquiver
- let out a wail of despair
- loud and scathing voice
- low, despairing groan
- made an indistinct noise in his throat
- mouth fell open
- murmur of assent
- murmur of interest
- murmur of voices
- patronizing tone
- piping voice
- put on a (certain type of voice)
- quiver in voice
- racking sobs
- reedy voice
- roar of sound filled the hall
- rude remarks
- said
- shaky voice
- sharp intake of breath
- shrill voice
- winning voice
- a quick word
- abashedly
- abruptly
- absently
- absent-mindedly
- acidly
- admonishingly
- adoringly
- affronted tones
- aggressively
- agitated voice
- agitatedly
- airily
- aloud
- amicably
- angrily
- anguished voice
- animatedly
- anxiously
- apologetically
- appreciatively
- apprehensively
- approvingly
- approvingly
- as an afterthought
- as an aside
- ashamedly
- astutely
- at a loss for words
- at once
- audible gasp
- audibly
- automatically
- awkwardly
- baldly
- beseechingly
- bitterly
- bizarrely
- blandly
- blankly
- bleakly
- blearily
- blithely
- bluntly
- boastfully
- booming voice
- bracingly
- bravely
- breathlessly
- breezily
- briefly
- brightly
- briskly
- brusquely
- bursting to say
- businesslike voice
- cajolingly
- calmly
- capriciously
- carefully
- carelessly
- casually
- caustically
- cautiously
- changed tack at top speed
- characteristically
- cheerfully
- cheerily
- clearly
- coldly
- comfortably
- confidently
- consolingly
- contemptuously
- conversationally
- coolly
- cordially
- courteously
- cozily
- cracked voice
- crankily
- crazily
- crisply
- crossly
- cruelly
- curiously
- curtly
- cuttingly
- darkly
- deadly voice
- deafeningly
- decisively
- declaratively
- defeated voice
- defensively
- defiantly
- dejected voice
- dejectedly
- deliberately
- delicately
- delicately inflected
- deploringly
- derisively
- despairingly
- desperately
- desperately
- determinedly
- devotedly
- disappointedly
- disdainfully
- dismissively
- disparagingly
- dispassionately
- distant voice
- distractedly
- doggedly
- dramatically
- drawled
- dreamily
- dreamily
- drowsily
- dryly
- dully
- dully
- eagerly
- earnestly
- easily
- emphatically
- emphatically
- encouragingly
- energetically
- enigmatically
- enthusiastically
- enviously
- evasively
- evilly
- exasperatedly
- excitedly
- explicitly
- exuberantly
- faint voice
- faintly
- fearfully
- feebly
- fervently
- fiercely
- finally
- firmly
- flatly
- fluently
- forcefully
- frankly
- frantically
- furiously
- fussily
- genially
- gently
- gleefully
- gloatingly
- glumly
- graciously
- gratefully
- gravelly voice
- greedily
- grimly
- grudgingly
- gruffly
- grumpily
- guaranteed
- half-heartedly
- happily
- harshly
- hastily
- hatefully
- heartily
- heatedly
- heavily
- helpfully
- helplessly
- high-pitched voice
- hoarsely
- hollow voice
- honestly
- hopefully
- hotly
- hurriedly
- hushed voice
- hysterically
- icily
- idly
- impatiently
- imperturbably
- implicitly
- imploringly
- in a rush
- in a whisper
- in an undertone
- in disbelief
- in hushed tones
- in relief
- in unison
- inadvertently
- inarticulate yell of rage
- incoherently
- incomprehensibly
- inconsequentially
- incredulously
- indifferently
- indignantly
- innocently
- inquiringly
- insistently
- interestedly
- irritably
- irritated voice
- jarringly different voice
- jauntily
- jealously
- jerkily
- jovially
- joyfully
- jubilantly
- keenly
- kindly
- knowledgeably
- lamely
- lazily
- let slip
- lightly
- loftily
- loudly
- lovingly
- low voice
- loyally
- madly
- matter-of-factly
- melodramatically
- menacingly
- merrily
- mildly
- miserably
- morosely
- mournfully
decidedly
- muffled voice
- musingly
- mysteriously
- nastily
- naturally
- nervously
- not of hysteria
- note of accusation
- note of derision
- note of skepticism
- numbly
- obediently
- obnoxiously
- off-handedly
- oily voice
- ominously
- ostentatiously
- outburst
- painfully
- panicky voice
- parched voice
- passionately
- paternally
- patiently
- persistently
- placidly
- plainly
- plaintively (sadly)
- pleasantly
- pointedly
- politely
- pompous and singsong mocking
- pompously
- portentously
- positively shouted
- promptly
- proudly
- quellingly
- quickly
- quietly
- rapidly
- rapturously
- rattled voice
- rattling breath
- rattling gasp
- reasonably
- reassuringly
- reedy voice
- referred
- refused
- regretfully
- reluctantly
- reminiscently
- remonstratively
- repeatedly
- repressive voice
- repressively
- reproachfully
- reprovingly
- resentfully
- resigned voice
- respectfully
- reverently
- robustly
- roughly
- rudely
- ruefully
- ruthlessly
- sagely
- sarcastically
- sardonically
- savagely
- scandalized tone
- scandalous tone
- scathing noise
- serenely
- seriously
- shakily
- shamelessly
- sharply
- shiftily
- shocked voice
- shortly
- shrewdly
- shrilly
- silkily
- simply
- sincerely
- skeptically
- sleekly
- slightly
- slowly
- slurred speech
- slyly
- smilingly
- smoothly
- snidely
- snidely
- softly
- solemnly
- somberly
- soothingly
- soundlessly
- sourly
- squeakily
- stab at airiness
- started
- staunchly
- steadily
- sternly
- stiffly
- stifled a yawn
- stoutly
- strained voice
- strained whisper
- strangely
- strangled voice
- strong voice
- strongly
- succinctly
- suddenly
- sulkily
- suspiciously
- sweetly
- swiftly
- sympathetically
- tartly
- tartly
- tearfully
- tensely
- tentatively
- tersely
- testily
