When I read Larissa’s blog tonight, I came across her entry entitled ”Don’t Roll Your Eyes” (yes, I was procrastinating—again), and it got me thinking. She talked about a person who hated reading the phrase “she rolled her eyes”. Said it “conjured up images of two disembodied eyes rolling across the floor”. Anyway, like I said, it got me thinking. Personally, the rolling eyes thing doesn’t bother me, but are there phrases/actions I’ve read in published books that do bother me?

The answer is yes, there are. I just finished a book by a multi multi-published author, who (whom?) I happen to love. And a number of times, she used the phrase she gave [insert action here] (example: she gave an eye roll). I understand the need to change up the way you phrase things in order to keep it interesting, but as I mentioned in my comment to Larissa’s post, I couldn’t help but wonder if she wrapped that eye roll up in pretty foil holographic paper and slapped a bow on top.

And here’s another couple that never bothered me until I read Self-Editing for Fiction Writers: she tossed her head/hair and she dropped her eyes. After reading SEfFW a couple hundred times, when I see these phrases I ask myself “How far did she toss it” and “Did she have to go to the hospital?” in that order.

I’m sure there are other phrases that give me pause, but I’m tired and can’t think of them right now. What phrases do you see in published books that drive you nuts?