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Do we have to introduce the character's name before using their names in a dialogue tag? I am wondering if we can use the names without saying it's a man or a woman, and then making the characters ...
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Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/q/46790 License name: CC BY-SA 3.0 License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
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Do we have to introduce the character's name before using their names in a dialogue tag? I am wondering if we can use the names without saying it's a man or a woman, and then making the characters introduce themselves and name themselves before using their names in dialogue tags. For example: > "My name is John!" the man said. > > "Happy to meet you!" said Matthew. > > "Likewise!" said John. What are the various approaches for this? And when should you use them?