#overuse of dialogue

[dewwshi]

hello artemis entreri

[anthony-crowleys]

POV: you're thinking about all the lost potential that The Acolyte had

[floral-comet-whump]

"That's an order." + whumpee/living weapon

1. “Yes sir/ma’am/handler.”

2. “I can’t! I’m telling you I can't!”

3. “...” (Eye contact, then immediately looking away. Whumpee clenches their fists.) “...no.”

4. (Sigh) “You don’t have to tell me every time.”

5. “But—.. Please?”

how to play

full credits to @/seth-whumps for the idea!! avoiding actually mentioning them, but they're linked

also yes this is the lw ask I was talking about here

[gouinisme]

idk if it's fair to blame the chronically online brain (or the expectation thereof from writers) for recent movies being as subtle as a sledgehammer to the temple but i will either way. first the substance and now mickey 17 seem to have absolutely no faith in their audience's comprehension skills and just, hand you the metaphor and then make sure you got it about 80 billion times. maybe it's good to have such an obvious message in these times, especially given people's habit to interpret satirical characters as role models, but when your main antagonist looks about 2 foundation shades away from an snl trump impression it feels like you're just making bad art

[yutamayo]

Kaiju 8 is fucking amazing I'm annoyed it took me so long to start

[rimouskis]

can I be soooooo uppity right now

[imminent-danger-came]

Me, right now: Oh boy! Just finished isat to completion, the game had some very cool concepts and themeing, but the character writing/dialogue was so bad/against my tastes that I ended up hating it (though I still totally understand why people love it). Anyways, time to look at the isat critical tag to see what other people thought it's flaws were

except

The only two posts in the tag are my own

[oliveespineapples]

I saw this tiktok the other day about how teachers can tell when a kid reads/writes fanfiction and I think it's safe to say I'm SO cooked

[kitsumidori]

So....... this was one of the free games for ps+

I take back a lot of the things I've said about Borderlands 3's being obnoxious because holy hell the amount of time I wanted the characters to just shut up is a bit insane........

The only positive I'll give HoL is that at least the bad writing doesn't make me cry bitterly

[lemonchickenwing]

I find it interesting how Rouxls tends to get fans in the dtr fandom based on how much people are willing to tolerate his speech pattern. Because some people who play the game, refuse to dive into his character simply because they refuse to read his dialogue

[ryderwritings]

Six Sentences Tag!!

Thank you to @fractured-shield for tagging me!! I’m still working up my courage to post more of my WIP but here are six lines/bits of dialogue I thought were a fun introduction to my characters/dynamics!

“The troupe is performing Adrastos of Myrne right now,” Maven said, twisting a piece of hair around her finger.

Cori snickered. “That explains why you’ve gone three times in the past fortnight.”

Elis furrowed her brow, trying to remember. “Is that the one with the unnecessarily shirtless costumes?”

“It’s very necessary!” Cori cried in false offense. “It serves the plot!”

“Right, the plot. What is the plot, exactly?”

Maven looked at her sisters, barely containing their laughter. “Leave me alone.”

I’m tagging anyone who’s looking for an excuse to do a fun tag game!! Consider this your tag :)

[scenedenial]

what are your fanfiction icks that will make you stop reading immediately. can be general or fandom specific

[orcelito]

i hate anytime anyone says like "You should just do this one specific thing with writing bc it's the superior way of writing and everything else sucks" bc im like well what if i dont want to do that with my writing. i rather like how my writing is as it is. & then it makes me feel self conscious of my writing. bc brains are bitches i guess.

[im-not-a-sheep]

comic idea but I need to change one if the characters I was originally gonna use mostly bc I do not like the fandom interpretation

[imastoryteller]

Writing Angry Scenes: Tips to Avoid Melodrama and Make It Real

Anger can be one of the most intense, relatable emotions to read—and one of the trickiest to write. When handled well, an angry scene can pull readers deep into the emotional world of a character, building tension and driving the story forward. But when handled poorly, anger can easily slip into melodrama, making the character’s feelings seem overblown, forced, or even cringe-worthy.

So how can you avoid these pitfalls and write anger that feels real and compelling? Here are some tips to make angry scenes powerful without overdoing it.

