Comments on: The Power of Repetition http://theeditorsblog.net/2010/07/05/the-power-of-repetition/ Write well. Write often. Edit wisely. Fri, 18 May 2012 19:51:21 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Kat Sheridan http://theeditorsblog.net/2010/07/05/the-power-of-repetition/#comment-116 Kat Sheridan Mon, 12 Jul 2010 12:08:30 +0000 http://theeditorsblog.net/?p=256#comment-116 Excellent article, Beth, and one of the things I'm most guilty of. After so many years of writing instruction manuals, where you have to repeat info in different ways for different learning styles, it's a sad habit I've carried into novel writing. I'm adding "repitition" to my list of things to review on re-writes! Excellent article, Beth, and one of the things I’m most guilty of. After so many years of writing instruction manuals, where you have to repeat info in different ways for different learning styles, it’s a sad habit I’ve carried into novel writing. I’m adding “repitition” to my list of things to review on re-writes!

]]> By: Beth http://theeditorsblog.net/2010/07/05/the-power-of-repetition/#comment-115 Beth Wed, 07 Jul 2010 22:12:28 +0000 http://theeditorsblog.net/?p=256#comment-115 Olivia, I know exactly what you mean about tying the final line to something used earlier in the book. I love to do that myself and I love reading it in novels. Vivian, I wished I'd thought of <i>unparalleled authorial command.</i> Olivia, I know exactly what you mean about tying the final line to something used earlier in the book. I love to do that myself and I love reading it in novels.

Vivian, I wished I’d thought of unparalleled authorial command.

]]> By: Olivia Cunning http://theeditorsblog.net/2010/07/05/the-power-of-repetition/#comment-114 Olivia Cunning Wed, 07 Jul 2010 19:28:58 +0000 http://theeditorsblog.net/?p=256#comment-114 Excellent tips, Beth. It's a challenge to find that perfect mix of repetition and unique. I recently caught where I'd used "of the stage" in FIVE sentences in the same paragraph. Down right annoying, it was, so I rewrote parts of it. I like to repeat something in the novel as the final line of the book. It sort of ties everything together, somehow. At least, I think it does. Excellent tips, Beth. It’s a challenge to find that perfect mix of repetition and unique. I recently caught where I’d used “of the stage” in FIVE sentences in the same paragraph. Down right annoying, it was, so I rewrote parts of it. I like to repeat something in the novel as the final line of the book. It sort of ties everything together, somehow. At least, I think it does.

]]> By: Vivian A http://theeditorsblog.net/2010/07/05/the-power-of-repetition/#comment-113 Vivian A Wed, 07 Jul 2010 17:03:05 +0000 http://theeditorsblog.net/?p=256#comment-113 Repetition of background details is probably one of the most annoying things in a novel. When an author feels the need to relay the same data in the same manner it just implies that I haven't been paying attention. Well, I was, but now that you're going to treat me this way I'll zip through faster because I don't have to worry about missing anything. Repetition for emphasis, as in your example, is a potent rhetoric tool. Used judiciously it gives the writer an unparalleled authorial command. Repetition of background details is probably one of the most annoying things in a novel. When an author feels the need to relay the same data in the same manner it just implies that I haven’t been paying attention. Well, I was, but now that you’re going to treat me this way I’ll zip through faster because I don’t have to worry about missing anything.

Repetition for emphasis, as in your example, is a potent rhetoric tool. Used judiciously it gives the writer an unparalleled authorial command.

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