Based on the character's relationship to the speaker:
* Names: The simplest and often best option. Use the character's name. (e.g., "John said...")
* Terms of endearment: (e.g., "Honey," "Sweetheart," "Love," "Darling," etc. – Use cautiously, depending on the relationship.)
* Titles/honorifics: (e.g., "Sir," "Ma'am," "Doctor," "Professor")
* Family terms: (e.g., "Dad," "Brother," "Uncle")
Based on the character's action or role:
* Pronouns referring to a specific action: Instead of "He ran," you could say "The runner sped," or "The man bolted." This is useful when the character's action is more important than their identity at that moment.
* Descriptive phrases: (e.g., "The tall man replied," "The stranger said," "My companion mumbled," "The fellow with the beard scoffed.") This allows you to paint a picture while avoiding "he."
Based on the character's physical attributes (use sparingly to avoid stereotyping):
* Physical descriptions: (e.g., "The man with the scar said...") - Again, use this cautiously and only when relevant to the scene.
Important Considerations:
* Overuse: Avoid using too many substitutes. Overdoing this can make your writing clunky and unnatural.
* Context: The best replacement depends entirely on the context of the sentence and the overall narrative.
* Clarity: Make sure your replacement is clear and unambiguous. The reader should always know who is speaking.
By using a variety of these techniques, you can create more engaging and varied dialogue without relying solely on "he."