Fantasy Writing: Dialogue Tags

She said: He said
There is a lot of debate about whether to use or not use dialogue tags.
Dialogue without some indication of the speaker is confusing and the common comment is that dialogue without action is boring. As creative writers, we take this on board as we work. Remember 'all things in moderation.'

Drawing your reader into the world you are creating is as easy as using the descriptions you have generated, while extending your ability to show not tell.

Compare these examples.
"You have it all worked out then. To survive I must escape your hunters?"
"You have one chance to leave this world. You can use it how you will."
"This is how you would help me? Gods give me strength. I will stay alive. More than that, I cannot do."
"More than that, we cannot ask."

Add dialogue tags to clear the confusion

"You have it all worked out then." Caleath said. "To survive I must escape your hunters?" He asked.
"You have one chance to leave this world." The old mage said. "You can use it how you will."
"This is how you would help me?" Caleath said. "Gods give me strength. I will stay alive," Caleath sighed. "More than that, I cannot do."

"More than that, we cannot ask."
 

Involve the reader:
"You have it all worked out then." Caleath raked his hands through his hair and peered into the shadows with increasing anguish. "To survive I must escape your hunters." He gestured with raised hands.
"You have one chance to leave this world." Caleath heard the bitterness in the old mage's voice. If he wanted he could almost believe the mage regretted needing to make such an agreement. "You can use it how you will."
"This is how you would help me?" Caleath's voice was no more than a whisper. "Gods give me strength. I will stay alive." He moved to his feet and began pacing like a caged cat. He wanted to shake the old man until his teeth rattled. Instead, he sighed with resignation. "More than that, I cannot do."

"More than that, we cannot ask."

From here we should explore how to involve the reader further, using Point of View as a tool.

From here we should explore how to involve the reader further, using Point of View: