A writing dilemma

 So I'm working on my not_primetime  fic and I've run into a problem, which is: I heartily dislike epithets in writing, but everyone is the same gender and it's awkward using names all the time. (And the first draft isn't even finished; but my brain is all: "If we fix this now, it'll be easier to work on later as it will suck less.")

I'm sure the answer is "Compromise on your hatred of epithets, you goofus," but I'm not ready to call total amnesty on it. *ponders*