Dialogue tags can make or break your romantic comedy novel.

For those of you who might not know, dialogue tags are the little bits of text that tell us who’s speaking. For example: “Hey,” she said. Or, “I love you,” he whispered.

When it comes to romantic comedies, getting your dialogue tags right is crucial.

So, here are some of the do’s and don’ts of using dialogue tags in your writing!

Do’s:

Use tags to show character: Your dialogue tags should reveal something about the speaker’s personality, tone, or mood. For example, if your character is sassy, you might use a tag like, “Sass me once, shame on you,” she quipped.

Vary your tags: Using the same tag over and over can get boring. Mix it up with different words and phrases, like “said,” “explained,” “yelled,” “whispered,” and so on.

Make them fit the tone: The tone of your dialogue tags should match the tone of the scene. If the scene is lighthearted, your tags should be lighthearted too.

Keep them simple: There’s no need to get fancy with your dialogue tags. A simple “he said” or “she said” is often all you need.

Don’ts:

Overuse tags: Too many tags can break up the flow of your dialogue and pull the reader out of the scene. Use them sparingly, only when necessary.

Use tags to describe actions: Your dialogue should be enough to show what’s going on, without the need for additional description. For example, instead of saying “He said, tossing his hair,” simply say, “He tossed his hair.”

Use adverb-filled tags: Adverb-filled tags, like “she said nervously,” can come across as awkward and amateurish. Let your dialogue and character actions show their emotions and moods.

Make them intrusive: Your dialogue tags should be as invisible as possible, allowing the dialogue to speak for itself.

Dialogue tags are a crucial element of romantic comedy writing, and getting them right can make a big difference in how your characters and scenes are perceived by readers.

Keep your tags simple, varied, and fitting to the tone, and avoid overuse, intrusive tags, and adverb-filled tags.

Happy writing!