- thankfully
- thickly
- thoughtfully
- threateningly
- throatily
- through chattering teeth
- thunderously
- timidly
- timorously
- tone of bravado
- tonelessly
- tones of outrage
- tragically
- tremulously
- triumphantly
- truthfully
- unabashedly
- unashamedly
- unblushingly
- uncertainly
- uncharacteristically
- uncharacteristically
- uncomfortably
- unconcernedly
- under breath
- unexpectedly
- ungraciously
- happily
- unhelpfully
- unpleasantly
- untruthfully
- urgently
- vaguely
- vainly
- vehemently
- vigorously
- violently
- voice broke away
- voice faltered
- voice floated
- voice of contempt
- voice tailed away
- voice tailed away
- voice trailed off
- voiced dropped
- warily
- warmly
- waspishly
- weakly
- wearily
- whistled
- wildly
- with difficulty
- wonderingly
- wordlessly
- wryly
- abused
- accepted
- accused
- added
- addressed
- admitted
- admonished
- advised
- agreed
- allowed (admitted)
- announced
- answered
- apportioned blame
- apprised
- approved
- argued
- arranged
- articulated
- asked
- assented
- assigned
- assumed a tone
- assured
- babble of talk
- babbled
- bade (farewell)
- badgered
- balked
- bandy (spread rumor)
- barked
- bawled (at top of lungs)
- beamed
- beckoned
- beckoned
- began
- begged
- belched
- bellowed
- beseeched
- bickered
- blamed
- blared
- bleated
- blithered
- blurted
- blustered
- boasted
- booed
- boomed
- bossed
- bray (donkey)
- breathed
- broken in
- broke it to him
- broke off
- burbled
- burped
- burst
- butted in
- cackled
- called
- chanted
- chastised
- chattered
- checked
- cheered
- chewed
- chided
- chirped
- choked
- choked on that
- chortled
- christened
- chuckled
- cleared throat
- clucked
- cogitate
- commanded
- commented
- communicated
- confided
- confirmed
- conceded
- consented
- considered
- consulted
- contacted
- continued
- conversed
- conveyed
- corresponded
- coughed
- cried
- croaked
- cursed (fluently)
- cut across
- cut in
- daresay
- declared
- declined
- decreed
- decried
- defended
- demanded
- denied
- deplored
- disagreed
- discussed
- dismissed
- dissolved into wails of gratitude
- divulged
- drawled
- dribbled out of his mouth
- droned on
- dropped his voice to a whisper
- echoed
- effect an introduction
- ejaculated (will never use)
- elaborated
- embellished
- encouraged
- entertained
- enumerated
- erupted
- exaggerated
- exclaimed
- excused
- explained
- expounded
- false laugh
- faltered
- figured
- finished
- fired up
- forestalled
- forewarned
- framed a reply
- fumed
- gave a derisive snort/laugh
- gagged
- gasped
- gibbered
- giggled
- gloated
- granted/had to grant
- grated
- greeted
- grimaced
- grinned
- groaned
- growled
- grumbled
- grunted
- guessed
- guffawed
- gulped
- gurgled
- haggle
- hearty guffaw
- heaved a sigh
- hector
- heralded
- hesitated
- hiccoughed
- hiccupped
- hinted
- hissed
- hooted
- howled
- howled with laughter/pain
- huffed
- hummed
- humored
- identified
- implored
- impressed
- indicated
- inflected
- informed
- inquired
- insisted
- instructed
- interjected
- interrogated
- interrupted
- intervened
- intimated
- intonated
- introduced
- invented
- it was on his lips to ask
- jabbed
- jabbered
- jeered
- jested
- jibed
- lamented
- laughed
- launched
- launched into the story
- lied
- listed
- maintained
- maintained
- meandered
- mentioned
- mimed
- mimicked
- moaned
- mocked
- mouth fell open
- mouthed soundlessly
- mumbled
- murmur of interest
- murmured
- mused
- muttered
- nagged
- named
- natter
- negotiated
- nickered (horse)
- nodded
- noted
- objected
- observed
- offered
- ordered
- overrode
- overstated
- panted
- persisted
- piped up
- placed
- pleaded
- pleaded
- pled
- pointed out
- prate
- prate at
- prattle
- prattled
- presented
- pressed on (the matter)
- pressed the point
- promised
- protested
- purred
- put to words what they had realized
- quelled
- questioned
- quipped
- quavered
- quivered
- quizzed
- racked
- raged
- ranted
- rasped
- rattled
- raved
- reasoned
- reassured
- recalled
- rechristened
- recited
- reckoned
- recounted
- reflected
- regaled (to retell to someone)
- related
- remarked
- reminded
- reminisced
- remonstrated
- repeated
- replied
- reported
- requested
- resolved
- responded
- retched
- retorted
- revealed
- riddled
- roared
- rumble
- said in disgust
- said with relish
- sang
- scathingly
- scoffed
- screeched
- shivered
- shooed
- shot
- shouted
- shouted herself hoarse
- shrieked
- shrugged
- shushed
- slobbered
- slurred
- smothered laughter
- snapped
- snarled
- sneered
- sniffed
- sniggered
- snored
- snorted
- snubbed
- sobbed
- sounded
- spat
- spiel
- sputtered
- spluttered
- spoke
- spoke ill of
- spouted
- sprayed spit
- spun
- squawked
- squeaked
- squealed
- squelched
- stammered
- stated
- stifled a laugh
- stressed
- stuttered
- suggested
- supplied
- suppressed laughter
- surely you jest
- swallowed
- swore
- taunted
- teased
- tensely
- tersely
- thanked
- threatened
- through gritted teeth
- thundered
- tipped off
- toasted
- told
- tongue in cheek
- took up the cry
- trilled
- trumpeted
- tut-tutted
- twinkled
- understated
- urged
- uttered
- vituperate (insult)
- voice boomed
- voiced
- vomited
- wailed
- warbled
- warned
- went on
- wheezed
- whimpered
- whispered
- whistled
- whooped
- wished
- wish him good luck
- yapped
- yawned
- yelled
- yelped
- yipped

