I tend to fancy myself quite the wily wordsmith. This is why I became a writer. Putting pen to paper comes naturally, as does typing tons of text. In fact, I prefer to create on the computer, fingers flitting furtively across the keys.
That’s a lot of alliteration, no?
If I were to come across a paragraph like the one above, I would most certainly groan. Alliteration quickly loses its charm and becomes a distraction. There’s a fine line between putting a little polish on your prose and heavy-handedly heaping on hideous helpings of hackery.
As with any literary device, a little goes a long way. At times, I find myself using alliteration (and his less-popular cousin assonance) simply to amuse myself. A little wordplay can help me power through a less-than-scintillating project.
But, gimmicky writing will quickly turn off your reader. When a device becomes a distraction it’s time to tone it down. Be sure the focus remains on the story you’re telling, not on the manner in which it’s told.
