Yesterday, we talked about using habit words and phrases\u2014those comfortable, familiar terms we depend on to move our stories forward. This is not the same as repeating words in your text or stories. Habits phrase might be, \u201che looked over at her and said,\u201d \u201cand then,\u201d (one of the habits I\u2019m trying to break), \u201cshe shook her head back and forth,\u201d \u201che watched her for a moment before speaking,\u201d \u201cshe glanced in his direction,\u201d and so forth. You may not even notice you\u2019re using the same transition words and phrases over and over again, for example, until an editor or proofreader points it out or until you go through your manuscript with a fine-tooth comb. <\/p>\n
Oops, there\u2019s another no-no in writing\u2014using clich\u00e9s, when you should be coming up with fresh words, terms and phrases for your audiences. It\u2019s okay to have your characters use clich\u00e9s, if that\u2019s the way they typically speak.<\/p>\n
Repeating words is another issue. When editing, I often suggest to the author that he find new words to use in place of those he uses over and over again. Instead of saying, \u201cI took my dog to a dog show during the dog days of summer and he had a blast watching the other dogs perform,\u201d how about, \u201cIt was a sultry day in August when I took Ruff, my beagle mix, to a dog show. He had a blast watching all the different breeds perform.\u201d<\/p>\n
Instead of, \u201cI went camping last week. I really enjoy camping. I can relax in camp. I enjoy getting out and hiking, but always look forward to coming back to camp every afternoon,\u201d try, \u201cI\u2019m an avid camper. I went up to Pyramid Lake just last week and pitched my tent. What a great way to relax and enjoy nature.\u201d<\/p>\n
There are many, many things you have to watch for in your writing\u2014the right tense and person, meaningful transitions, that your story flows nicely, grammar, punctuation and more. But, once you\u2019ve put your story or information on paper or in the computer, also be sure to go back and check for those annoying habit words and phrases. While you\u2019re at it, make sure your writing is interesting by expanding your vocabulary within your story or text. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Yesterday, we talked about using habit words and phrases\u2014those comfortable, familiar terms we depend on to move our stories forward. This is not the same as repeating words in your text or stories. Habits phrase might be, \u201che looked over at her and said,\u201d \u201cand then,\u201d (one of the habits I\u2019m trying to break), \u201cshe […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[4],"tags":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t