 

[Fidelis Hodie]

Good lord, this would be the best thing to tl;dr.

Except that I did. And I'm definitely copying it. Some words I didn't know at all.

 

[BorkBork]

Good list to start with. I struggle to pick the right word or description constantly. Also have difficulty coming up with the appropriate metaphors to suit the situation.

 

[Bombadil]

If this thread gets popular, I'll also post my word list for ways of moving. I think some of the creative writing challenge veterans might like it.

 

[JDSN]

Big fan of Arthur C. Clarke?

 

[Bombadil]

Big fan of Arthur C. Clarke?

Never read him. Why?

 

[Joe Shlabotnik]

Rowling really loves those adverbs.

 

[ElectricBlanketFire]

Read some Cormac McCarthy if you want to know how to say things.

 

[Genesis Knight]

Huh, I slash as many adverbs from my prose as possible. Thought that was standard practice? I also thought dialogue tags were abhorred - "he shooed", "she squeaked". Michael Stackpole recommends trying to get through an entire novel without ever saying "he said/she said" or a variant.

 

[B-Dubs]

I can't say I'm a big fan of adverbs.

 

[meijiko]

Huh, I slash as many adverbs from my prose as possible. Thought that was standard practice?

Nothing's really standard practice. It all depends on the style of writing you're going for.

 

[B-Dubs]

Nothing's really standard practice. It all depends on the style of writing you're going for.

