I
recently started revisions for The Witch Hunter's Bible after having not
read the book in quite some time. This break allowed me some much-needed
perspective, and with this perspective came the realization that I'd really
abused the crap out a few words. Take snort, for example. 33 snorts
in my book. And huff. Over 40 instances of angry/annoyed huffing in a
300ish page book. Which is weird, because I didn't even realize I was
doing it. Also, I don't particularly like either word. But I'm happy
to report that there are now fewer than a handful of huffs and snorts in The
Witch Hunter's Bible. The book is better for it.
Fellow
authors, do you have any clutch words/phrases that you tend to abuse?
On a
related note, I'm off to L.A at this very moment for book research! Also, to initiate Plan Locate and Stalk Ian Somerhalder.
Um, if you catch Ian call me. Love that man.
ReplyDeleteNo Ian for me :( The plan continues though!
DeleteI think Vampire Diaries shoots in Atlanta, so you may've missed him :( Have fun in LA! If you want to spot "stars" (aka D-list celebs), then check out Robertson Blvd -- home to kitson, the Ivy, Beverly Center.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I find myself using 'clenched' about when a character gets nervous. Probably not the best visual!
Haha! Thanks for the tips, Phil! We did pretty good on the celeb front :D
DeleteI've discovered I use 'and' and 'but' to start sentences way to often. But I never notice it while I'm doing it. And I don't understand why not.
ReplyDeleteHaha! I like what you did there. Nice.
DeleteI have my overused words, too. I always catch a million uses of "just" in my edits. I just can't seem to stop myself. It's just a little word, but when you see it in every single sentence, it just gets irritating.
ReplyDeleteI do that too!
DeleteIt used to be "turned" for me. Characters were always spinning around. Now, I'm hyper-aware of the use of "turned" in novels I read or listen to in audiobook form. It makes me pause and wonder, "Is that really necessary?"
ReplyDeleteYup, my characters are always turning on their heels too, lol
DeleteA lot of my work is dialogue heavy, so during dialogue I have my characters do awkward little movements like rubbing their shoulders or shaking their heads. Lots of head shaking going on in my stories.
ReplyDeleteAnd if you find Ian Somerhalder, please share him with the rest of us. Or, at the very least, post pictures. :)
Ha! Like I'd share Ian Somerhalder. He's mine!
DeleteFor sure... I have words that creep a lot in books...but I tend to find it changes in each story. In my recent WIP i noticed I overused 'hand / hands'...:)
ReplyDeleteInteresting!
DeleteHave a great time in L.A. Book research sounds cool!! I might have to set my next book in Machu Picchu so I have an excuse to visit it for book research. :-)
ReplyDeleteOooh I've always wanted to go to Machu Picchu! Good idea, Amaleen *rubs hands together*
DeleteI had to de-freeze my book in the last edit. It was like a game of musical statues in there. EVERYONE was ALWAYS freezing.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I loved a bit of rippling in one version I wrote. Very wavy world my characters lived in : D
I loves me a good ripple too! Ripples ripples everywhere! (which you probably noticed reading my latest round of edits)
DeleteThis is probably going to be a really silly question, but, did you do manual counts of these words or is there a program/way in Microsoft word to have the program do it for you?
ReplyDeleteNo I used the find function under the 'edit' tab on microsoft. And no question is silly! (Except that one about sharing Ian Somerhalder.)
Delete*smacks forehead* I don't know how I completely forgot about the find function!
Delete