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The Dialogue Thesaurus: A Fiction Writer's Sourcebook of Dialogue Tags and Phrases
The Book Every Aspiring Fiction Writer Needs On Their Bookshelf!Sometimes the word 'said' just doesn't cut it. Sometimes a writer needs something with a little more expressive power; a word or phrase that helps the reader visualize the tonal quality or mood of the character doing the talking.For many years, writers have been eagerly awaiting the publication of a resource to help them with this dilemma. Thankfully, that wait is finally over. Now there's a way for any writer, regardless of their experience, to craft dialogue tags that add emotion and vibrancy to their storytelling; all while avoiding tired and worn out cliches.Dahlia Evans has compiled a dialogue thesaurus unlike anything ever published. This unique sourcebook is filled to the brim with words and phrases gathered from hundreds of bestselling novels. Finally, you will be able to open up vistas of endless inspiration and bring your dialogue to life.Inside You'll Over 500 dialogue and action tags you can use instead of 'said'.# More than 2900 adverbs that can be used to describe speech.# Thousands of emotion and feeling words in adjective and noun form.# A thousand phrases to describe body language and movement.# Tons of example sentences to help solidify your understanding.# And best of all, words are sorted in alphabetical order, as well as by category.'The Dialogue Thesaurus' is the first book of its kind; a thesaurus geared towards writers who want to frame their dialogue with compelling and expressive words and phrases.
174 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 27, 2015
724 people are currently reading
337 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
March 26, 2022
From all the books that I’ve read on how to nail dialogue, this one seems not needed at all. The only part that I found helpful was the last part, body beats. There were really glorious body beats/ action beats in this book to use for reference.
Dialogue tags. Most of the dialogue books tell us to only stick to the main five, said, reply, answer, whisper and yell. There are reasons for that. This book is teaching you a million others, thinking it will spice up your writing but will convey something completely different to readers and publishers out there.
Adverbs is a big no-no to use in fiction writing. So many books about fiction writing are saying this, and if you use them, use them sparingly. It’s also a big tell word.
Emotional words, also part of telling. They dubbed telling as lazy writing, even though we need to tell parts, there are just certain words to stay away from and I feel this book is contradicting everything that other books about the craft are saying.
The last part was the only part that I seemed to find helpful. And therefore I give it a three. Would’ve loved to learn more about dialogue, but it’s hard when a book is contradicting everything you’ve learned from the lot I already read.
Dialogue tags. Most of the dialogue books tell us to only stick to the main five, said, reply, answer, whisper and yell. There are reasons for that. This book is teaching you a million others, thinking it will spice up your writing but will convey something completely different to readers and publishers out there.
Adverbs is a big no-no to use in fiction writing. So many books about fiction writing are saying this, and if you use them, use them sparingly. It’s also a big tell word.
Emotional words, also part of telling. They dubbed telling as lazy writing, even though we need to tell parts, there are just certain words to stay away from and I feel this book is contradicting everything that other books about the craft are saying.
The last part was the only part that I seemed to find helpful. And therefore I give it a three. Would’ve loved to learn more about dialogue, but it’s hard when a book is contradicting everything you’ve learned from the lot I already read.
May 15, 2024
Another let down; I was expecting something more, something helpful that’ll help me progress more in my writing cause I’ve been struggling to finish my first novel (not my first book ever, just first novel; my published book is just short stories no one gives a shit about, understandably).
Google Search gives me more information than this book; maybe having the meaning/definition beside each word/phrase would've been worth adding another star.
Google Search gives me more information than this book; maybe having the meaning/definition beside each word/phrase would've been worth adding another star.
August 17, 2016
Great reference book for writing dialogue. A wealth of entries for both standard and deep point of view. If using deep POV know which ones not to use.
April 16, 2024
This is another book that I added to my reference shelf for when I am stuck with dialogue. Dialogue used to frustrate me as a writer, and at the suggestion of my wife, I started reading romances (who live and die by dialogue) to improve my own written dialogue. This book is handy as it breaks the tags down by feelings, emotions, etc. and I found that helpful.
