Have you ever been engrossed in a book or blog and questioned what the word “it,” “this,” “those” or “they” was referring to? Have you ever been annoyed when the author mentions a particular site and wondered where it is located? Did it distract you from the flow of the story? Did you have to go back and re-read a section to find out what they were talking about or have to look up a geographical reference? In general, a reader shouldn’t have to do this.

When an author is specific, they save their reader confusion and frustration. Instead they keep their reader engrossed in their story.

Unless your reference is absolutely, without a doubt clear, use the specific noun or pronoun and replace the – it, this, those or they, and give a general location – state, country, north or south of . . . . . so the reader has at the very least, a general idea of the location.

We all want to write a page-turner. One key to doing so, is to be specific.

Enjoy!