How to use Dialogue Tags Effectively

"A Man called Ove", by Fredrick Backman- the writer does a great job of showing active voice and immediacy in his writing.  Fredrick also uses effective dialogue tags that help move the writing so that writers don't have unnatural pauses.

Here are some examples:

 

 

Acknowledging her presence.  "I only want to ask you a few questions..." she tried. 

 "Ask them somewhere else.  I don't want them here." Ove answered, scattering snow about him in a way that made it difficult to tell whether he was shoveling or digging.

This is a great example of how to use ellipses and how to have a character respond while their proceeding to be doing something like shoveling.

 

"Yes, yes.  But I didn't do it on purpose for God's sake," he muttered and wriggled out of her grip.  Parvaneh shook her head.

Using a unique word like "muttered" is better than the dialogue tag, "said," which often over used.

 

 

"Hello?" said the garage door.  "There's no one here!" Ove hissed back.  "But I can hear you!"said the garage door.  

Great idea of giving inanimate objects a voice.  In this novel because Ove, the Main character is a widower and can be seen putzing around his house by himself, the author Fredrick often has his character give inanimate or animals inner thoughts or voice for the character to interact with.

 

A doctor came in and spoke to Ove in an indifferent, clinical voice about the need to "prepare himself for the likelihood of her not waking up again."  

This is a great way of characterizing the doctor and showing and not telling something about the character.