Repetitive, much?

[tntea]

When it comes to writing short stories or novels, I usually have a BUNCH of characters. And even when it comes to, like, having four people in a scene, saying their names over and over again seems too repetitive. But if I say "he, she", the reader may not know which person of each gender I'm talking about. Any advice, s'il vous plaît?

[Charles Darnay]

If the situation calls for it, you can attach an epithet to the character (a one-two word description to identify them - this only works in certain situations though. Sometimes character name repetition is unavoidable.

If you find yourself writing short sentences describing actions (Dave woke up. He brushed his teeth. Dave washed his face, etc.) - a bit of an exaggeration, but if you are doing this type of thing then try to make your sentences more complex.

When alternating between a group (as you seem to be) it becomes tougher and once again, sometimes you cannot avoid the repetition....my suggestion in this case would be to try to play with it using such devices as alliteration.

Best of luck to ye and all the best!
-CD

[tntea]

Ooh, that sounds great! Thank you very much, CD. =)

[Zippy]

I don't think you have to worry too much that the reader will confuse your characters. Some of the best writers use only 'he said' or 'she said' quite effectively. It's usually down to a lack of confidence on the writer's part that they feel that they need tag every piece of dialogue.

Think back to a book you have read and enjoyed. Did you really notice the dialogue tags? If the story is engaging then you get caught up in it and don't notice such things.

I know that if you have a few characters in a single scene then it can seem quite confusing, but if you're handling the dialogue well then the character's own distinctive voice should tell the reader who is speaking when.

[JBI]

Only reveal who is speaking when it is necessary. And generally, rule of thumb, wirte "name" said, instead of said "name". It sounds a lot better.

[Charles Darnay]

Only reveal who is speaking when it is necessary. And generally, rule of thumb, wirte "name" said, instead of said "name". It sounds a lot better.

I'd have to disagree....I think they both work and depending what what proceeds and follows either can sound better

Generally, "Name said" works better if you leave it at that, but "said Name" works better if you follow it up with more "said Name, taking a bite into her sandwich"...not the greatest example but still....

[AuntShecky]

You know, I had this problem reading Melville's funny and
extremely thought-provoking The Confidence Man. There were spots were I couldn't figure out who was who, who was speaking, the con man (in his latest disguise) or his mark. John O'Hara,Updike, Saul Bellow, among other contemporary authors, often don't use "he said," "she said," at all. A new change of speaker means a new paragraph, and these writers are so skillful, their characters "sound" distinctive, so we know who's talking through their word choice and other aspects of dialogue.

[kelby_lake]

I had that problem reading a book called 'The Dark Room'

[xtianfriborg13]

Yeah, that's definitely a dilemma. I sometimes read those kinds of scenes on books and I had to practically go back to the origin of the conversation just to be sure whoever is speaking.

[cacian]

I tend to write short and so will only write with less in mind.
Repetitions of names can be tricky and so it is better to keep the story short snappy and with less characters activities as possible.