Word repetition is something that creeps into ones writing, like it or no. Some writers take the time when theyve done to seek these out and remove them, but more do not. In my mind, many good reads can be ruined by such repetition. Its fair enough when a word or phrase is repeated for emphasis, and its natural that the writers tired eye will miss others. Its incredible how, after a dozen edits, two instances of say, almost, or just can pop up beside each other.
Thankfully, vast improvements can be made by making the effort to excise as many as possible. If one has a list to use on the entire manuscript, things are made easier.
Here then, is my hit list. Be warned: trawling through a novel of 140,000 words for all of these will take you 8 hours or more. But its worth it!
only
just
then
chance
most/almost
soon
few
before
quite
though/ although
of course
at once
at last
however
yet
still
now (tip: to avoid having to look at all instances of know, search for now)
already
And the killer - all words that end in -ly
Curse me as you do it!
