@maryjanegaina: After realizing my characters were gasping and freezing about ten times per page, I finally admitted defeat and went hunting for better ways to describe those reactions. When you’re deep in drafting mode and clinging to the momentum for dear life, you don’t always notice how often you repeat the same phrases. Or, if you’re like me, you notice and decided Future You can deal with it in revisions. Lists like this save me every time I dive into a second draft. I comb through my scenes, look for phrases I’ve overused, and find fresher, more specific ways to say what I actually mean. So save this list for later and stay tuned for more writing tips💚 #BookTok #DarkFantasy #writingadvice #writersoftiktok #queryingauthors

Mary J. Gaina | Fantasy Author

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Friday 12 June 2026 16:00:16 GMT