Sometimes You Need Dialogue Tags And Don't Want To Use The Same Four

⚠️ IF YOU ARE LATINO OR HISPANIC, OR KNOW ANYONE LATINO OR HISPANIC LIVING IN CHICAGO, EVACUATE WITH YOUR PASSPORT, PETS, AND IMPORTANT BELONGINGS ASAP.

Donald trump has officially announced that ICE will be carrying out the first detainment raid within Chicago, Illinois, on Tuesday, January 21st. This raid will consist of at least 300 armed ice officers, who will target immigrants, they say illegal only but let’s be honest, they will target anyone they can. Those detained will be the first people selected to be deported in the trump administrations Hitlerian mass deportation plan as laid out in the project 2025 manifesto. This is truly a horrific day in American history, and it sets a precedent of lawlessness and unchecked dictatorship in action that will be unopposed and ruthless. Stay safe, and I’m so, so fucking sorry. If anyone has any resources they can add to this to aid those who will evacuate, please reblog this with links to those resources.

Fanart for the wonderful IsekaiGirl on AO3! This is from chapter 28. Please go read this wonderful fic, it’s truly a treat to read and the author is an amazing writer!

https://archiveofourown.org/works/61098169/chapters/156103549

Hello, I came today with urgent appeal for help 🚨‼️

Today, I am overwhelmed with despair 😔

I want to say thanks for every support, but the donations have been minimal, and my family's need is urgent ‼️🙏🏻

We are currently in a critical situation—if we can just make it through this phase, things may improve 🕊️

I want to remind you that my husband is in the north, and I am alone with my children in the south 😔

Communication is bad; the last time I spoke with him, he described the situation as catastrophic and stressed the need for significant improvements as a first step 🙏🏻

I sincerely hope that my family will never be left to face this struggle alone after everything we've endured 😩

Your contributions are what can help reunite us in a safe and livable place 🕊️

I urge everyone to donate, no matter how small, or at the very least, amplify our plea by sharing and engaging with our message 🙏🏻

Please don't abandon us— we are utterly exhausted 😔

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Hello Everyone, I am Nour Al Madhoun, 30 years old, a computer engineer from gaza, my h… Tahir Awad needs your support for Help my family r

🌟 Our campaign is vetted by 🇵🇸 @/gazavetters List at #291

Thank you all for your support 🙏🏻

... and that's why I stick to fanfics and fanarts these days.

Welcome to my blog!!

You can call me BW (bookworm)

my pronouns are up to you

I’m 19

I like reading books + fanfiction and watching shows ^^

Aka - One piece, Transformers, 9-1-1, Tolkien, Batfamily, etc.

I’m currently in the process of trying to plan/write a fic - so if i end up falling through I’ll change my status :D

I also like to draw and probably will post my art every now and then

I tend to be on and off with my activity ( ; _ ; )

guys i may have overreacted were good now, love you ao3 🫶 ive never called you a dumb fuck ever

AO3 IS FUCKING DOWN NOOOOOOOOOOOO I WAS JUST IN THE MIDDLE OF READING YOU DUMB FUCK

Overused Words in Writing & How to Avoid Them

We’ve all got our comfort words—those trusty adjectives, verbs, or phrases we lean on like a crutch. But when certain words show up too often, they lose their impact, leaving your writing feeling repetitive or uninspired.

1. “Very” and Its Cousins

Why It’s Overused: It’s easy to tack on “very” for emphasis, but it’s vague and doesn’t pull its weight.

Instead of: “She was very tired.” Try: “She was exhausted.” / “She dragged her feet like lead weights.”

💡 Tip: Use precise, vivid descriptions rather than vague intensifiers.

2. “Looked” and “Saw”

Why It’s Overused: It’s functional but flat, and it often tells instead of shows.

Instead of: “He looked at her in disbelief.” Try: “His eyebrows shot up, his lips parting as if words had failed him.”

💡 Tip: Focus on body language or sensory details instead of relying on generic verbs.

3. “Suddenly”

Why It’s Overused: It’s often used to create surprise, but it tells readers how to feel instead of letting the scene deliver the shock.

Instead of: “Suddenly, the door slammed shut.” Try: “The door slammed shut, the sound ricocheting through the empty room.”

💡 Tip: Let the action or pacing create urgency without needing to announce it.

4. “Said” (When Overdone or Misused)

Why It’s Overused: While “said” is often invisible and functional, using it in every dialogue tag can feel robotic.

