Say it again, with feeling

Writers use "said" to establish the speakers involved in a scene. However, once it is obvious who is talking, the tags can be dropped for at least a few rounds of dialogue.

"Their situation is urgent and dangerous," said Xena. "I'll have to travel fast."

The bard nodded. "I know...and I can guess what you're going to say next."

"Good, then you understand why I want you to stay here?"

"Oh, sure, I understand."

With a sigh, the warrior said, "Just once I wish you wouldn't take this personally."

Avoid using verbs such as "asked," "responded," "replied," or "answered" too often because it is obvious when a character has replied or asked a question.

As the warrior took her place in the saddle, Gabrielle stared impassively at the setting sun. She would have to make camp soon, on her own. "So, when will you be back?" she asked.

As you can see, the use of "she asked" adds nothing to the reader's understanding of the scene. The paragraph reads better without it.

As the warrior took her place in the saddle, Gabrielle stared impassively at the setting sun. She would have to make camp soon, on her own. "So, when will you be back?"

A typical tendency among beginning writers is to avoid the word "said" and to use any number of other verbs instead: suggested, cried, murmured, declared, stated, husked, whispered, etc. etc. etc. This is not necessary because "said" is considered to be invisible; don't hesitate to use it over and over again where needed to identify a speaker. Use a more colorful alternative to "said" sparingly and only when you want to signal an important change in emotion or tone.

Xena shrugged. "I won't take long. A week or two. Maybe three."

"Three weeks?" said Gabrielle. Then she said, "Well, that should give me plenty of time to finish my latest scroll."

This scene reads very differently by changing just one "said" to a more specific description of Gabrielle's reaction.

Xena shrugged. "I won't take long. A week or two. Maybe three."

"Three weeks?" whispered Gabrielle. Then she said, "Well, that should give me plenty of time to finish my latest scroll."

There are times when you can trust your dialogue to convey the strong emotion behind the character's voice. It doesn't always have to be described to the reader.

The warrior had already kicked Argo into a canter and was halfway down the road when Gabrielle broke into a run and shouted, "Xena, wait!"

At first glance, this might appear to be a good time to use a word other than "said," but the context and the exclamation point set the tone of the dialogue. You don't really need to tell the reader that Gabrielle is shouting. If you establish her as the logical speaker, you can let the dialogue stand on its own.

The warrior had already kicked Argo into a canter and was halfway down the road when Gabrielle broke into a run. "Xena, wait!"

This second version has more dramatic impact.

When two or more people are speaking to each other, remember to keep each person's reactions together with their speech.

Xena reined to a halt and looked down at the bard. "What is it, Gabrielle?" The woman took a gasping breath, trying to sort out her jumbled emotions.

"I just...I didn't say goodbye or be careful. You know, stuff like that."

Is it Xena or Gabrielle who is gasping? In this case, it was actually the bard who was out of breath, so the paragraph breaks need to be revised to read:

Xena reined to a halt and looked down at the bard. "What is it, Gabrielle?"

The woman took a gasping breath, trying to sort out her jumbled emotions. "I just...I didn't say goodbye or be careful. You know, stuff like that."