Editor: The ! Friend or foe?

Both.

Too many and you’re yelling. The mark loses its effectiveness. Use it with all caps and you’re in overkill.

The strength of the exclamation mark is when it is allowed to stand out.

I hear you – but the scene, dialogue needs it. So, write the scene, the active dialogue, to show the emotion the ! tells.

Remember in any creative piece – less is more.