Opinions, B&A writers? Or whoever happens to be in the section at this particular time?

You've got the same problem I've had in the past. Describing how someone says something... Whether it's Firmly, Pleadingly, Nervously, or a verbiage, like Laughed or Grinned or Smiled. There are a few basic rules that you have to follow, and another rule is that you have to let the situation going on describe how the character is saying something. You've got the talent and ability, but you really need to practice a whole lot more and not tag so many descriptors.