Dear Authors, please stop using this word.... #LiteraryPetPeeves

Let me start by saying I am definetely a humble reader and I am not terrible picky. I do my best to finish any chosen literary work I pick up. Needless to say, I sometimes come across verbs used by authors that make me stop and say aloud..."really?" So I would like to unveil in my humble opinion the most heinous word that YA authors wield in their works Are you ready?......



"Clucked"

Ahh...did you just hear glass shattering? My face usually does a visual cringe when authors use this verb on characters responses. For example..."she clucked in response...." or "she clucked her tongue..." What is that?

Dear authors, please stop using this word. It is not trendy, it is terrible. When you use this word it immediately produces an image of a chicken for the reader. How can one not think of a chicken and then immediately get up and go to the fridge for a snack.

Let's also think about this physiologically. How can one said human "cluck" their tongue? People do not go around making sounds like chickens. Do us all a favor and please provide a substitute. Now I am a big fan and avid reader of many YA series...but this is my biggest pet peeve. I can definitely relate to a nicely written eye roll or a muttering under breath from characters. These I can work with--but please refrain from animal noises out of the mouth. What are your biggest literary pet peeves? Share in the comment section below!