Today I’m re-running my original Captain Obvious post…
because I’m busy building a 500 piece Lego house 
I just spent the entire weekend having long, contentious arguments with Captain Obvious.
Who is Captain Obvious?
Well, it’s simple really.
Captain Obvious stops by for a visit every time I read a sentence, paragraph, or, regrettably, sometimes even a page, where I’ve told my reader repeat, or unnecessary information that doesn’t move the storyline along.
Here’s a snippet of a recent conversation…
“Hey!” yelled Captain Obvious. “You’ve told them that already!”
“But, no, you don’t understand,” my stammering protests fill the air. “These words—they’re so beautiful, so brilliant; I simply can’t bear to send them away.”
“Loser!” Captain Obvious charged forward with the harsh truth, completely oblivious to my tender fragility. “There’s only so many times you have to tell the reader that people on the Oregon Trail who don’t have water ARE THIRSTY, AND LOOK FOR IT A LOT!”
Regrettably, Captain Obvious is usually right.
Highlight. Delete. Move on.
