For several years, as a GE and BR, I've been running a campaign against non-speech speech tags.
In other words, any time I see anyone using 'he smiled', 'she shrugged', 'he grinned', 'she sighed' or similar actions as speech tags, I point out that these are not 'speech verbs' and so can't substitute for one.
Yes, you can smile
while speaking, but smiling on its own doesn't involve use of the vocal chords.
You have to engage speech at the same time, and that's why 'smiled' isn't a speech verb and shouldn't be used as a speech tag.
If you really do want to avoid the repetitive use of 'said', then Pam's suggestion is best. Use the action as what writing guides call a 'beat' - such as:
- He grinned. "So how about it, partner?"
- "I'm so tired." She sighed.
- "We did it!" He laughed and threw his arms around her.
- Her smile brightened her entire face. "I love you too, Clark."
'Beats' are useful for breaking up dialogue. They help to avoid the repetitive use of 'said' or the overuse of adjectives, as Pam shows - for example, which is more vivid?
He said angrily, or
He glared at her, eyes cold behind his glasses. "And why should I believe you this time, Lois?"Wendy
