My writing hang up is military uniforms for contemporary fiction. If it is paranormal, sci-fi, another time and place okay, but if you are talking about a Marine and start giving them Army or other attire, I am out! LOL!
I guess that is the Marine deep down inside me waving the flag and pulling me out of the story. For that reason I read few military fiction books by only a select few authors.
I know a lot has to be made up, I write fiction, I get it. However, a little research can go a long way for authenticity.
No earrings in a dude’s ear if he is a Marine unless you have someone chewing his butt for it in another scene! LOL

Who knew uniforms made me crazy?

Loved this blog – great points to make.

My foible? Flame-haired. OMG. What is even remotely feminine or attractive about someone with their head on fire??? It just…. doesn’t work for me (the description, not red hair. Red hair is fine *g*) I will also admit to wildlife and landscape related foibles, particularly in Brit-set books – species of tree you don’t get where the writer has them growing, flowers that don’t flower at that season… but then, my degree’s in wildlife and landscape conservation, and I live in England. I can’t quite help myself…

Although I do like mayonnaise with fries.

Sorry.

Also, I HATE celery. In every form. In anything.

I forgot to add my pet peeve. If the book is set in England, I want it to have British spellings.

Oh, and if there’s the same descriptive word two times in one paragraph… Makes me twitch.
I discovered one in my own print copy and gasped in horror.

So, so true.

Let’s see … (heh). My irrational dislikes include: anyone lifting her chin in defiance, heroines who are described as “spunky,” and the word “nubbin.” The dubious verb “to fist,” as in “fisted her hands” always sounds a little pervy to me and bugs. Oh, and if the only Latino in a given book is the maid, pool boy, gardener, or a gangbanger, I will drop it in my driveway and run it over repeatedly.