Here’s an excellent discussion, via Chris the Story Reading Ape, of one of the simplest and most useful tools in a writer’s kit: using and abusing “said” and other dialogue tags. I also note that “said” can control rhythm, acting as a strong beat at the end of a scene sequence or before a break. Try it!
Dialogue tags – or speech tags – are what writers use to indicate which character is speaking.
Their function is, for the most part, mechanical.
This article is about how to use them effectively.
Just Can't Help Writing 
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