I've been thinking about repetition and writing alot lately. Mostly since I started reading a book in my print book to be read pile when my kindle went wonkie.
This author (not a new one, and no, I won't point fingers or say names) likes to repeat things. A lot. It's an interesting story and a great premise. I even like the character, even if she's a bit predictable (the only thing that really separated her from most urban fantasy heroines was having a child- then the author swept that away- but that's an annoyance for another blog ;)).
Anyway- what is killing this book for me is repetition. She points out a fact or observation the character has. Then ten pages later, it pops up again...then again a few more pages. That combined with a very "lots of words but getting nowhere" style of writing has made it very difficult to keep reading. I feel like I'm reading in circles just a slight change in location.
So why do writers repeat things?
Repetition can actually be a good tool when used properly to connect the reader with the world or characters. Going back to a favorite haunt for the character, seeing a friend of theirs from time to time, subtly repeating a theme. All of those help to make a cohesive whole world for the reader.
But sometimes writers use it out of laziness or fear. Laziness in that while writing the writer fails to go back and fix repeats that happened while writing the rough draft. Having them in there is understandable- it takes so long to write a book it's easy to forget what you wrote six months ago. But not spotting them in later drafts, or worse, seeing them and you (and the editor) thinking it's ok ain't so good. It's not ok, it's a waste of words and reader time. And boring.
Fear comes from thinking the reader didn't get it the first time. If you tell me what the relationship is between two important characters once- I pretty much got it. The only time it should be brought up is if there is something new to add or something changes. If you want to reinforce something find more creative ways to do it than just repeating what you said 50 pages ago.
So that's my rant about repetition- what about you? Annoyed by it? Deal breaker? Don't really notice?
Totally annoyed by it. Sometimes it is hard for me to ignore that and get back in to the story so then I completely toss the book aside. Repetition can be good, in LIMITED amounts. Readers are not that stupid that they forget what they read just a few pages ago.
ReplyDeleteI hear ya, Jean! I'm getting very close to dumping this book which is sad because it seemed so promising! I don't know which is worse, not trusting your readers, or just being lazy :(.
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Marie- at work can't log into Blogger ;)
What's even worse is when there isn't a few pages between. I hate reading something like this:
ReplyDeleteShe noticed the heat of the day as soon as she stepped outside. "It's hot today isn't it?"
If the character is going to say it you don't have to tell us she thought it first.
OOOO! I hate those, Cyndi! They're a special kind of annoyance, and again- methinks writer/editor laziness. And usually when they start with those- they KEEP doing them!
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Marie- at work can't log into Blogger ;)
Love the new site Marie
ReplyDeleteThank you Kelz! I do too :)
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It really bothers me if it's repetition about feelings and emotions that have been both show and told ad nauseum. I think that breaks the "respect your reader" guideline. I do have a fondness, though, for well-done repetition in language.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely, Carla. When an author has skill and can do it intentionally it is wonderful! On a lesser level, intentionally repeating a line or action for laughs works- but most comedy writers say it's three- three times it's funny- after that just annoying ;).
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Marie- at work can't log into Blogger ;)
Repetition is one of the things I notice in people's work. I agree with Marie that sometimes people are so eager to get a certain point into their story that they put it in every time they sit down to write another segment of their WIP. But it should be weeded out in the edit process. Another repetition problem that drives me batty is repetition of the same words. Her beautiful eyes were enormous. The enormous building was beautiful. An enormous sword hung at his hip, the hilt studded with beautiful stones of different colors. Apparently her eyes, the building and the sword are of similar size and aesthetic quality or the author only knows two descriptive words. Another one is repetition of a character description. Her blue eyes shone in the sunshine...her blue eyes flashed...she batted her blue eyes... her blue eyes boiled with anger. For some reason this happens a lot with eyes. People hardly ever write - she placed her white hand on his white arm, her white fingers softly caressing his white skin. (You could insert black or brown here. Though I suppose that skin color might be important in some stories where there is a difference in color between two characters.)
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Marie
LOL!!! Agreed, Sharon! The word repetition is something that all writers face- we all have favorite words. Mine seem to change from book to book but I was obsessed with Obviously for a while :). And color thing-OMG...I will toss a book when authors OD on that!
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Marie- at work can't log into Blogger ;)
Repetition is annoying. It is poor, or as you say, lazy writing.
ReplyDeleteSharon, you are right about descriptions of eyes being repeated.
Thanks for coming by and commenting, Ana!
DeleteMarie- at work can't log into Blogger ;)