Direct speech can be difficult to smoothly navigate when you're writing, but if you're writing a novel or short story, dialogue is almost certainly going to happen at some point. When there is a conversation, the most common thing to do is use 'said' when a person speaks: 'Are you crazy?' said Mary. 'Some of the time,' said John. 'Well,' said Mary, 'I wish you would give me some warning before you do things like that!' 'I'll try,' said John. Then Mary leaned in close and said, 'Oh shucks! I love you anyway!' That's a whole lot of 'said' right