When writing fiction and dialogue tags, I find myself using the word "said" approximately 1-1.5 times a page (or every 250 words or so), and the word "asked" slightly more. What is (around) the average frequency of the words "said" and "asked" and other common dialogue tags in popular fiction? Is my current rate of said/asked average, below average or above average? Is "said" and "asked" favorable over fancier dialogue tags or should the more elaborate dialogue tags be used more than simple dialogue tags? I realize it all depends on how it's being said and that sometimes elaborate dialogue tags are redundant, but in general what would be recommended?