Instead of: “I can’t believe it,” she said. “Me neither,” he said. Try: Replace with an action: “I can’t believe it.” She ran a hand through her hair, pacing. “Me neither.” He leaned against the counter, arms crossed.

💡 Tip: Don’t ditch “said” entirely; just mix it up with context clues or action beats.

5. “Felt”

Why It’s Overused: It’s a shortcut that tells instead of showing emotions.

Instead of: “She felt nervous.” Try: “Her palms slicked with sweat, and she couldn’t stop her leg from bouncing.”

💡 Tip: Let readers infer emotions through sensory details or behavior.

6. “Really” and “Actually”

Why It’s Overused: They add little to your sentences and can dilute the impact of stronger words.

Instead of: “I really don’t think that’s a good idea.” Try: “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

💡 Tip: If a sentence works without these words, cut them.

7. “Walked” or “Ran”

Why It’s Overused: These are go-to movement words, but they can feel bland when used repeatedly.

Instead of: “He walked into the room.” Try: “He strolled in like he owned the place.” / “He shuffled in, avoiding everyone’s eyes.”

💡 Tip: Use verbs that convey mood, speed, or attitude.

8. “Just”

Why It’s Overused: It sneaks into sentences unnecessarily, weakening your prose.

Instead of: “I just wanted to say I’m sorry.” Try: “I wanted to say I’m sorry.”

💡 Tip: Delete “just” unless it adds essential nuance.

9. “Thought”

Why It’s Overused: It tells readers what a character is thinking instead of showing it through internal dialogue or action.

Instead of: “She thought he might be lying.” Try: “His story didn’t add up. The timelines didn’t match, and he wouldn’t meet her eyes.”

💡 Tip: Immerse readers in the character’s perspective without announcing their thoughts.

10. “Nice” and Other Vague Adjectives

Why It’s Overused: It’s generic and doesn’t give readers a clear picture.

Instead of: “He was a nice guy.” Try: “He always remembered her coffee order and held the door open, even when his arms were full.”

💡 Tip: Show qualities through actions instead of relying on vague descriptors.

Final Tips for Avoiding Overused Words:

1. Use a thesaurus wisely: Swap overused words for synonyms, but stay true to your character’s voice and the scene’s tone.

2. Read your work aloud: You’ll catch repetitive patterns and clunky phrases more easily.

3. Edit in layers: Focus on eliminating overused words during your second or third pass, not your first draft.

humanformers Optimus ideas got me in a chokehold and i had to get it out of my system before i implode--

+bonus comic:

EDIT: i made a post for megs' design

Cora Latz and Etta Perkins were a lesbian couple who met in 1972 and were together until Perkins’ death in 1998. In 1973, they held a commitment ceremony; in 1998, they privately renewed their vows with the staff who cared for them at the Jewish Home for the Aged.

GLBT Historical Society

Give me your attention.

Please read this as if i were a member of your family. Maybe your sister, your daughter or your friend. As if my family who is going through difficult circumstances is your family.

Hello, I'm Ola, a graduate student from the faculty of science - Al-Azhar University in G@za P@lestine. I truly appreciate you taking a moment to read my story. As you reading my message, myself and my family, “my mother, father, three sisters, and my little brother,” are trying to survive under all kinds of suffering including but not limited to fear, instability, and starvation, thirst, and poverty in northern G@za.

After 448 days of suffering, I am writing to you today with a heavy heart, in desperate need of your help. I cannot describe how harsh the situation we are living in is. My family is suffering from the biting cold of winter, and we are facing a severe shortage of food and clothing. Every day feels like a lifetime, and every moment makes me feel helpless and hopeless. 💔

After the prices went up so crazy, I created this campaign to help my family provide food, water and essential needs. I know for sure that you can't help all families that want your help but at least you can help those who come across your life.

Every simple thing makes a difference in changing the situation we are in. So please don't hesitate to help us 🙏💔

It's your time to help and make a difference, Will you?!

Thank you for taking a minute to read this.♥️

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Donate to Ola's Family Call for your Support Amid Crisis, organized by Nesma Khazendar

Hello, I'm Ola, a graduate student from the faculty of science - Al-Azh… Nesma Khazendar needs your support for Ola's Family Call for your S

My campaign has been vetted by:

@90-ghost here, @northgazaupdates here, and @el-shab-hussien and @nabulsi 's spreadsheet of vetted campaigns #205.

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