Over used words...

[CarlusMagnus]

Most everything that shows up in written dialogue as overused that actually is overused in general speech is being faithful to actual dialogue. This needs to be tempered, of course, but it's legitimate to some extent because it's being authentic.

I cringe every time this thread reappears, though, because "overused" is one word, not two.

One of the best ways to write awful dialect is to try to mimic the way people really speak.

 

[KeithD]

One of the best ways to write awful dialect is to try to mimic the way people really speak.

I very purposely included "this needs to be tempered, of course." I think you must of read that since you quoted it. If you write them all in the author's speaking patterns you've gone the other bad way.

 

[Annalovesporn]

surreal

 

[Hypoxia]

One of the best ways to write awful dialect is to try to mimic the way people really speak.

I thought to write fiction over a decade ago. I acquired a small voice recorder for a cross-continent drive, to dictate notes but also to stealthily record conversations around me, which I would transcribe, so as to learn how people REALLY talk. What a lingual disaster. Please, invent your conversations. Or tape them off scripted TV.