There's quite a few, I would think, so consider this part one of an indefinitely continuing series.
Number One: Repetition of the word 'Said'
This is a biggie. Most stories have dialogue. It's certainly a very important factor in life, as we cannot communicate without dialogue with each other in some fashion. It's also important in fiction, because worlds must relate to each other (that is, our world and the "world" of the story) and dialogue is a very easily thing to relate. It's how we see into characters' minds; how they behave toward others; how they interact; how they express; how they live!
As dialogue is so important to us, it makes sense that it becomes a pivotal part of any story, and, consequently, how it is easy to notice minutiae in its use (good or bad).
When you tell a story--say, something that happened at the store earlier--to someone else, you speak in the past tense. Hence, when you compose a story, you write in the past tense. Makes sense. Now, when you describe dialogue from your happening at the store, you use the word 'said' to denote who was speaking. This is okay when you're speaking because you can put different emphasis on the word, change your volume or facial expression to get different meaning or emotion out of that single word 'said'.
However, in writing, it's not so okay. Here's why: it's probably one of the most emotionless words to read to oneself. Now, talking to someone and using it over and over--not really a problem. But when you're reading a book, and the word 'said' keeps popping up after every quotation, you notice. What's worse, when you do it in your own story--other people notice.
None of us want that, do we? No.
This is where the thesaurus really comes in handy. Just look for 'said' or rather, 'say', and look at whatever else it suggests. Of course, since you're a creative writer, other words for 'audibly speaking' that the thesaurus gives you may not quite cut it either.
What do I mean? Take a look below:
"Get away from me!" she said.
"Get away from me!" she shouted.
"Get away from me!" she retched.
'Said' is nothing special. In fact, it seems much too soft for the sentence it's describing. 'Shouted' is a little better, getting louder, more excited... But 'retched'!? Whoa! What have we here? 'Retch' doesn't have anything to do with talking! What does vomiting have to do with talking, or even shouting for that matter?
Normally, nothing.
But attaching it to the end of a quotation like that provides a whole new vision to a woman saying "Get away from me!" doesn't it? Indeed, it changes the whole mind-picture of who is talking! It certainly narrows the field of what could be going on behind such a quote. Why is this so important?
'Said' is pretty unimaginative. I'm not saying that there will be times to use it, because there definitely will! Sometimes, 'said' is necessary. But when it's not, it's time to be creative! Pick words that give more emotion, that specifically describe the character's expression, tone of voice, etc. The reader wants not only to know that there is in fact talking going on, but he wants to be able to hear it himself. The closer you can get to vividly describing what comes out of a character's mouth with a word, the better.
Keep that in mind as you write, and watch out for repetitiveness behind your quotations.
..::WORD OF THE DAY::..
Aplomb - [uh-PLOM]
- noun
1.) imperturbable self-possession, poise or assurance
2.) the perpendicular, or vertical, position
Example: The noblewoman composed herself with such self-confident aplomb that she was perfectly content in congregating with her own sense of royalty.
May your quills always be inspired,
J Cole
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