Tip #111: Don't give the reader that cookie

the last read-through... you’re looking for any passage, sentence or word that causes you to stumble, even in your head voice. It could be an awkward sentence or an unfamiliar word or one that paints a dissonant word picture. Be dispassionate. Be ruthless. If something causes your reader to stop and consider, they may decide to put the book down and make tea. And making tea, they may realize they are hungry and get out a box of macaroni and cheese. And when they look for milk, they realize the carton has passed its expiration date and decide to make a grocery list... If you give a mouse a cookie… Don’t give the reader that cookie, or, er, whatever.

http://novelmatters.blogspot.com/2011/04/5-things-to-consider-before-you-spend.html