Good morning fellow bloggys! I thought this morning I’d share a list of words my critique group refers back to for help. These are words you all need to beware of. Our one critter is a professional editor. Her favorite thing to say is “This is what separates a professional writer from an amateur.”
The one thing I’ve noticed about these words when I read them in my own manuscript is they can make your sentences clunky or boring.
Here’s the first list:
as just had that then very with always some over could
would finally suddenly quickly I managed only first met quite
a bit peered placed however therefore
You can run a find on these words, highlight, and rewrite your sentences if need be. EASY-PEASY!
The second list:
saw heard decided noticed remembered realized felt
thought watched
These words are known as filters. If your character is doing any of these words, you can describe what they’re seeing, hearing, etc. EASY-PEASY!
And for the third list:
draped adorned accentuated complimented punctuated
sported secured completed enhanced graced 6 ft frame
These words are your HARLEQUIN words. They’re okay for bodice rippers but not okay for other genres. EASY-PEASY
Also, I’d like to turn your attention to five different bloggy friends’ blogs. I admire their ability to teach in the written word-not an easy task.
The great word teachers are:
Lynda Young @ http://lyndaryoung.blogspot.com/
Annette Gendler @ http://www.annettegendler.com/
Lesley Smith @ http://www.setonhillwriters.blogspot.com/
Silvia Ney @ http://writinginwonderland.blogspot.com/
The Queen of English @ http://queenofenglish.wordpress.com/
To end my post today, I’d like to introduce a new group put on by published and unpublished writers. They’re taking a stand against the evils befalling the self-published and Indie authors.
Power to the Indies!
Those of us who aren’t published yet may consider going this route and we’ll need all the support we can get.
Check out:
Writers of Mass Distraction @ http://writersofmassdistraction.com/
They’re causing chaos in the literary world.
Anybody have any other words to add to the list? Anyone have a favorite teaching blog about writing? Anyone know of any other groups supporting the self-published? Please share.
That’s all for now folks!
Happy blogging, reading, and writing!
Shelly
