I need an Author Tip!! How do you spell a scream?

CaseyAve · 10-10-2011, 03:15 PM

Let me start by saying that I have done my homework. I've re-read my favorite books and even googled it, but I must be missing some clear and concise way to spell a scream. Yes that's right- a scream!

My daughter's books are pretty consistantly "AARRGH!" But I've seen them several different ways, such as "AAAAH" and "AAAWW" and just the plain old no double letter "ARGH."

Is it just up to me and the sound that I am trying to mimic? Or is it some unwritten rule that I am unaware of. I'm trying to clean up the grammar and spelling in my book and wonder if I'm breaking some rule.

How do you spell a scream?

Thanks guys!

Phogg · 10-10-2011, 03:21 PM

I am partial to AAaiiee for a scream that rises in pitch.

Todd Young · 10-10-2011, 07:35 PM

I think it's entirely up to you how you spell it.

Dr. Drib · 10-10-2011, 07:36 PM

Harlan Ellison might know, but then again he might not be able to tell you.

Don

VydorScope · 10-10-2011, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaseyAve

My daughter's books are pretty consistantly "AARRGH!" But I've seen them several different ways, such as "AAAAH" and "AAAWW" and just the plain old no double letter "ARGH."

I could be WAY off, but I think "Argh" and the various spellings there off are more yells of frustration, while "aaaah" /"aaaww"/etc are more screams of fear.

OneandonlyDoc · 10-11-2011, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VydorScope

I could be WAY off, but I think "Argh" and the various spellings there off are more yells of frustration, while "aaaah" /"aaaww"/etc are more screams of fear.

And Aieeeee! as noted by Phogg is a high pitched shriek.

Phogg · 10-11-2011, 12:55 AM

You could justify buying a big stack of Tales From The Crypt and Creepshow comics as "research."

TonyR · 10-11-2011, 01:02 AM

Hi there.

If what you're writing is a comic book (or maybe I should say "graphic novel") then some variation on "Aiieee!" will probably do. But if you're writing a story or a novel, you'd probably be better off not trying to spell out a scream but using narrative instead to say the character screamed. Could be my imagination's just limited these days, but I can't think of a way to spell it out that doesn't have that comic balloon feel and that's probably not what you want for prose fiction.

My two cents, for what it's worth.

ekster · 10-11-2011, 09:17 AM

I think it's really better to describe it than to spell it, but it's up to you. As for my two cents..

"Argh" is more frustration than a scream.

"Aaie" is someone with a squeaky voice. Mostly a child or a woman.

"Aww" would be either used for pity "Aww, there there", or a reaction to something cute. "Aww, look at those two"

"Aaah" would be a scream of surprise or fear

mr ploppy · 10-11-2011, 12:05 PM

Depends what the scream sounds like, but "aaaah!" is probably the most common and should be understood by anyone. Add extra "aaa" for how long it lasts.

Steven Lyle Jordan · 10-12-2011, 11:25 AM

If I was writing a comic book, I'd be concerned about how to spell a scream. For a novel, I'd just write "He/she screamed," maybe add a bit of detail about what kind of scream (pained, frightened, panicked, etc) and don't worry about the spelling.

Penforhire · 10-12-2011, 12:26 PM

Spoil sport.

Didn't Charlie Brown scream "Waugh?"

OneandonlyDoc · 10-12-2011, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steven Lyle Jordan

If I was writing a comic book, I'd be concerned about how to spell a scream. For a novel, I'd just write "He/she screamed," maybe add a bit of detail about what kind of scream (pained, frightened, panicked, etc) and don't worry about the spelling.

There are some authors who have used the sound of a scream (or a shriek, as is the case with my example) to great effect. L.E. Modesitt Jr. is one of them.

Steven Lyle Jordan · 10-12-2011, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OneandonlyDoc

There are some authors who have used the sound of a scream (or a shriek, as is the case with my example) to great effect. L.E. Modesitt Jr. is one of them.

Meh. Well, not really, but to me (and others), onomatopoeia often comes across as stilted and artificial in novels. Gimmicky. Describing a sound (and allowing the reader to mentally fill in the blank) is much more satisfying to me than reading, "Eeeyyaaauuugghhhhh!" "Crash!" "Be-bump-bump-bump... blop!"

That's me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Penforhire

Spoil sport.

Didn't Charlie Brown scream "Waugh?"

Like I said, that's a comic. In comics, it's okay, because everything is distorted for sequential art.

