"Said"

The word "said" is easy to understand. Readers know who is talking and stay engaged in the story. I use “said” to identify the speaking character more than any other verb. A combination of the dialogue itself, and a description of the character’s actions as they are talking often does a better job depicting a character’s mood, than substituting a fancy word for “said.” If I write “she prattled” the reader might need a few extra seconds to digest this less common verb, slowing down the pace of the story.

Here’s an example of three ways to identify the same dialogue.

1. “I don’t know what to do,” Tara said, tapping her pencil on the desk and frowning.

2. “I don’t know what to do,” Tara worried.

3. “I don’t know what to do,” Tara worried, tapping her pencil on the desk and frowning.

I like the first of these three choices, because it shows the reader how the character feels. The word “said” simply lets us know Tara is speaking, it doesn’t get in the way of the scene. The second example tells the reader what’s going on with the character rather than letting him figure it out himself. The third example is redundant. The reader doesn't need a description of her actions and “worried.”

The problem is, a page filled with “said” will sound repetitive. To keep things interesting, I spice it up by using a different verb for “said” every so often. An appropriate replacement adds meaning and variety. The secret is to make sure the substitution fits the situation. Fortunately there are lots of choices. Here are a few.

demanded commanded instructed nagged

groaned ordered scolded urged

announced warned stated protested

giggled lectured lied added

debated indicated observed worried

fretted agreed decided noted

shrieked uttered sniffed replied

argued claimed chortled murmured

piped acknowledged bragged grumbled

spat questioned denied called

insisted estimated lamented yelled

shouted volunteered cried babbled

plotted