Comments on: The Name Game

By: Chihuahua0

Chihuahua0 — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 21:46:33 +0000

-necro comment-

Ah. A variation of this (when two characters does this in a row in order to introduce their names to the characters) is one of my reading pet peeves.

Usually, the only time I use this is when a character is addressing another one with force (X, listen to me.) It’s a technique I learnt on Internet forums.

By: Liz E.

Liz E. — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 15:38:30 +0000

I use my husband’s name all the time when talking to him, but he is ADD so I have to snatch his attention if I want something done, but when talking to others I don’t use their names so much unless their name is just fun to say
I don’t think I have done this in my manuscript, but now I’m paranoid and want to go back and read it again to make sure I’m not over using names! AHH!
I also have a character who uses the term “dude” all the time, but he’s not a main character so I don’t think he’s too over powering.

By: Paula Hrbacek

Paula Hrbacek — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 15:18:23 +0000

People who deal with people who have ADD will use the person’s name as a means of getting their attention. “Mary,” Susan turned around and pointed, “hand me the salt.” Once you have their attention, there’s no need to say it any more. If used as an attention-getting device, the name should come at the beginning of the first sentence.

By: Kate

Kate — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 23:59:57 +0000

But I love love love my 13 yr old who’s in his Dude stage!! He’s the one really bright spot in a story about a boy running from a kidnapper back to grab him again. I cut ‘em ruthlessly when I have to…but they make everyone laugh.

By: Robyn Campbell

Robyn Campbell — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 14:58:15 +0000

Excellent post. Endless name dropping is one of my pet peeves.

I can’t wait for the dialogue tag post, though.

By: Michelle B

Michelle B — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 04:20:15 +0000

Great post! And Shaun, I have a character that says “dude” a lot . . . he won’t say it quite so much now

By: Claire Dawn

Claire Dawn — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 06:59:57 +0000

I don’t recall seeing this so I’d never thought about it. But now that I do, the only times I ever say someone’s name to them are in times of extreme emotion.

Exasperation: “Come on Kai, get real!”
Romance: “I love you so much, Kai. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
Anger: “Kai Namimoto, you make every bone in my body sick. What the heck is wrong with you?”

ampersand et cetera.

By: Jess Tudor

Jess Tudor — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 13:17:27 +0000

Can I just say… I address my husband by his name ALL THE TIME? So, um, yes, some people DO talk like that in real life.

But it still doesn’t work in fiction.

By: Mya

Mya — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 18:31:42 +0000

This is such fantastic advice. I’m actually reading a book right now that relies so heavily on dialogue instead of actual written explanations… it hurts my head! Thanks, Mary!

By: Kidlit.com · Tag, You’re It! How To Write Excellent Dialogue Tags

Kidlit.com · Tag, You’re It! How To Write Excellent Dialogue Tags — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 14:32:45 +0000

[...] Bonus: don’t play the name game! [...]