: Re: Alternatives to "he said" in dialogue I'm working on my first fiction story. And one mechanical thing I struggle with is how to identify the speakers in dialog without constantly saying "Bob

In some paragraphs, have the speaker do things in addition to speaking. Readers will understand that it's the same person acting as speaking.

Bob knocked on door. "I found an important clue."

Sally held her breath. "What was that?" She cranked the pencil sharpener more furiously.

"The killer left this behind." Bob held out an evidence bag and waggled it. In the bag was a bloody glove.

Carlos's glove. The glove Sally had thrown in the wood chipper only three hours ago.

Sally gripped the pencil so hard that it snapped. "Perhaps we can identify him from fingerprints or DNA."

If there are only two speakers, you don't have to identify them in every paragraph. As long as the dialogue alternates between the speakers, readers can keep track for a few paragraphs. And if each speaker has a distinct voice, you can go even longer without identification.

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: Re: Alternatives to "he said" in dialogue I'm working on my first fiction story. And one mechanical thing I struggle with is how to identify the speakers in dialog without constantly saying "Bob

More posts by @Murray831

: How long has the "scene" method been used for writing a novel? I've noticed that many authors discuss "building" their novels using scenes as the fundamental building block. Be it by software

: College Application Essay Opening and Help I currently have to write an application for college that I wish to go to over the summer. I have no idea where to turn and what to write. The

: Combatting Excessive Familiarity Of Writing Since writing my last question, I've been able to write a handful more items and have tried to nail down some more specific items I can ask about

: Must every piece of speech get its own paragraph? I've had a few people read pieces of narrative writing I've done, and they seem to take issue with the fact that I sometimes put a piece

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