DA GUIDELINEZ #6

Avoid unnecessary dialogue tags. Search your story for said, asked, and thought. Reduce the use of said and asked, especially during action sequences. Once the action is set up, strong characterization should key speaker identification. This keeps the action flowing. Instead of "thought", show some physical action occurring during the thought by the person doing the thinking. When not using "said", make sure your tags are appropriate. Use speaking verbs (whispered, shouted, exclaimed, etc.) and not actions (laugh, smile, giggle).