Smiled is not a speech tag.  Neither is nodded.

It is if the author chooses it to be. It's a stylistic thing.

You are wrong in your criticism of Thermopyle here Lurker.  It is true, he 
can use it stylisticially, but Therm is absolutely correct in pointing it 
out as being wrong regardless.  It's similar to how EE Cummings would 
specifically break with stuff to produce an effect.  It's still technically 
wrong and fair ground to point out as grammatically incorrect.  Smiled is 
not a speech tag.  Neither is nodded.  Perhaps the author is using it for a 
stylistic effect, but more likely the author is simply using an erroneous 
convention that is often propogated by fanfiction writers who don't know 
better.

To put it simply:
"Heya," smiled the writer.  : This is grammatically incorrect, but 
stylically acceptable.
"Heya." The writer smiled.  : This is grammatically acceptable and 
stylistically acceptable, though still not very good to use.
"Heya," said the author.  The author smiled. : This is grammatically 
accurate but stylistically poor.
"Heya," the author said while smiling.  : This is grammatically accurate and 
stylistically acceptable.

To put it frankly, there's nothing wrong with indicating that a usage of 
something is grammatically incorrect.  The author may be using it 
stylistically, but if so he can answer simply for himself saying that it's 
being used for a stylistic effect.  If he isn't, then the most benefit is 
achieved in that he knows something he didn't before.

Dracos

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