Words That Give You Away

[Bamagan]

When giving any of my drafts an edit, I have learned to be particularly aware of my penchant for using the word 'dimly' too often. I'm constantly describing people as dimly aware of something, or dimly remembering something, and I can't stop myself. Fortunately, that kind of thing is pretty easy to remedy in the modern era. I also have a tendency to (over) use particularly animated tags like howling, growling, or snarling to describe a character's speech or other reactions. Since I'm often writing about fetishes like petplay or anthros that might help sell the image to a certain extent, but more generally, I'd probably be better served by having people yelling, grumbling, or scoffing instead.

What about the rest of you? Any words you like to lean on that might have become part of your style or brand, even if accidentally?

 

[RetroFan]

In stories I have written set in America and England sometimes I have given away my Australian background by using Aussie expressions or slang by mistake, not picking this up until long after the story is posted.

 

[StillStunned]

"Cream", a "dusting of hair", "redhead".

 

[MyBareTorso]

In stories I have written set in America and England sometimes I have given away my Australian background by using Aussie expressions or slang by mistake, not picking this up until long after the story is posted.

Fair dinkum?

 

[Voboy]

I used to be a debater, and a judge once commented that I filled verbal pauses by starting sentences with "clearly." That was around 1997; I've been conscious of it ever since.

 

[Bamagan]

I used to be a debater, and a judge once commented that I filled verbal pauses by starting sentences with "clearly." That was around 1997; I've been conscious of it ever since.

It's not a factor in my writing generally, but when debating, I would say 'on the other hand' so often you'd think I was a millipede or something.

 

[ShelbyDawn57]

I used to be a debater, and a judge once commented that I filled verbal pauses by starting sentences with "clearly." That was around 1997; I've been conscious of it ever since.

But were you a master debater???

 

[Voboy]

But were you a master debater???

Debaters NEVER EVER hear that joke. Lol.

(I was, though).

 

[BarracudaSwordfish]

I just say 'just' just a lot.

Apart from that I just say 'little' a little too often.

Well, just a little bit anyway.

 

[ShelbyDawn57]

Debaters NEVER EVER hear that joke. Lol.

(I was, though).

this is a thread about repetitive activities.

 

[MrPixel]

"Copulate" and "coitus". There are 100 million synonyms and euphemisms for "fuck", and somehow I have to lean on the most technical.

 

[Devinter]

"Cream", a "dusting of hair", "redhead".

Sounds like a disturbing Starbucks order.

 

[Candy_Kane54]

I just love to use the word just in just about every sentence.

 

[RetroFan]

Fair dinkum?

Nothing to this extent, just small mistakes in terminology that I wrote instinctively but didn't pick up when proof-reading.

Mom/Mum is an obvious one. In another story I wrote set in New York a father refers to his kids as 'those bloody kids' which isn't typical for an American. In another American story somebody refers to homosexuals as 'poofters' which isn't commonly used slang in the US. In my most recent story to date which is set in America in the 1950s the female narrator says that she put on her Sunday best frock for church, rather than her Sunday best dress.

 

[ElectricBlue]

It's not a factor in my writing generally, but when debating, I would say 'on the other hand' so often you'd think I was a millipede or something.

That would be, "On the other foot," but imagine all of the debating points!

 

[ElectricBlue]

I have "hair falling to her waist" in possibly too many stories, but there's no way my women are getting a hair cut, just to avoid a trope.

"Cupping her sex like a bird" pops up in a few stories, too.

 

[alohadave]

Sounds like a disturbing Starbucks order.

I don't know about you, but I don't want any kind hair near my coffee flavor sugar drinks.

 

[SimonDoom]

I used to be a debater, and a judge once commented that I filled verbal pauses by starting sentences with "clearly." That was around 1997; I've been conscious of it ever since.

I was a debater, too, in high school, so if you ever catch me using the words "topicality" or "inherency," or arguing that sexual regulations are certain to result in a global thermonuclear war, you can tell I'm giving myself away.

 

[Bramblethorn]

The one I know about is "softly", but it's the ones I don't know about that will no doubt betray me.

"Copulate" and "coitus". There are 100 million synonyms and euphemisms for "fuck", and somehow I have to lean on the most technical.

I for one respect this.

 

[UnquietDreams]

"Laughed." My characters laugh a lot, and often laugh out sentences which would be impossible, or at least uncomfortable, to do. It is a work in progress.

Stylistically, my kisses are usually hot, deep, and/or sweet.

 

[Voboy]

I was a debater, too, in high school, so if you ever catch me using the words "topicality" or "inherency," or arguing that sexual regulations are certain to result in a global thermonuclear war, you can tell I'm giving myself away.

Lol. I did value debate, not policy debate. Parli.

You guys were crazy fast. Spread, baby, spread.

 

[SimonDoom]

Lol. I did value debate, not policy debate. Parli.

You guys were crazy fast. Spread, baby, spread.

I transitioned to Parli later. More fun.

 

[MyBareTorso]

Nothing to this extent, just small mistakes in terminology that I wrote instinctively but didn't pick up when proof-reading.

Mom/Mum is an obvious one. In another story I wrote set in New York a father refers to his kids as 'those bloody kids' which isn't typical for an American. In another American story somebody refers to homosexuals as 'poofters' which isn't commonly used slang in the US. In my most recent story to date which is set in America in the 1950s the female narrator says that she put on her Sunday best frock for church, rather than her Sunday best dress.

Very honest slips, I'm sure they weren't noticed. Always good to see a fellow Aussie here!

 

[Rob_Royale]

I'm afraid I'm a little too attached to my adjectives.
A wolfish grin.
A seductive smile.
A provocative pose.
I like to have my characters emote. I want you to see expressions or hear a sarcastic tone. I have been told that I overdo it a bit, and I'm working on pulling back on it.

 

[AwkwardlySet]

Pussy. My stories are riddled with that word for some reason.