OneandonlyDoc · 10-13-2011, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steven Lyle Jordan

Meh. Well, not really, but to me (and others), onomatopoeia often comes across as stilted and artificial in novels. Gimmicky. Describing a sound (and allowing the reader to mentally fill in the blank) is much more satisfying to me than reading, "Eeeyyaaauuugghhhhh!" "Crash!" "Be-bump-bump-bump... blop!"

That's me.

I don't necessarily disagree--you're certainly right about the fact that it's about how you do it.

Execution counts.

10-10-2011, 03:15 PM	#1
CaseyAve DoubleDeception.com Posts: 5 Karma: 20000 Join Date: Sep 2011 Device: kindle	I need an Author Tip!! How do you spell a scream? Let me start by saying that I have done my homework. I've re-read my favorite books and even googled it, but I must be missing some clear and concise way to spell a scream. Yes that's right- a scream! My daughter's books are pretty consistantly "AARRGH!" But I've seen them several different ways, such as "AAAAH" and "AAAWW" and just the plain old no double letter "ARGH." Is it just up to me and the sound that I am trying to mimic? Or is it some unwritten rule that I am unaware of. I'm trying to clean up the grammar and spelling in my book and wonder if I'm breaking some rule. How do you spell a scream? Thanks guys!

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10-10-2011, 03:21 PM	#2
Phogg PHD in Horribleness Posts: 2,320 Karma: 23599604 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: In the ironbound section, near avenue L Device: Just a whole bunch. I guess I am a collector now.	I am partial to AAaiiee for a scream that rises in pitch.

10-10-2011, 07:35 PM	#3
Todd Young Addict Posts: 243 Karma: 1004164 Join Date: May 2011 Device: Kindle 2	I think it's entirely up to you how you spell it.

10-10-2011, 07:36 PM	#4
Dr. Drib Grand Sorcerer Posts: 45,611 Karma: 60184181 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Peru Device: KINDLE: Oasis 3, Scribe (1st), Matcha; KOBO: Libra 2, Libra Colour	Harlan Ellison might know, but then again he might not be able to tell you. Don

10-11-2011, 12:55 AM	#7
Phogg PHD in Horribleness Posts: 2,320 Karma: 23599604 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: In the ironbound section, near avenue L Device: Just a whole bunch. I guess I am a collector now.	You could justify buying a big stack of Tales From The Crypt and Creepshow comics as "research."

10-11-2011, 01:02 AM	#8
TonyR Connoisseur Posts: 55 Karma: 100000 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Kansas Device: Kindle, Jetbook Lite, iPod Touch	Hi there. If what you're writing is a comic book (or maybe I should say "graphic novel") then some variation on "Aiieee!" will probably do. But if you're writing a story or a novel, you'd probably be better off not trying to spell out a scream but using narrative instead to say the character screamed. Could be my imagination's just limited these days, but I can't think of a way to spell it out that doesn't have that comic balloon feel and that's probably not what you want for prose fiction. My two cents, for what it's worth.

10-11-2011, 09:17 AM	#9
ekster Currently without a title Posts: 203 Karma: 3209914 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Canada, Qc Device: Kobo Touch	I think it's really better to describe it than to spell it, but it's up to you. As for my two cents.. "Argh" is more frustration than a scream. "Aaie" is someone with a squeaky voice. Mostly a child or a woman. "Aww" would be either used for pity "Aww, there there", or a reaction to something cute. "Aww, look at those two" "Aaah" would be a scream of surprise or fear

10-11-2011, 12:05 PM	#10
mr ploppy Feral Underclass Posts: 3,622 Karma: 26821535 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Yorkshire, tha noz Device: 2nd hand paperback	Depends what the scream sounds like, but "aaaah!" is probably the most common and should be understood by anyone. Add extra "aaa" for how long it lasts.

10-12-2011, 11:25 AM	#11
Steven Lyle Jordan Grand Sorcerer Posts: 8,478 Karma: 5171130 Join Date: Jan 2006 Device: none	If I was writing a comic book, I'd be concerned about how to spell a scream. For a novel, I'd just write "He/she screamed," maybe add a bit of detail about what kind of scream (pained, frightened, panicked, etc) and don't worry about the spelling.

10-12-2011, 12:26 PM	#12
Penforhire Wizard Posts: 2,230 Karma: 7145404 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern California Device: Kindle Voyage & iPhone 7+	Spoil sport. Didn't Charlie Brown scream "Waugh?"

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