Books such as this are also handy especially if you are like me and horrible about going down a rabbit hole. For that reason when I write I use an app that shuts off the internet, and all other things that might distract me. I also shut off my cell phone and my Kindle. With all the electronics safely shuttered, I don't have access to many of the online writing resources. Having analog books helps me search for ideas without endangering my creativity by turning on the internet and getting distracted.
Books such as this are also handy especially if you are like me and horrible about going down a rabbit hole. For that reason when I write I use an app that shuts off the internet, and all other things that might distract me. I also shut off my cell phone and my Kindle. With all the electronics safely shuttered, I don't have access to many of the online writing resources. Having analog books helps me search for ideas without endangering my creativity by turning on the internet and getting distracted.
May 7, 2024
So helpful
I struggle to include body language hints when writing dialogue and this book has been so helpful in finding the appropriate phases and words to communicate body language without getting too wordy about it. Especially helpful for when the character speaking doesn't have the POV. The internal thoughts tags are also great to show the reaction of the character with POV. This has defintiely elevated my dialogue scenes. Highly recommend this one to any writer, aspiring or experienced.
I struggle to include body language hints when writing dialogue and this book has been so helpful in finding the appropriate phases and words to communicate body language without getting too wordy about it. Especially helpful for when the character speaking doesn't have the POV. The internal thoughts tags are also great to show the reaction of the character with POV. This has defintiely elevated my dialogue scenes. Highly recommend this one to any writer, aspiring or experienced.
July 23, 2021
Useful reference for writers and editors
When writers and editors are stuck in creativity and revision, there are useful references for inspiration. This book is one of them. Look up a troublesome physical action or gesture. You’ll find a dozen or more, say, arm actions. And several usage examples. Don’t copy. Adapt and revise.
When writers and editors are stuck in creativity and revision, there are useful references for inspiration. This book is one of them. Look up a troublesome physical action or gesture. You’ll find a dozen or more, say, arm actions. And several usage examples. Don’t copy. Adapt and revise.
July 22, 2020
Fantastic writers resource
What a fantastic resource for any writer. It makes it so much easier if you're having a block on how to find other ways to describe the he said/she said or did situation, and that in itself is worth its weight in Gold!
What a fantastic resource for any writer. It makes it so much easier if you're having a block on how to find other ways to describe the he said/she said or did situation, and that in itself is worth its weight in Gold!
August 1, 2020
So thorough
This is the type of book for every writer's shelf. She painstakingly writes out for any thought process, gives examples. Focuses on emotion types, or body parts from which dialogue can focus from. Amazing.
This is the type of book for every writer's shelf. She painstakingly writes out for any thought process, gives examples. Focuses on emotion types, or body parts from which dialogue can focus from. Amazing.
August 28, 2020
Good Resource for Writers
This book is a good resource for authors searching for the right words to express dialogue. Dahila Evans has compiled a seemingly endless list of phrases, along with a few examples, to provide writers with tools to improve dialogue.
This book is a good resource for authors searching for the right words to express dialogue. Dahila Evans has compiled a seemingly endless list of phrases, along with a few examples, to provide writers with tools to improve dialogue.
November 25, 2022
Good purchase!
I like it because there is good helpful information and it is easy to use. It is organized such that I am able to use it in different ways. Sometimes I look for one thing and end up being inspired to go with something different. This was a good purchase.
I like it because there is good helpful information and it is easy to use. It is organized such that I am able to use it in different ways. Sometimes I look for one thing and end up being inspired to go with something different. This was a good purchase.
April 17, 2018
This book always remains close by as I work on my own fiction titles.
August 11, 2019
Words for the writers soul!
This a treasure for all writers. There is so much good information here i,m "overwhelmed " got that from the book. Thank you so much!