The thing is with a lot of adverbs you can replace them with more descriptive language. Words like "angrily" tell you the person is angry, but it doesn't convey how angry they are. Are they livid? Did they just pop a blood vessel? Are they shaking with anger? Maybe they're so angry they can barely speak, or maybe they're spitting their words into someone's face. It's usually worth it to see if you can replace them with more descriptive language so you can paint a better picture. That isn't to say they shouldn't be used, but that sometimes they don't paint the full picture.

 

[Bombadil]

Half the words aren't adverbs, so if adverbs aren't your thing I suggest looking at the nonbolded words.

I tried reading Cormac Mcarthy. He's overly minimalist in The Road.

 

[jtb]

I despise adverbs. It's cliche, I know, but I can't help myself.

 

[Joe Shlabotnik]

Huh, I slash as many adverbs from my prose as possible. Thought that was standard practice? I also thought dialogue tags were abhorred - "he shooed", "she squeaked". Michael Stackpole recommends trying to get through an entire novel without ever saying "he said/she said" or a variant.

While you don't have to abolish them completely, you should be conscious of how often you're using adverbs or dialogue tags to see whether the meaning and intent could be better shown in the dialogue itself.

Also, OP, it's always good to expand your vocabulary, of course. And I think it's good to be aware of turns of phrases as you find them. But much like overuse of adverbs, common phrases like "howled with laughter" might be better replaced with something more distinct. It's nearly impossible to come up with unique descriptions and phrases all of the time, but you want to be conscious of phrases coming to you a bit too easily.

 

[Stet]

Not a fan of dialogue tags myself.

 

[ElectricBlanketFire]

I tried reading Cormac Mcarthy. He's overly minimalist in The Road.

Try again.

Or read The Border Trilogy.

 

[Bombadil]

Try again.

Or read The Border Trilogy.

Okay. Maybe.

 

[jtb]

Also, one of my favorite quotes from Hemingway: "Poor Faulkner. Does he really think big emotions come from big words? He thinks I don't know the ten-dollar words. I know them all right. But there are older and simpler and better words, and those are the ones I use."

Having a large vocabulary is a great thing, but knowing that you don't have to use it as a crutch is even more important, imo.

 

[Cyan]

Oh God, said-bookisms (said-threadisms?).

Just use "said." It's invisible, it shows what's happening without distracting the reader, it lets the dialogue lead.

Or use action tags, if you get tired of said.

 

[Woorloog]

http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/SaidBookism

Of course not everything should be "said" either. Just don't use too many of alternatives too often...

Good list though, i'll save it to my notes, might need it...

EDIT:

"Absolutely," confirmed Bob, "it's considered redundant," he proceeded, "because dialogue should speak for itself without needing fancy tags to convey its meaning and intention."

 

[Bombadil]

Oh God, said-bookisms (said-threadisms?).

Just use "said." It's invisible, it shows what's happening without distracting the reader, it lets the dialogue lead.

Or use action tags, if you get tired of said.

To just say "said" all the time is not a good idea. I've noticed that a lot in the short stories from the creative writing challenge thread.

 

[Cyan]

To just say "said" all the time is not a good idea. I've noticed that a lot in the short stories from the creative writing challenge thread.

Styles will vary, but my preference is a mix of empty tags, action tags, and said. Leaning a bit more toward empty and action tags. And almost never said-bookisms, unless there's a good reason.

To just say "said" all the time is a perfectly fine practice, if not ideal, and certainly far preferable to using said-bookisms. One of the things I like about the challenge thread stories is that most people don't fall into this trap.

 

[Bombadil]

Styles will vary, but my preference is a mix of empty tags, action tags, and said. Leaning a bit more toward empty and action tags. And almost never said-bookisms, unless there's a good reason.

To just say "said" all the time is a perfectly fine practice, if not ideal, and certainly far preferable to using said-bookisms. One of the things I like about the challenge thread stories is that most people don't fall into this trap.

I have a list for action tags describing movement. But gaf doesn't like my apples, so I don't know if I should share my oranges.

 

[jns]

Oh God, said-bookisms (said-threadisms?).

Just use "said." It's invisible, it shows what's happening without distracting the reader, it lets the dialogue lead.

Or use action tags, if you get tired of said.

This is great advice for new and old writers alike.

Also adverbs can often make writing sound like an excited teenage boy describing his first night on the town with his friends. I might use one or two in dialogue, but no more than a handful in a novel and usually avoid them completely in short stories.

Oh and thumbs up for whoever suggested McCarthy. He's not the be-all-and-end-all but his prose is quite beautiful. personally I try to read wide and far and find you can learn even from poor prose and dull stories in general.