Dialogue in writing  Dialogue, in fiction, is a verbal exchange between two or more characters. If there is only "one" character talking aloud, it is a monologue. ""This breakfast is making me sick," George said." The "George said" is the identifier. "Said" is the verb most writers use because reader familiarity with "said" prevents it from drawing attention to itself. Although other verbs such as "ask", "shout", or "reply" are acceptable, some identifiers get in the reader's way. For example:  ""Hello," he croaked nervously, "my name's Horace."" ""What's yours?" he asked with as much aplomb as he could muster." another example is: "My name is Peg, what's yours?" I asked. "My name is William, but my friends call me Will," said Will. Stephen King, in his book "", expresses his belief that "said" is the best identifier to use. King recommends reading a novel by Larry McMurtry, who he claims has mastered the art of well-written dialogue. Substitutes are known as "said-bookisms". For example, in the sentence ""What do you mean?" he smiled.", the word "smiled" is a said-bookism.