monstersinthecosmos:

opmsmut:

berlynn-wohl:

worldwithinworld:

When you are writing a story and refer to a character by a physical trait, occupation, age, or any other attribute, rather than that character’s name, you are bringing the reader’s attention to that particular attribute. That can be used quite effectively to help your reader to focus on key details with just a few words. However, if the fact that the character is “the blond,” “the magician,” “the older woman,” etc. is not relevant to that moment in the story, this will only distract the reader from the purpose of the scene. 

If your only reason for referring to a character this way is to avoid using his or her name or a pronoun too much, don’t do it. You’re fixing a problem that actually isn’t one. Just go ahead and use the name or pronoun again. It’ll be good.

Using names or pronouns too much is a NON-PROBLEM – these words are “invisible” to readers. (I mean, you don’t worry about using the word “the” too much, do you?)

I have known many people who will hit the back button if a fic uses too many epithets. On the other hand, I’ve never heard anyone complain, “This author doesn’t refer to the characters by their occupation or hair color NEARLY enough!”

Just say “No” to epithets, kids.

Some advice for the writers in our fandom…

THIS.

THIS.

*SMASHES REBLOG BUTTON*

Seriously like. Overusing random attributes in writing pops off the page at me as much as BAD ADVERBS. I understand the temptation, especially when you’re writing same-sex situations and you need to keep distinguishing who’s who and whose limbs are whose when the pronouns alone can’t, but honestly like, it gets really cheesy really fast and it’s worth combing back over afterwards. Saying the person’s name 1000 times is less obnoxious, in my opinion!

Be careful! Slow down and work over it when you’re done to make sure you don’t do it too much! It’s so uncomfortable to read!