Comments on: Writing Ruts

By: Crystal Laine Miller

Crystal Laine Miller — Fri, 21 May 2010 21:49:49 +0000

Dave, we recently became aware of a cougar in our neck of the woods and want the whole cougar removed!

I think all authors have to be aware of “pet phrases” because everyone writing is guilty. I do think Kristin is right–a sharp-eyed editor or even crit partner will help shave those ruts down. I suppose if you are aware of your over usage of certain scenarios or pet phrases, you could go through and highlight them to see how disproportionate they are.

It does make you nervous to think that you are boring your reader (or maybe worse, making them tear out their hair!) over your repetitions.

Help us!

(And I’m really curious as to what you were reading.LOL.)

By: Cat Woods

Cat Woods — Tue, 18 May 2010 21:19:19 +0000

Name dropping. I hate it in real life and reading it gives me the hives. I understand the need for details, but not every detail has to have a price tag to make it count.

Great post.

By: Rachel Zurakowski

Rachel Zurakowski — Tue, 18 May 2010 19:19:15 +0000

Dave, I’m glad to know I can contact you next time I see an ailing cougar.

As Patricia pointed out, a thesaurus is a wonderful tool if you find you’re frequently using the same words.

By: Matthew

Matthew — Tue, 18 May 2010 16:59:13 +0000

Oh, it's really funny when the author doesn't understand that the topic must be interesting but not annoying ) If you have not really much time and need to get a good paper- you may use the professional writing service and buy diisertation without such mistakes)))

By: Dave Ebright

Dave Ebright — Tue, 18 May 2010 01:23:17 +0000

Rats – I thought you were going to ‘splain how to get outta my writing rut! 12 weeks & counting.

Recently read a book that kept jumping into biology lessons. When I finished, I looked inside the back cover to see if I’d earned a degree – or maybe the right to practice as a veterinarian. Need a cougar’s spleen removed? I’m your guy.

By: Sarah Forgrave

Sarah Forgrave — Tue, 18 May 2010 01:08:58 +0000

I’ve noticed pet phrases in a favorite author’s books. Of course, I did decide to read all her books in a one-month time span, so I may have been extra sensitive. If I had spread them out, it probably wouldn’t have jumped out as much.

By: Lucy

Lucy — Mon, 17 May 2010 23:32:54 +0000

That didn’t read right; there should have been a semi-colon in there. I wouldn’t imply that falling in love makes them ugly, LOL.

By: Lucy

Lucy — Mon, 17 May 2010 23:30:06 +0000

Very useful post!

I think my characters must be victims of laryngitis, because they’re always getting choked up.

At least I don’t have to plead guilty to making all the men young, rich, handsome, dark and cynical until they are reformed by the innocent, ethereal beauty who can’t articulate two words in a row. I name no names, but the author is–ahem–well known.

By: patriciazell

patriciazell — Mon, 17 May 2010 22:47:42 +0000

As a writer of non-fiction, my favorite writing tool is my thesaurus because I hate using the same word (unless necessary) than once every 500 words or so. I try to watch out for ruts and keep my writing as lively as possible. Thanks for your encouragement!

By: Kristi Holl

Kristi Holl — Mon, 17 May 2010 22:04:11 +0000

I had a great editor who used to warn me about my ruts. Often she said she felt my characters were on the verge of having coronaries. In re-reading, I was shocked at how often their hearts pounded, hearts hammered, hearts skipped beats, etc. I am still prone to send characters into cardiac arrest, but at least now I know what to weed out.