As I am going through and nit picking my latest--I am finding some irritating things about the way that I write.
I over use some words. Mostly the word that--as a filler and the word just in the same way, just sitting, just looking, just eating just just just--yikes.
The same with that. I am having to go through and reread every sentence that contains the word THAT to see if it is truly needed.
Anyone else have the problem of over using a "pet" word or two?
Shawn
Posted by JP Carney (Member # 894) on :
Heh, 'that' is certianly one of them. So is using semicolons. Though I have to say, having a wife who's an editor has broken me of the 'that' syndrome over the years. Funny, trying my hand at flash fiction really showed me the words and phrases I over use. It's amazing what becomes essential and what does not.
Posted by rainsong (Member # 430) on :
I'm very fond of weaving action into dialogue. Said bookisms used to be my main problem, but *shrugging* and *sighing* seem to be the main thing now.
Posted by Lizzie (Member # 957) on :
I find that I am unable to see what I overuse in my own writing. Yet, I can pick it out instantly in the writing of others. I am sure that Shawn and JP would be able to tell me when I overuse "that" and "just," or whatever. My fatal flaw is the passive voice. "She was given the talent." I have to learn to let my characters be more assertive. But don't think I won't point out your misuse of the passive voice! I will nail you to the wall. Go figure. Liz
Posted by TheUbiquitousMrLovegrove (Member # 390) on :
I'm pretty careful about using just, but I was a "That" junkie for the longest time. I've weenie myself off of it enough to kill it revisions.
"was" and "had" are hard ones to get rid of also. But they gotta go too.
Posted by srhowen (Member # 462) on :
Yup--my next time through I am doing the was and had throw out. Check each instance and see if I can replace them with something else.
(though sometimes it is just a form of to be and stays)
Shawn
Posted by rainsong (Member # 430) on :
I used to be a terse writer; I hate description, and I get more plot in a set number of words than most people. Until I start worrying about word count. Now I have to keep myself from slipping buts, justs and hads in just to increase the word count. Posted by cupcakencorset (Member # 983) on :
Have to watch adverbs. So I do a search of my document for "ly," which hits most of the adverbs. Then I see if I should delete the adverb or find a better verb so the adverb is no longer necessary.
And my boss (former newspaper editor) hates "that." She taught me to delete the sucker every time I can!
Posted by srhowen (Member # 462) on :
Ok, now I am going ot search the ly's as well. I know I do that one--but sometimes it's an ly or, a was, or had, worse yet an, as he/she/it.
Sometimes I think the story needs to be written and left alone!
