The most annoying writing convention in the world is, well, well.

I see more crafterbation and gratification of ever-needy CJ, on that link.
Not much on editing.

 

Ok.

 

"Well" is not only an annoying writing convention, it is equally bad as a verbal tic. You get certain players and coaches who start 90% of their answers with "Well," and once you notice, it drives you insane. I know that it gives them a chance to think before answering, but they can't stop.

"Coach, is Billy Bob going to be ready for Saturday's big game against Crosstown High?" "Well ... no, he's dead." "Oh my! What was the cause of death?" "Well ... I think you can say it was an upper-body injury. Well, actually ... well ... I guess they can't game plan for him, so, well, the fact is that his head came off during that big hit last week."

 

He had believed "well" was the most annoying writing convention in the world but would change his mind after another was brought to his attention later.

 

Reformer story today: http://www.reformer.com/ci_23900865/gilbert-flag-stolen-from-memorial-possibly-burned

 

Writing conventions. Not verbatim quotes.

People talk like that, and you can't avoid it.
So it's one reason you avoid writing that way.

 

And piss can be, well, liquid gold!

(Cool article)

http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/science/2013/08/from-gunpowder-to-teeth-whitener-the-science-behind-historic-uses-of-urine/

 

As mentioned on another thread, splitting quotes for added effect is another annoying writing convention.

"That," I said, "bugs me to no end."

Don't pause a quote unless the speaker pauses the quote.

 

My quibble with Pearlman's Bell story is about that -- he split too many short quotes in the top half of the story.