This a treasure for all writers. There is so much good information here i,m "overwhelmed " got that from the book. Thank you so much!
August 31, 2019
Useful Useful Useful
This little book provides useful phrases that definitely will be handy. A perfect little springboard to help the writing dive.
This little book provides useful phrases that definitely will be handy. A perfect little springboard to help the writing dive.
October 6, 2019
Great Reference
This is much needed. As a writer who tries to be unique in my own language, using this book will help me carry out dialogue in a more creative way.
This is much needed. As a writer who tries to be unique in my own language, using this book will help me carry out dialogue in a more creative way.
November 15, 2021
Not what I had hoped for.
March 15, 2022
great resource
February 13, 2023
I've now finished reading this book, but I still use it continuously as a reference whenever needed. It's a great reference book to have on your bookshelf for writing.
November 12, 2023
Helpful
I love how it spices up my dialogue when writing and even in storytelling and ttrpgs. It is very helpful
I love how it spices up my dialogue when writing and even in storytelling and ttrpgs. It is very helpful
July 13, 2024
A Great Resource
I enjoyed this so much I went ahead and ordered myself a physical copy. Can’t wait for the paperback to arrive in the mail :)
I enjoyed this so much I went ahead and ordered myself a physical copy. Can’t wait for the paperback to arrive in the mail :)
August 29, 2024
This is perfect, perfect for writing, perfect for learning dialogue examples. I only wish they had more for physical state
June 5, 2025
Really Good
It has everything to help a writer do better with dialog. It has everything split into sections. Just try it for yourself.
It has everything to help a writer do better with dialog. It has everything split into sections. Just try it for yourself.
November 3, 2020
Useful and practical. a good reference guide.
October 17, 2019
Love this Thesaurus. Every phrase in a YA book all in one book! Thank you Dahlia!
December 30, 2015
I find this Thesaurus really useful. Just reading through the different emotions and feelings, inspired me. It has so many different words and phrases, I assume took a while to collect and write. I love the layout of the book, it was easy to find what I was looking for. In my opinion this is a Great book for fiction writers.
January 12, 2016
A Must Have For Writers.
I initially downloaded the sample because the reviews were so mixed, but within a few seconds of opening the book, I purchased it. Very, very helpful and easy to navigate .....a must have for every writer's reference library. Definitely worth $2.99!
I initially downloaded the sample because the reviews were so mixed, but within a few seconds of opening the book, I purchased it. Very, very helpful and easy to navigate .....a must have for every writer's reference library. Definitely worth $2.99!
February 25, 2016
This is a highly useful reference tool that anyone writing a novel should consider for his or her library.
With this book, the author has successfully simplified the process for novelists who require assistance in selecting the appropriate descriptive words.
With this book, the author has successfully simplified the process for novelists who require assistance in selecting the appropriate descriptive words.
March 25, 2016
Book is worth it for the body language, Don't use anything other than "said"
This book is worth it for the body language section otherwise, use said. No offense to Ms. Evans, but there are a lot of great authors who suggest this rule.
This book is worth it for the body language section otherwise, use said. No offense to Ms. Evans, but there are a lot of great authors who suggest this rule.
May 7, 2024
amazing selection
Incredible collection of adjectives, adverbs and nouns… in a variety of sections/ collections/ great hel if yo are stuck for a better description in dialogue. Great book - worth its weight in gold.
Incredible collection of adjectives, adverbs and nouns… in a variety of sections/ collections/ great hel if yo are stuck for a better description in dialogue. Great book - worth its weight in gold.
April 2, 2016
The first part of this book I use every day! Though I don't necessarily agree with part two, I found parts three and four to be useful as well.
May 3, 2016
Awesome resource for any writer!
Just a gem of a little book and well organized, to boot! If you struggle finding verbs as tags, you will be glad you found it.
Just a gem of a little book and well organized, to boot! If you struggle finding verbs as tags, you will be glad you found it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews