People Are Sharing Things Authors Do In Books That Distract Them, And I Agree With All Of Them

Writing is tough, but some things are just deal breakers for readers.

I read a lot, and with great power comes...the ability to notice annoying things in writing. Because of this, there are things authors do in books that really just ruin the vibe for me — and apparently other readers, too.

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I compiled a list of excellent examples from Reddit that I agree with, but I NEED to add my own: I HATE when an author uses the word "chuckled" too much. I'm looking at you, Stephenie Meyer. There has to be another word for laughing that isn't "chuckled," I said, chuckling. (It also just reminds me of Goofy's "ah-hyuck" every time I see it.)

1. Here are the other most distracting things authors do:

Comment from discussion neoplasticgrowth's comment from discussion "What's a thing author tend to write that always break your immersion or make you cringe a bit?".

Not to mention...I hate hearing my name out loud. Is that weird?

2. I'm looking at you, Carrie Bradshaw.

Comment from discussion lawyeronreddit's comment from discussion "What's a thing author tend to write that always break your immersion or make you cringe a bit?".

3. I can't stop picturing a character hitting whistle notes in surprise. 

Comment from discussion fauxbourdon's comment from discussion "What's a thing author tend to write that always break your immersion or make you cringe a bit?".

4. This is almost as bad as "chuckled."

Comment from discussion kengeandcarboy's comment from discussion "What's a thing author tend to write that always break your immersion or make you cringe a bit?".

5. "No one ever notices me...but you did, hot, handsome guy."

Comment from discussion solamelus's comment from discussion "What's a thing author tend to write that always break your immersion or make you cringe a bit?".

6. "Then he yeeted the ring into Mordor."

Comment from discussion 0zymandeus's comment from discussion "What's a thing author tend to write that always break your immersion or make you cringe a bit?".

7. Why have I never noticed this? Has anyone else?!

Comment from discussion Bri-guy15's comment from discussion "What's a thing author tend to write that always break your immersion or make you cringe a bit?".

8. Ah yes, the ol' "You had the power in you all along" bit.

Comment from discussion calculuschild's comment from discussion "What's a thing author tend to write that always break your immersion or make you cringe a bit?".

9. I can't be the only one who skims through these parts in the books. I don't have time for your thoughts. 

Comment from discussion catalinx's comment from discussion "What's a thing author tend to write that always break your immersion or make you cringe a bit?".

10. Mmm, buttery. 

Comment from discussion spoooky_mama's comment from discussion "What's a thing author tend to write that always break your immersion or make you cringe a bit?".

11. I recently read a book with so many typos, I couldn't continue reading it. Edit your work, folks!

Comment from discussion TheWyldTyger's comment from discussion "What's a thing author tend to write that always break your immersion or make you cringe a bit?".

12. "Kelsier raised his eyebrow maladroitly."

Comment from discussion spinny456's comment from discussion "What's a thing author tend to write that always break your immersion or make you cringe a bit?".

13. Let's try to be a bit more realistic in books, please.

Comment from discussion kellimarissa's comment from discussion "What's a thing author tend to write that always break your immersion or make you cringe a bit?".

14. A single tear rolled down my cheek reading this comment. 

Comment from discussion DasHaifisch's comment from discussion "What's a thing author tend to write that always break your immersion or make you cringe a bit?".

15. When your entire character's personality is based on this, maybe try something new. 

Comment from discussion MisterSnippy's comment from discussion "What's a thing author tend to write that always break your immersion or make you cringe a bit?".

16. This sounds more like a projected fantasy by the author, hmm.

Comment from discussion Thinkingard's comment from discussion "What's a thing author tend to write that always break your immersion or make you cringe a bit?".

17. Ahem...X Æ A-12.

Comment from discussion CrispyWT's comment from discussion "What's a thing author tend to write that always break your immersion or make you cringe a bit?".

18. Ugh, I know it's the author's way of describing something for the reader, but there has to be another, more natural way.

Comment from discussion kuluka_man's comment from discussion "What's a thing author tend to write that always break your immersion or make you cringe a bit?".

19. It's weird if it's a first-person story, but I think third-person would be fine!

Comment from discussion Ghostwoods's comment from discussion "What's a thing author tend to write that always break your immersion or make you cringe a bit?".

20. Forever baring my teeth when I'm angry. 

Comment from discussion SKEFL's comment from discussion "What's a thing author tend to write that always break your immersion or make you cringe a bit?".

21. Suddenly, I have a secret hidden skill that will help me in this exact situation!

Comment from discussion Lost_Coast_Tech's comment from discussion "What's a thing author tend to write that always break your immersion or make you cringe a bit?".

22. It's the stinky eye, for me.

Comment from discussion James-Sylar's comment from discussion "What's a thing author tend to write that always break your immersion or make you cringe a bit?".

23. Me, but with my crippling anxiety.

Comment from discussion brokenechoo's comment from discussion "What's a thing author tend to write that always break your immersion or make you cringe a bit?".

24. As a bilingual, I have literally never done this.

Comment from discussion Doctor_Expendable's comment from discussion "What's a thing author tend to write that always break your immersion or make you cringe a bit?".

25. I read this comment to perfection. Flips hair

Comment from discussion Lilredh4iredgrl's comment from discussion "What's a thing author tend to write that always break your immersion or make you cringe a bit?".

26. Sounds a lot like lazy writing. 

Comment from discussion RoidbergPhD's comment from discussion "What's a thing author tend to write that always break your immersion or make you cringe a bit?".

27. "Blimey, guv'nor, eets a reel pain in ze neck tryan to reed tings phonetical like."

Comment from discussion hexjunki's comment from discussion "What's a thing author tend to write that always break your immersion or make you cringe a bit?".

28. I. HATE. THIS. SO. MUCH.

Comment from discussion HamsterCockSock's comment from discussion "What's a thing author tend to write that always break your immersion or make you cringe a bit?".

29. It's Stephanie, not Stephanie!

Comment from discussion doxamully's comment from discussion "What's a thing author tend to write that always break your immersion or make you cringe a bit?".

30. There has to be another way to make this more natural. 

Comment from discussion amzies20's comment from discussion "What's a thing author tend to write that always break your immersion or make you cringe a bit?".

31. Too many questions, not enough answers.

Comment from discussion GenevieveLeah's comment from discussion "What's a thing author tend to write that always break your immersion or make you cringe a bit?".

32. I don't think I have ever called my siblings "bro" or "sis." I have, however, called them stinky.

Comment from discussion aks100's comment from discussion "What's a thing author tend to write that always break your immersion or make you cringe a bit?".

33. This comment piqued my anger too.

Comment from discussion FridaysMan's comment from discussion "What's a thing author tend to write that always break your immersion or make you cringe a bit?".

34. As someone with curly hair, I have literally never brushed it.

Comment from discussion ariaxwest's comment from discussion "What's a thing author tend to write that always break your immersion or make you cringe a bit?".

35. Immediately skims through it

Comment from discussion clausport's comment from discussion "What's a thing author tend to write that always break your immersion or make you cringe a bit?".

36. Overly described scenes immediately distract me from the story.

Comment from discussion Breakingcontrollers's comment from discussion "What's a thing author tend to write that always break your immersion or make you cringe a bit?".

37. 🎵 And I think to myself, what a wonderful world. 🎵 

Comment from discussion stopcounting's comment from discussion "What's a thing author tend to write that always break your immersion or make you cringe a bit?".

38. This would be so confusing to me.

Comment from discussion BrandNewNotebook's comment from discussion "What's a thing author tend to write that always break your immersion or make you cringe a bit?".

39. How else would you describe a connection?

Comment from discussion perkornah's comment from discussion "What's a thing author tend to write that always break your immersion or make you cringe a bit?".

40. I laughed impossibly loud at this comment.

Comment from discussion arfur_narmful's comment from discussion "What's a thing author tend to write that always break your immersion or make you cringe a bit?".

41. Make it make sense, authors!

Comment from discussion aimfinished's comment from discussion "What's a thing author tend to write that always break your immersion or make you cringe a bit?".

42. Ugh, I cringed so hard at the thought.

Comment from discussion serenavanderslut's comment from discussion "What's a thing author tend to write that always break your immersion or make you cringe a bit?".

43. Unless your character is an angsty teen, they probably don't need to roll their eyes so much.

Comment from discussion semihippy's comment from discussion "What's a thing author tend to write that always break your immersion or make you cringe a bit?".

44. Honestly, all my looks say I'm hungry and tired.

Comment from discussion Spyk124's comment from discussion "What's a thing author tend to write that always break your immersion or make you cringe a bit?".

45. Dreams are useless to me, especially considering that my actual dreams are about me being a guinea pig running around in a forest.

Comment from discussion friedtea15's comment from discussion "What's a thing author tend to write that always break your immersion or make you cringe a bit?".

46. Bob must be trying to communicate with cats, okay?

Comment from discussion crock_pot's comment from discussion "What's a thing author tend to write that always break your immersion or make you cringe a bit?".

47. I'd do this too if I were an author, tbh.

Comment from discussion Johnny1of3's comment from discussion "What's a thing author tend to write that always break your immersion or make you cringe a bit?".

48. SO accurate. I don't need to know that you know who the Kardashians are.

Comment from discussion VictoriaFree's comment from discussion "What's a thing author tend to write that always break your immersion or make you cringe a bit?".

49. Just tried this; didn't work.

Comment from discussion willwontwork's comment from discussion "What's a thing author tend to write that always break your immersion or make you cringe a bit?".

50. "Chuckled." That's all.

Comment from discussion borrow_a_feeling's comment from discussion "What's a thing author tend to write that always break your immersion or make you cringe a bit?".

What is something an author does that bothers you? Let us know in the comments!