This is one of my favorite writing lazinesses, from Paul La Farge’s review of the new David Mitchell:
“What follows is a drama that brings to mind the galloping action of James Clavell’s Shogun: it features deception, betrayal, love, theft, war, graphic depictions of midwifery and kidney-stone removal, games of cards, billiards and go, as well as a daring raid on a mountain abbey where unspeakable practices are, well, practiced, to sustain the life of the monks.”
“Practices are, well, practiced.” The way that happens is you write the sentence, realize that you have used the same word as a noun and a verb in quick succession, fail to come up with an alternative in ten or fifteen seconds, and then decided to stick a “well” in there to make it look like an intentional joke. Some people will use “um” instead of “well.” The way you know it’s not an intentional joke is that it’s never been funny when somebody does that.
I know it’s a very minor thing, but it’s also gross to write poorly and then, instead of trying to fix it, trying to disguise your failure as a flash of wit. Just sit for a little bit and a solution will come to you! If it doesn’t, or if you’re really that strapped for time, just let me review the book instead. I have all kinds of time.
