I'm doing my first ever attempt at writing fiction and read recently somewhere that it sounds weird to have, for example:

"Where's my shirt?" said Bert.

...because it's like writing "said he", which of course sounds archaic and you should instead put:

"Where's my shirt?" Bert said.

I'm finding I naturally write in the "said Bert" mode but, having dipped into novels by quite a few different authors to see what other people are doing, they all seem to be "Bert said"-ing.

Thoughts?

I often write 'said Bert' after the dialogue - I've heard to argument that you don't say 'said he', but, well, whoever said usage is logical? I wouldn't write, 'said Bert' before the dialogue, mind you.

The thing is, the rhythm of 'said Bert' is different from 'Bert said', so it's actually going to depend on what comes before, and what (if anything) after - what the overall rhythm of the sentence is. Try reading it aloud - that might help you to decide. If it sounds better with 'said Bert', then go for it!

Emma

Thanks, Emma - relieved I'm not the only one "said Bert"-ing!

That's a good tip about reading it out loud - I was going to do that right at the end of the draft but it makes sense to do it on a section just to test out this "said" business.

Just think of RIght Said Fred.

But Bert instead of Fred, obviously.

Right Said Bert.

Have to admit I do it the other way round - Bert said - and haven't had any problems with it.

I guess what feels right in that particular bit of dialogue works.

Depends if it's a novel or short story for a magazine, although having just checked several novels and magazines, they all use the name first - sorry!

Kat

Interesting. I've never really thought about this. Had to check my WIP to see what I do. Since I'm writing first person, it pretty much has to be 'I say' (I generally write in the present tense). When it's another character I seem to vary it according to what sounds right in my head and whether I'm modifying the way they said something or linking it up to some other action.

Toast, i can remember asking a fellow writer this very question, and her reply was that she didn't think about it and had no idea - and now, some space of time later, i have to agree with her. I think it's more a question of 'feel' and the rhythm of the sentence, and as time passes with your writing, you will get a gut instinct for what sounds right, for you. I use a mixture of both.

Sounds like most of us tend to go by feel more than rule...