"Love this stuff, but vociferously disagree with the "Resisting Temptations" meme. Adverbs and alternate/odd/uncommon dialogue tags are like having spices t add to your meal. They convey emotion and meaning beyond the base "said/asked" axis and should be used at times when you want to convey something more in your story without cluttering it up," the author elaborated.
"But editors hate them and adverbs and seem to advise removing them all," another critic, sneeringly.
"Like all spices, they must be used and balanced well," a third unsolicited writer blustered pompously. "Otherwise, your work is boring, if not confusing. Particularly if you do not use any dialogue tags."
"Love this stuff, but vociferously disagree with the "Resisting Temptations" meme. Adverbs and alternate/odd/uncommon dialogue tags are like having spices t add to your meal. They convey emotion and meaning beyond the base "said/asked" axis and should be used at times when you want to convey something more in your story without cluttering it up," the author elaborated.
"But editors hate them and adverbs and seem to advise removing them all," another critic, sneeringly.
"Like all spices, they must be used and balanced well," a third unsolicited writer blustered pompously. "Otherwise, your work is boring, if not confusing. Particularly if you do not use any dialogue tags."
"Who's so mad enough to try that?"
"Editors who've gone mad."
;) :P
That first meme won't survive the 2020s, I expect. "Dad, tell me about the old days before Amazon put ads in kindle books." 🤦♂️