1. Understand What Fuels Your Character’s Anger

To write anger authentically, you need to understand its roots. People get angry for complex reasons—fear, frustration, betrayal, grief, and even love. Ask yourself what’s truly driving your character’s anger. Are they afraid of losing control? Do they feel abandoned or misunderstood? Are they hurt by someone they trusted? Anger rarely exists in isolation, so dig into the deeper emotions fueling it.

When you understand the core reasons behind a character’s anger, you can weave those nuances into the scene, making the anger more relatable and layered. Readers will feel the depth of the character's rage, not just the surface heat of it.

2. Show, Don’t Tell—But Don’t Overdo It

“Show, don’t tell” is classic writing advice, but it’s especially crucial in angry scenes. Don’t rely on generic phrases like “She was furious” or “He clenched his fists in anger.” Instead, look for unique ways to convey how this specific character experiences anger. Maybe their voice drops to a deadly calm, or their eyes narrow in a way that makes everyone around them uncomfortable.

That said, showing too much can backfire, especially with exaggerated descriptions. Over-the-top body language, excessive shouting, or too many “flaring nostrils” can tip the scene into melodrama. Use body language and physical cues sparingly and mix them with subtler reactions for a more realistic portrayal.

3. Use Dialogue to Reveal Hidden Layers

People rarely say exactly what they feel, especially when they’re angry. Angry dialogue isn’t just about yelling or throwing out insults; it’s an opportunity to show the character’s deeper thoughts and vulnerabilities.

Consider using controlled, icy responses or unexpected silences. Maybe your character says something hurtful in a low voice rather than screaming. They might express sarcasm, avoidance, or even laugh at the wrong moment. Anger often carries hidden layers, and using these nuances can help your character’s dialogue feel genuine, even haunting, without falling into dramatic clichés.

4. Control the Pacing of the Scene

The pacing of an angry scene can be the difference between a powerful moment and a melodramatic one. In real life, anger doesn’t always erupt instantly; it can simmer, spike, or deflate depending on the situation and the character’s personality. Experiment with different pacing techniques to create tension.

You might build the anger slowly, with small signs that something’s brewing. Or maybe the character explodes suddenly, only to calm down just as quickly, leaving a chill in the air. Controlling the pace helps you control the reader’s emotional engagement, drawing them in without overwhelming them.

5. Avoid Clichéd Expressions and Overused Reactions

When writing anger, avoid falling back on clichés like “seeing red,” “boiling with rage,” or “blood boiling.” These phrases have been overused to the point that they lose their impact. Instead, get creative and think about how your character’s anger might feel specifically to them.

Maybe their skin feels prickly, or their jaw aches from clenching it. Think about details that are unique to the character and to the moment. By focusing on small, unique sensory details, you’ll help readers feel the anger rather than just reading about it.

6. Let the Setting Reflect the Emotion

The setting can be an effective tool to amplify a character’s anger without overstating it. Small details in the environment—such as the hum of a refrigerator, the slow ticking of a clock, or the distant sounds of laughter—can create a sense of contrast or isolation that heightens the character’s rage.

For example, imagine a character seething in a peaceful park or a quiet library. The calm of the surroundings can make their anger feel more potent. Or maybe they’re in a crowded, noisy room where they feel unseen and unheard, which fuels their frustration further. This use of setting can add depth to the scene without the need for dramatic gestures.

7. Let Consequences Speak for Themselves

An effective way to avoid melodrama is to let the consequences of the anger show its intensity. Characters don’t always have to yell or physically react; sometimes, a single choice can convey more than any outburst.

Perhaps your character cuts off a close friend or says something they can’t take back. Maybe they throw away a meaningful object or walk out in silence. By focusing on the consequences of their anger, you can reveal the impact without over-explaining it.

8. Let the Emotion Simmer After the Scene Ends

Anger is rarely resolved in a single moment, and its effects often linger. When writing an angry scene, think about how it will affect your character moving forward. Are they holding onto grudges? Do they feel guilty or exhausted afterward? Does their anger transform into something else, like sadness or regret?

Allowing the anger to simmer in your character’s mind even after the scene ends creates a more authentic and layered portrayal. It shows that anger is complex and doesn’t just disappear the moment the scene is over, adding emotional weight to both the character and the story.

[squorttle-pox]

yes but remember to use them like white people do (sparingly)

dialogue tags like "he rasped" or "she hissed" aren’t cringe. they’re seasoning. use them.