How to use dialogue tags in your novel | Revise and Refine

Dialogue tags in fiction are phrases or words used to indicate which character is speaking and how they are speaking. Although the most effective strategy for helping the reader identify who is speaking is to give each character a unique voice, using distinct vocabulary, speech patterns, and pacing, the fact is that dialogue tags cannot always be avoided. In such cases, it is important to understand what dialogue tags are and how to use them effectively to enhance reader experience.

The most common dialogue tag is “said,” but tags can include other verbs like “asked,” “replied,” “whispered,” or “shouted.” These tags help clarify who is speaking and can add emotional or tonal context to the dialogue. For example:

• “I can’t believe it,” she whispered.
• “Are you coming?” he asked.
• “That was amazing!” John shouted.

When I was in the sixth grade, I participated in a group assignment in which we wrote a story that we then illustrated and developed into a handmade children’s book. Our English teacher admonished us to “vary our word choice” and “mix up those dialogue tags.” From then on, all of my fiction writing made use of the most descriptive dialogue tags you could imagine. And then I started a master’s level creative writing program without having earned my bachelor’s degree in English/creative writing (I went to business school for some odd reason).

Imagine my surprise the first time I shared a story in a writing workshop and received feedback from my fellow writers that my use of dialogue tags was weird! It turns out that they had all learned how to properly use dialogue tags in undergrad and couldn’t believe that someone in their master’s degree program in creative writing didn’t yet possess this particular skill. I was mortified to learn just how far behind my peers I was, so I set out to catch up on my own. So, I’m here to help you avoid experiencing such embarrassment!

While they may be useful for clarity, overusing complex or overly descriptive tags can distract the reader, which is why many writers prefer simple tags like “said” or no tags at all when the context is clear. In fact, “said” should be your most used dialogue tag because it is almost invisible to readers. Over time, the reader’s brain will process “said” without focusing on it, allowing the reader to stay immersed in the story without being distracted by the mechanics of the writing. It provides necessary clarity about who is speaking without drawing attention away from the dialogue itself.

Here are a few reasons why “said” works well:

• Neutrality: “Said” is neutral and doesn’t convey specific emotions, letting the dialogue itself carry the tone.
• Avoids Distraction: Using creative tags like “exclaimed,” “giggled,” or “bellowed” too often can pull readers out of the story, as they may start focusing on the tag rather than the content.
• Rhythm and Flow: Repetitive use of more complex tags disrupts the natural flow of conversation, whereas “said” keeps the rhythm smooth.
• Reader Familiarity: Readers are so used to seeing “said” that it fades into the background, making the reading experience more seamless.

The worst dialogue tags to avoid are those that distract or pull readers out of the story, often because they are overly elaborate or unnatural. For example, using overly complex or flowery verbs like “expostulated,” “ejaculated,” or “vociferated” are too distracting and can feel forced or archaic. Adverbs that state the obvious are also to be avoided. Tags like, “he whispered quietly” or “she yelled loudly” are redundant since the dialogue itself or context should convey the tone.

You should also avoid using actions as tags. Do not use tags like “he smiled” or “she laughed” as direct replacements for “said” because these actions aren’t speech-related. Whenever I find such a dialogue tag in my own writing during the revise and refine stage of the writing process, I typically swap it out with “said” and then include a separate beat that shows the character smiling or laughing.

With that *said* (bu-dum-bum), it’s important to mix in other strategies like action beats, gestures, or no tags at all when it is clear who’s speaking. This can provide a small amount of variety and avoid monotony. As with anything in life, balance is key. As the writer, it’s up to you to decide what you think works best in your story for your intended audience. Once you have chosen a strategy, it’s time to put it into play while revising and refining your novel manuscript.

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Now that Jack has been forced to reflect on everything he has to lose, he resolves to do better. He’s determined to spend more time at home with his family and repair the relationships that have suffered over the years while he’s been so focused on work. But as Callie’s behavior becomes increasingly bizarre, Jack realizes he has a lot more room to improve than he realized – and it might be too late to save his daughter after all.

For fans of We Need to Talk About Kevin, The Push, and Baby Teeth.