Writers - I feel a complete bozo asking a grammar question, but...?

I think they're both correct, but I personally use the second one more so because it feels a bit more natural to me, when I speak. I'll do the first one on occasion, but I usually go with number two. Something about saying their name or she/he right after they speak feels better to me. I've seen it both ways and have done it both ways so I don't think its something wrong with any of them. At least... not to me... If it makes a difference, I'm American.