Exclaim!

When I type, I like to use lots of exclamation points. Rarely more than one at a time and usually not for two back to back sentences. I use them in sentences which, when read aloud, would be read with a smile.  When I see a period, I think of a monotone voice devoid of emotion, simply delivering information.

Whenever I use an exclamation point, in the back of my mind is a blog from a friend, almost two years ago.

Cut out all these exclamation points. An exclamation point is like laughing loudly at your own joke.

—F. Scott Fitzgerald, as quoted in Beloved Infidel, p. 198.

To which I replied: 

What if you're a really funny person?!