This is the final
chapter of the Write Tight series. I wonder how it will end!
Your Favorite Words
Way back in Life
1.0, my husband gave many conference talks as part of his VP
responsibilities. After doing so for a long while – well practiced
by now – a particular conference offered him a transcript of his
speech. He read it. He discovered that his favorite word was
“actually”, which he used waaaaay more frequently than he
realized.
![](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kpsuD48y33I/VXRzbN0WCOI/AAAAAAAAO_g/jAlYp-BxMpM/s200/totally_awesome_book.gif)
Guess what! You have
favorite words in your writing, too.
![](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dglVjFwySvE/VXRx7STWHWI/AAAAAAAAO_Q/rxuEz-x4XMg/s1600/cocked%2Beyebrow.jpg)
Upon hearing my
scheme he raised his eyebrows.
Apparently, I
thought that was pretty clever. Next thing I knew (as it turned out, I didn't
know), everyone was raising their eyebrows, cocking an eyebrow,
lifting an eyebrow … in surprise or shock or ... whatever!
![](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ujg_ZL0yWlI/VXRy1miw-AI/AAAAAAAAO_Y/QqoO3sAgUg0/s200/medieval-knight-horseback-.jpg)
For example, while
reading a chapter in my writer's group, the author described a fight
scene on horseback. As readers, we were immersed with the action
(swords flashing, opponents dodging), but it all happened with a
“horse” (“he used his horse to dodge the blow”, “The horse
shied from the clatter”). Once that was pointed out, it was trivial
to find synonyms to suit her needs (“steed,” “stallion,”
“mare,” “bay,” and on and on). She just needed fresh eyes.
Given you wrote the
book odds are you won't be aware of your own favorite words, even if
you edit it yourself. Such edits are best done with some poor
unwitting soul you've drafted to read your manuscript. Have them
notice if there are words or phrases you use – and reuse – a
little too often. Once you have such a list, do a global search.
And keep that list
for every book or story you write from then on!
The Write Tight Recap:
The Write Tight Recap:
- Watch the verb "to be"
- Watch for sentences that start with "and" ... like the one above!
- Watch for your favorite mega-used words
These small steps will immediately change the way you write, and all for the better.
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