Too many repetitive words.

1. 60

   Deborah Judgesposted 9 years ago

   I have a page  I'm working on and it's a really in depth conversation between a psychologist and her patient and it's written in third person. I keep having to say" the psychologist said" "the psychologist warned" 'the psychologist told her" how can I get all those extra "psychologists" out of that portion of the page?  I have to have the interaction between her and her client. and I have to keep the main character in third person. Any ideas?

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   1. 69

      AshtonFireflyposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I of course have no read your writing, so I can't be sure of this, but here's a suggestion: I find that when I am reading, simply the paragraphing tells me who is speaking. For example.
      
      She said, "....."
      
      This person said, "...."
      
      followed by:
      
      "....."
      
      "....."
      
      Even if you don't attribute the dialogue to a particular person, the reader will be able to follow simply by the spacing. Of course, in a lengthy dialogue this may be problematic. However, you can intermittently insert a "the psychologist said" or "the patient said" in order to clarify. All this, of course, depends on your style.

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2. 84

   psycheskinnerposted 9 years ago

   If you use the name the client calls the psychologist (Dr Smith, Robert, Dr Bob etc) the repetition will not stick out to readers.

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3. 60

   Deborah Judgesposted 9 years ago

   Ashtonfirefly, great ideas! Thanks so much!

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4. 71

   R.S. Hutchinsonposted 9 years ago

   Having not read it.. here's a stab in the dark...
   
   "My thoughts were interrupted by her squeamish voice, would she ever just shut-up I wonderd? I tried to-"
   
   "As your Dr, I want you to kno-"
   
   "Ugh! Why am i here this lady is going to say I'm nuts. I should just play alo...."
   
   Dr Smith continued, "..i just want you to know that..."
   
   ----
   
   With pulsating eyes, the good dr reflected, "i just want you to know that..."
   
   ----
   
   As if sticking her tongue out at me she dared to speak, "i just want you to know..."
   
   ---
   
   The Dr praised her...
   Reluctantly she opened up, "when i was 12..."
   "I just want you to know..." was the Dr's first lie.
   
   
   I could go on... check out my How to Creative writing series for more tips!

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