Words are powerful. But some words tend to be weaker than others. Some crawl into your WIP and wreak havoc, tempting you with their flashy outfits and cute shoes, and you think it's okay to give into their lures and include them. Resist!
In my experience, 80% of the time these buggers crop up, you can chop them with no harm done. In fact, it will make your writing crisper! And speaking of "in fact," here's my front-list of overused words and phrases:
in fact
apparently
obviously
suddenly
now
well
hmm/ahh/ohh/(other sound-type words)
actually
surely
so
as (guilty as charged on this one...)
of course
finally
a bit
a little
very
really
I mean
most -ly words (those pesky adverbs)
there is/was/has been, it is/was/has been, and all those other passive-voice type structures. actually, make that any "to be" verbs in general
And I'm sure there are more. Like "I'm sure," for example. And maybe "like." And... Anyone else got some to add to the list?
Seems like...
ReplyDeletei'm printing this and hanging it next to my writing station. looking it over, i think my WIP just became 20 pages shorter. this is a really really useful post:D
ReplyDeletehaha, glad I could help :D and yeah, "seems like" is a good one too...
ReplyDeleteOh, yeah. I totally agree. ;)
ReplyDeleteNew follower!
"as" is my biggest downfall. I love as. "She did [this] as..." and, "They were [something] as..." I love as. Two actions happening simultaneously just require "as." And yet I go back through and re-read and go, "Ugh. Another 'as'." LOL!
ReplyDeleteNice post! :)
I have an "as" addiction... as well >.> heh. also, "just". I love just. way too much.
ReplyDeleteAnd welcome to the new followers! thanks for reading guys :)
Great post, Ellen. "Just" is an evil word. It's insidious, creeping into my writing! Thanks for the list. I'll use it.
ReplyDelete