This one’s inspired by Turkey City Lexicon – A Primer for SF Workshops, which is well worth a read. It breaks down some of the common clichés and pitfalls that can clog up a story—particularly in sci-fi, but honestly? A lot of the advice applies across all genres.
The term I want to focus on today is countersinking.
The name alone makes me grin because I used to do this all the time. A few years ago, a friend and I decided to workshop our earliest writing—partly to track our progress, partly for the sheer hilarity of revisiting our younger, cliché-loving writer brains. We were so earnest. So convinced we were crafting masterpieces. And yet, buried in all that enthusiasm were a lot of beginner pitfalls, including a whole mess of countersinking.
It’s like looking back at old diary entries—you cringe a little, but you also appreciate how far you’ve come.
What Is Countersinking?
Simply put, countersinking is when you show something in dialogue or action, and then immediately explain it unnecessarily.
Here’s a classic example:
❌ “You have to get out of here,” he said, urging her to leave.
See the problem? The dialogue already makes it painfully clear that he’s urging her to leave. The extra explanation is just dead weight.
Here’s how it should read:
✔️ “You have to get out of here,” he said.
Or even tighter:
✔️ “You have to get out of here.”
The added explanation isn’t just redundant—it actively slows down the prose. It takes a sharp, urgent moment and dulls its impact.
Why Do Writers Countersink?
Countersinking happens most often when a writer:
Lacks confidence in the dialogue or action. (They don’t trust the reader to get it.)
Feels the need to reinforce the emotion or intent. (Overexplaining instead of letting the words carry their own weight.)
Is worried about clarity. (But good writing often trusts the reader to infer meaning.)
Is deep in a first draft and hasn’t tightened their prose yet.
Even experienced writers do it—especially in rough drafts. But it’s one of those things that, once you see it, you can’t unsee it.
More Examples of Countersinking (And How to Fix Them)
Emotion Overkill
❌ “I don’t believe you,” she said, her voice filled with disbelief. (We know she doesn’t believe it—the dialogue already told us!)
✔️ “I don’t believe you,” she said. (Cleaner. Direct. No fluff.)
Or even:
✔️ She narrowed her eyes. “I don’t believe you.” (Body language adds more nuance without stating the emotion outright.)
Over-explaining Actions
❌ “That’s incredible!” he exclaimed in excitement. (Exclaimed already implies excitement. No need to say it twice!)
✔️ “That’s incredible!” he exclaimed. (Tighter, better flow.)
Or even:
✔️ “That’s incredible!” (If the exclamation mark does the job, do we even need “he exclaimed”? Probably not.)
Body Language That’s Over-explained
❌ She rolled her eyes in annoyance. (Have you ever rolled your eyes not in annoyance?)
✔️ She rolled her eyes. (The action already conveys the meaning.)
How to Catch Countersinking in Your Own Writing
Do a “Redundancy Pass” in Edits – When you’re editing, specifically look for dialogue tags and action beats that repeat what’s already been said.
Ask Yourself: Does This Sentence Add Anything New? 🤔 – If the explanation doesn’t enhance the moment, it probably needs to go.
Read It Out Loud – Redundant phrases stand out more when spoken. If it sounds clunky or repetitive, tighten it up.
Trust Your Readers – Readers are smarter than we sometimes give them credit for. They’ll pick up on the meaning without the extra spoon-feeding.
The Joy of Killing Countersinks
These days, I’m hyper-aware of countersinking—both in my own writing and in others’. It’s like a sixth sense. When I spot one, I immediately slash it. There’s something deeply satisfying about stripping a sentence down to its cleanest, sharpest form.
Writing pitfalls like these can be frustrating, but they’re also a sign of growth. If you can see them, it means your editing instincts are getting sharper. And if you can fix them? Even better.
Have you spotted countersinking in your own work? Are there other redundant writing habits you’re trying to shake? Let’s talk about it!
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