Repetition.
It happens all the time. We tell a story to our friends only to realize (probably as we're just reaching the end) that we've told this story to this same group of people before. It may be a good story, but no one needs to hear it over and over and over again.
I come upon this every time I go through first drafts - whether it's of a novel or a game. I've given the same clue more than once. Sometimes, it's way more than once. What's amusing is oftentimes it's not even that vital a clue - just something that stuck in my head.
But repetition sneaks onto our pages in many guises. I've found I have love affairs with certain words as I'm writing that first draft. This is when the 'search and replace' function gets used. Thank heaven for word-processing functions!
Another mask repetition wears is when you discover your characters tending to react to situations in the same way. There can be a surplus of eyes widening or shoulders shrugging or throat clearing. High nervous laughter can also litter your pages. Be aware. I've found knowing my characters can help avoid this pitfall - if I think about one characters and how he/she would react in character, it's usually unique unto them.
How do you avoid repetition?
Elspeth - I know exactly what you mean! I know exactly, what you mean! ;-)I find myself doing the same thing! I think it's because there are words, scenes, etc. that we are proud of. We return to them because, well, they worked. It's easy to forget that part of the reason they work the first time is that they were new. I try to prevent too much repetition by waiting a day or two at least between writing and revising. I also have wonderful beta readers who are merciless ;-).
ReplyDeleteMargot; *blush* Thanks so much for those kind words! And I completely agree with you (no, not about me- I'm not that vain even though I was an actor) about the necessity for others to read our manuscripts. I'm amazed (and appalled) at what they find even after I feel as if I've gone through my story with a fine-tooth comb.
ReplyDeleteJust today my critique partner sent back a chapter with not one but TWO separate phrases I'd used repeatedly. Sigh. A second set of eyes is priceless.
ReplyDeleteFor some reason, I never seem to find much repetition in my writing. Usually, there's not much that gets repeated. At least, if there is stuff that gets repeated, I don't find it.
ReplyDeleteCarol; I'm so glad to discover I'm not alone in this! It is worthy of many heavy sighs. Wait. That would be repetition, wouldn't it?
ReplyDeleteAlan; You must be very gifted in a gifted sort of way.
I make use of my 'tracking board' to summarize scenes, plot points, and reveals, so I can glance at it to see if I'm covering the same territory more than once. Or twice or seventeen times. Sometimes readers can use a 'refresher' or a 'reminder' -- so it's not repetition, then is it? :-)
ReplyDeleteTerry
Terry's Place
Romance with a Twist--of Mystery
And then there's the other kind of repetition--of words and phrases, which Margie Lawson talked about in her workshop. (which I recapped on my blog last week) Anaphora is a good thing.
ReplyDeleteTerry
Terry's Place
Romance with a Twist--of Mystery
Those repetitious little devils are sneaky. Thanks for the reminder!
ReplyDelete