* Why is 'asked' considered bad? If anything, using 'said' for a question stands out more.
** Because there is not need to specify that the character is asking a question. That's what the question mark is for.
** Using words other that "said" sometimes isn't bad. It just becomes bad when the author tries to avoid the word "said" most of the time.
** I try to rotate words so I my writing doesn't sound as repetitive, and using active verbs allows the dialogue to be more emotive. "Stated" gives a different lean than "said" for instance.