We all have them – the list of words that we use too much, the ones that agents and seasoned authors tell us to use sparingly. I call it my kill list. I don’t worry about them my first run through; simply write the manuscript however it flows. It isn’t until the third or forth read through, when I am happy with the content and ready to tweak the grammar, that I employ my kill list. Even in final form, you will find a splattering of these words in my manuscripts -- I don't delete them all, just make an effort not use them as useless fillers. Here is my kill List. Have I forgotten any?
That
Had
And
Really
Very
Little
Then
Than
Just (This on is my favorite and my most common offender!)
About
So
But
Like
Oh my, JUST. That's my number one right there. Probably with "so" as a close second...
ReplyDeleteYup. My writing buddies and I are constantly deleting those words from each other's manuscripts. It's like when we type them they become invisible to us but they are typed in blinking neon to everyone else.
ReplyDeletemy most recent one is 'though' and I suffered from some over 'well' use for a while. But yup, that list looks pretty accurate to me ^_^
ReplyDeleteWELL! That's mine...and probably just. You've read my WIP. I'm sure you can point out a few that I've missed.
ReplyDeletethanks Loralie -- adding though to my list now!
ReplyDelete"JUST" is def one of my fall back words.
ReplyDeleteOh yeah... I use "just" so much ... I just wish I had a dollar for every one I trim out with revisions. That would suit me just fine. lol
ReplyDeleteDon't forget 'felt' 'and 'it was'! Man, I signed up for this online editing program and stopped using it because it told me I had 23 too many 'it was's' in one chapter. How dare it? LOL
ReplyDeleteGood list to have. As soon as I finish my first draft I will use it to fine tune.
ReplyDeleteMichael