Filler words are distracting…not to mention annoying. In speech, they crop up when we don’t know quite how to communicate what we’re trying to say. Filler words crop up in writing for the same reason and have the same effect. Annoying distractions, they muddy the message and communicate almost nothing. Exercise: Look for these common […]
Writing Lesson 2.24 – There’s, um, like, this really important thing you should know
March 4, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Writing Lesson 2.17 – Weasel Phrases
January 14, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Last month I posted about “weasel words”—those unnecessary words that sneak into your manuscript. These weasels have companions that accompany them. Their friends are phrases or words that spoil the ‘show vs. tell’ aspect of your work. I’m talking about words like: thought wondered felt knew saw noticed observed realized noted […]
Writing Lesson 2.16 – Write Better-Read & Review
December 17, 2010 By Leave a Comment
You may have heard it said that good writers are those who read. Chances are you already love reading. Each of us has our own tastes and preferences when it comes to reading. Some love action books, others prefer a sweet romance. And within each book genre there are many flavors, so that one action […]
Writing Lesson 2.1 – Show me a Story
August 27, 2010 By Leave a Comment
“Show, don’t Tell” These words were underlined in my first-ever rejection letter. It was a form letter, but the editor apparently thought this admonition needed special emphasis in my case. At least I could comfort myself that if they were part of his standard rejection letter, it was a common failing. Trouble was, I had […]
Writing Lesson 32 – Let Me Show You How to Show
April 16, 2010 By 1 Comment
“Showing vs. Telling” We’ve written much about this concept of using vivid action, description, and dialogue to show what’s happening in a story rather than simply telling readers about what happens. It would be fitting, perhaps, to “show” you an example. Below is the first paragraph of a scene in my work in progress (wip), […]
