Have you found yourself repeating the same word in a sentence or paragraph? Omitting articles like "the" and "a" and some verbs, do you have a habit of duplicating the same word from the sentence before, or including it in the same sentence?
When I begin writing something, many times I repeat myself in a sentence or paragraph. This is where synonyms replace those "weedy" words and thoughts. But those "weeds" seem to grow and multiply right before my eyes! The problem transforms itself into not only repeating words, but repeating thoughts, also. It's like writing legal mumbo-jumbo, where the same thoughts and words are expressed over and over. Wants to make you gag and stop reading the boring material.
If you still find yourself repeatedly employing the same words, try turning the subjects, verbs and objects around in the sentence. Make sure your spell checker is on to catch grammar you might overlook in your quest to write the perfect sentence. Now read the sentence and paragraph aloud a couple of times to hear the effects on the reader.
How do I stop repeatedly repeating words and thoughts?
"Practice makes perfect." How many times have you heard that phrase, and yet we all know it's true. Write, write and then write some more! Practice writing the correct way over and over again. This is what you did in grade school, right? Your homework involved the same types of problems, yet in myriads of forms. In high school, our learning approaches were dwindled down to possibly two or three practices on similar problems, and in college the homework, tests and projects were our only avenues of learning identical thoughts.
Another way to squash those duplicated dribbles is to read good books emphasizing metaphors and similes. Reading novels longtime on bestseller lists or the great classics can grow your writing immensely, as the visual reading connects with your brain and prompts copying the writing forms. Pick genres you enjoy reading to your heart's content rather than ones that are good textbook usage.
Last of all, creative writing is an ambiguous form of writing, and sometimes repeating words IS necessary to buoy a rhythmic effect on your audience. Cage this medium especially when writing for children. Children love the flow of words arranged in a musical or sing-song form, as it guides the child along on a whimsical journey.
If after agonizing over the words and thoughts there is no other recourse but to embellish on the expressions and you do not feel the piece is worthy to wave before a promising editor, then another way to deal with this situation is to put the piece down. Come back to it tomorrow, or the next day. Sometimes just letting the piece go on the wayside and returning to it later springs forth fresher ideas, and a whole new way of looking at it.
In any case, look at the overall picture in which you are trying to convey to the reader and decide for yourself which method to employ. Happy writing to all, Linda
