Do you ever get bored using the word "said" over and over again? I do.
Personally, I prefer using descriptive speech tags. Below is a list I composed of all the descriptive Speech Tags I could think of, or that I have come across while reading. Did I miss any? Feel free to print this out and use it for your personal reference. They are all used here in the PAST TENSE.

said
asked
inquired
questioned
questioned (him/her)
replied
declared
stated
answered
answered (him/her)
exclaimed
explained
expressed
hissed
retorted
snapped
shouted
yelled
demanded
persisted
informed
volunteered
pointed out
noted
cried
teased
boasted
gloated
barked
quipped
swore
promised
remembered
screamed
countered
shot back
spat
squealed
wailed
sobbed
called
introduced
sang
chorused
screeched
whispered
breathed
gasped
sighed
agreed
laughed
giggled
chortled
offered
suggested
remarked
commented
argued
protested
begged
urged
lectured
preached
emphasized
whined
thought
wondered
mumbled
muttered
moaned
groaned
sniffed
blurted
ejaculated
stammered
stuttered
began
finished
concluded
added
chimed in
grinned
smiled
diagnosed
nodded
scoffed
admitted
told (him/her)
shrugged
cut in
assured
reassured
squawked
went on
continued
greeted
chuckled
interrupted
yawned
thanked
claimed
joked
mused
repeated
pleaded
mentioned
beamed
bragged
guessed
read
corrected
vowed
recalled
decided
reminded
revealed
blamed
apologized
gulped
lied
bluffed
fibbed
presented
started
anticipated
snorted
growled
roared
taunted
recited
insured
chirped
took over
murmured
observed
joined in
broke in
recognized
echoed
mimicked
copied
implied
pursued
forgave
reprimanded
insisted
bellowed
commanded
ordered
considered
counted
babbled
accepted
shushed
stormed
shrilled
put in
suspected
warned
complimented
cooed
gave in
listed
choked
coughed
sneezed
snivelled
soothed
admired
indicated
panted
defended
declined
challenged
chanted
ventured
queried
exploded
kidded
sneered
requested
supported
objected
slurped
reported
lamented
huffed
howled
yelped
praised
prompted
advised
pronounced
hinted
confirmed
proposed
refused
recommended
incouraged
supported
pledged
guaranteed
denoted
professed
acknowledged
exhorted
pursuaded
hollered
opposed
resisted
provoked
punctuated
uttered
articulated
opted
selected
denied
snickered
cajoled
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By Sailor Swiftheart