Meg Chittenden Waves
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Characters Part II - He Said, She Said

This should not be taken to mean that it's O.K. to write "he said" or "she said" every time anyone speaks. Such constant repetition would be extremely irritating to the reader. Yes, of course, it's O.K. to use an occasional, "he answered," "she shouted," "he murmured." But in moderation.

If you have a long passage of dialogue between two people, you can write several exchanges without using a "said" or a substitute. Or instead of using a "said," you can indicate who is speaking before he or she speaks. (This is called "pointing" at the speaker.) This conversation between Jamie and Turner in Shadow of a Doubt illustrates each of these methods:

(using said): "Loretta did lie about the suitcase," Jamie said. "If she would lie for someone, maybe she'd break into a room for someone."

(no said or substitute)"Rex, you mean."

(no said or substitute)"If he's the chief. Or someone else if he's not."

("pointing" at the speaker)Turner looked at her with great interest. "Who do you have in mind?"

(no said or substitute)"I didn't care much for Gordon Stacey."

("pointing" at the speaker) Turner laughed shortly. "I don't care for him myself, Jamie, but he's a terribly upright citizen. It's a bit of a stretch to imagine he could be involved in running drugs."

(using said) "He's a part owner of the Victoria Hotel," Jamie said.

I must confess I don't use and don't like such reversals as "said she," or "said Charles," or "said the tall man." I've never heard anyone say it that way when telling a story, except in a jocular way--"says you!"