I am getting so picky. *sigh*

[severity_softly]

I seriously love this icon. Is that weird? I mean, I made it, and my vision fails me, so it's probably crap, but I can't stop using it...

I've recently realized I have a serious issue with exclamation points in dialogue in fic. I use them all the time in comments, emails, etc... but in fic dialogue, I have grown to hate them. Is it just me?

[Poll #1359755]

Comments

[mcgarrygirl78.livejournal.com]

I am not the biggest Reid fangirl on the planet but I love the icon too. I think every Criminal Minds character should have a COFFEE icon. Does Rossi drink coffee?

Hail the exclamation point. I myself am obsessed with ellipses and semicolons. I'm shameless and dont care : )

[severity-softly.livejournal.com]

He probably does. They all do! ;)

I'm a recovering ellipses addict. I used to use them constantly. I still do in "informal" writing, but I've cut back in fic. I actually never used semicolons until recently, though, and find them pretty sexy. I might just be replacing one addiction with another. >.>

[snegurochka_lee]

Agreed. Exclamation points in dialogue in general? No, if you can help it. Exclamation points in sex scene dialogue? No no no never ever no. Just a rule of thumb I use. :)

[severity-softly.livejournal.com]

See, I just can't read them without thinking the speaker has gone batshit screaming anymore. I TRIED to like them, but I just can't fool myself now. ;)

[shinealightonme]

The only time exclamation points bother me in dialogue is when they are used for more than one sentence in a row. If that makes sense.

Also, I love that icon.

[severity-softly.livejournal.com]

*G* You don't want to be overwhelmed with the ZOMG! lol I can see that.

(and thank you)

[innerslytherin]

Same here. Unless they really are screaming at each other, in which case WHY THE HELL WOULDN'T YOU DO LIKE JKR AND USE CAPSLOCK OMG!?!!!!!ONE

*cough* I mean.

Yeah, more than one exclamation point in a paragraph of dialogue might happen to me in a first draft and is always something I try to edit out.

Errrr....

[femme-slash-fan.livejournal.com]

WTF?

*confused*

Re: Errrr....

[severity-softly.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure what's confusing, or I'd try to explain. ;)

Re: Errrr....

[femme-slash-fan.livejournal.com]

I'm a little brainless today (and was last night)... but you seem to be... fussing over tiny things. (of course I overuse full stops in my fic so...)

Re: Errrr....

[severity-softly.livejournal.com]

It is relatively minor, but it's something that can really throw me out of a fic, considering if I perceive someone to be yelling, it can make their characterization feel off. I like picking apart writing stuff anyway, and judging by the poll, I'm not the only one with opinions on such a little issue. ;)

Re: Errrr....

[femme-slash-fan.livejournal.com]

So true...

I guess I was too quick to post last night... I need a new brain. *sigh*

This was fun though... especially the results!

[innerslytherin]

I think they're good for emphasis and descriptors should be used to indicate the loudness of voice.

I have noticed that you seem to think all !!!!!!!! mean shouting. *G*

[severity-softly.livejournal.com]

I agree that descriptors should be used for level of voice... and that exclamation points are still for yelling.

*hates on them*

[darkhawkhealer.livejournal.com]

Garcia, when she's on the other end of the line and she's being flaily because Morgan just did something to freak her out -- that's when I think exclamation points.

Any level of panic or excitement will warrant them, for me.

[iscaris.livejournal.com]

Augh, I just read the message you sent me six weeks ago in my LJ inbox., which I did not see until now. *facepalm* Just wanted to let you know that I sent you a private reply (in case LJ doesn't tell YOU, either) and I'm very sorry about the delay.

*walks away, trite*

[sophie301.livejournal.com]

Anything with Reid and coffee makes me happy :)

I hate exclamation marks so effing much in anything vagley seriose (i have a lecturer who uses them in chemistry notes *shudder*) except that i use a ton in comment / emails / msn, meh