It happens. We all do it. You get a favourite phrase or word and before you know it your MS is full of it. Mine when I first wrote The Arrival were grin, smile, neat and lots others *lol*. Those all being words I tend to use (or things I do) constantly. So how do you avoid ending up with those words that in the long run make your readers grit their teeth in annoyance..
There’s lots of ways! Obviously a thesaurus is helpful but you do want to be careful that your readers don’t need to use the dictionary when reading your work. It can be rather distracting – not that I’m suggesting you can’t use unusual or challenging words but too many and a reader might get frustrated. Another favourite method of mine is to write down lines I think are clever when I’m reading. NOT for direct copying, (plagiarism is EVIL!) But I do find reading how someone else phrases something quite inspiring for my own work. Which is why reading a broad range of genres (even non-fiction) can be so helpful to a writer.
The other thing I do is Google words to see what search results they bring up. Some are VERY blush worthy *lol*, others are completely useless but the odd gem turns up. And then when you’re really stuck there’s an awesome site called Descriptive Words.
All these things also help me when I’m struck with writers block. Surprisingly enough I find reality T.V shows can help too.
So what’s the word or phrase you catch yourself repeating? And how do you work through this?
Take care all!
Nic
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Ms. MacDonald,
thank you for this. Having a boy age ten, I have found it hard to find works of fiction written at his reading level. He has read the whole Harry Potter series, and the chronicals of Narnia. We went to the book store a few weeks ago and there was a very small selection. Using words directed at your target audience is very important. Reading for pleasure, should not feel like taking an english language class. It should be enjoyable and fun.
-SH
I try to id my trouble words early and remember them–and not worry about them when I'm drafting. Then I use Word's "Find" feature to replace about half or more of them 🙂
Hi SH 🙂 my pleasure and I'd recommend Bloated Goat for you and your son to read together. I think you'd find it a hoot 🙂
Hi Rowenna – Oh I love that find feature! Especially when I have a bad habit of following was with an 'ing' word…
"Flesh" … I am never going to write another sex scene with that word in it, I swear!
very thought provoking post! I 'think' i write "strode" too many times, you know instead of walked or strutted. Hate tryingt describe how someone walks but it's a good way to show their feelings without being in their head!