By: SpookyMulder

If your character is going to do, feel, or think something, have him do it before he speaks. Most dialogue should remain untagged. Each character should have their own recognizable "voice." The paragraph should start and end with quotes but, when you need to have a character act, or you want to clarify who is speaking, put it in front of the dialogue.

• "Ouch!" Harry bellowed loudly and quickly stepped away.
• Harry was quick to step away with a loud bellow. "Ouch!"

• "Hi!" Sally said to John and smiled.
• Sally smiled. "Hi John!"

Go through your writing and cut every speech tag. Turn some into actions, moving them ahead of the dialogue, delete others in full. If you agonize over a few, try removing the speech tag and starting a new sentence without it.

• "Hi," Ed replied and smiled back, wishing he didn't have to hurry off to class. He needed to talk to her!
• Ed smiled back. "Hi." He wished he didn't have to hurry off to class. He needed to talk to her!

Better yet, include this information in dialogue, which is far better writing than narrative.

• "Hi," Ed replied and smiled back, wishing he didn't have to hurry off to class. He needed to talk to her!
• Ed smiled back. "Hi. I wish I wasn't late for class. I need to talk to you!"

Speech tags. Get rid of them. They aren't necessary. However, if you feel you need to use one, keep it simple. "Blah blah," he said. Either that or do your best to blend it with a longer sentence. "Blah blah," he said and slid the key into the lock... Whatever you do, never, ever follow the speech tag with an adverb. If you need to describe the tone of the speaker's voice, his mood, or anything similar, do it first. This way, the reader knows the speaker is furious before he speaks and you don't have to inform the reader that he is furious. The reader will understand.

• "I said I didn't do it!" Sam shouted angrily.
• Sam shot to his feet, knocking his chair to the floor with a startling crash. "I said I didn't do it!"

In the first sentence, the reader hears Sam's words and is later informed by the author that Sam is shouting and angry. In the second, before Sam ever utters a word, it's quite clear that Sam is angry and the reader will insert the shouting themselves. This is called "Show, don't tell" and it is invaluable advice. (The retired editor again.) Anytime you can let the reader imagine things for himself and avoid inflicting your vision on him without mercy, you have done your job and probably done it well. This will be covered in the dialogue section and also under description, but I can't repeat it often enough. Whenever you use a speech tag, you have missed the chance to have used description, to have been subtle, and to have written well.