Limit exclamation points from "summary" of Self-Editing for Fiction Writers, Second Edition by Renni Browne,Dave King
Exclamation points are like salt - a little goes a long way. When you sprinkle exclamation points throughout your writing like confetti, they lose their impact. Instead of adding emphasis, they start to feel like background noise. Consider this: if everything is important, then nothing is. Exclamation points are meant to be used sparingly, reserved for moments when you want to convey genuine surprise, excitement, or urgency. If you overuse them, they lose their effectiveness and can even come across as amateurish. One common mistake writers make is using exclamation points to try to make their writing more exciting. But the truth is, if your writing needs exclamation points to be exciting, then it probably isn't exciting enough on its own. Instead of relying on punctuation to create drama, work on building tension and suspense through your characters, plot, and dialogue. Let the story speak for itself, rather than relying on exclamation points to do the heavy lifting. Another issue with using too many exclamation points is that they can make your writing feel overwrought and melodramatic. Readers don't want to feel like they're being shouted at or bombarded with emotion. They want to be able to immerse themselves in the story and connect with the characters on a deeper level. By dialing back on the exclamation points, you allow your writing to breathe and give your readers space to engage with the story on their own terms. So, the next time you're tempted to pepper your writing with exclamation points, take a step back and consider whether they're truly necessary. Are you using them to compensate for weak writing or lackluster storytelling? Or are you using them intentionally and sparingly to add emphasis where it's truly needed? By limiting your use of exclamation points, you can make your writing more impactful, engaging, and effective.
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