Today, I’m going to talk about how to get rid of tired words in your writing. You’ll see plenty of tired words in your rough draft, but by the time you send the final draft to a publisher for consideration, those worn out words need to be eliminated.
Whether you’re a beginning or an experienced writer, it can be easy to fall into the trap of overusing certain words.
Common Tired Words
Some of the most commonly overused words are that, had, however, because, of course, in order to, and after all. Eliminate them whenever possible. How do you know when to delete a word? Try reading the sentence without it. If the meaning doesn’t change, you don’t need the word.
Next, discard worn-out clichés and trite phrases. Think of fresh ways of phrasing old sayings. Take the following clichés and see if you can think of an innovative way of writing each.
Easy come, easy go.
Bittersweet memories.
Also, don’t use the same pet descriptive phrases too often. I read a book once that described everything as spectacular. This became so annoying to me, I almost put the book down before finishing it.
I read another book where all the characters moved from place to place by bounding. Susan bounded into the room, Harry bounded across the courtyard, Betty bounded into the kitchen … you’re already sick of the word, aren’t you? Imagine an entire book like this. Learn more in my post on Tightening Sentences.
New Words
Sometimes a writer will come across a new word that instantly becomes their favorite. Unfortunately, they pass the word on to the reader, and it soon loses its appeal. Be careful to use new, exciting words only once or twice in a book. Unique words go a long way.
Names?
As a fiction writer, it can become confusing when to use he or she and when the character’s name is appropriate. If you use the proper name too often, your book will sound like a first-grade reader. Mary said this. Mary went here. Mary wants that. So you must intersperse she and he in your writing. But you don’t want to overuse these either. A good rule to remember is to use the character’s proper name at least twice per page.
Conjunctions
Use conjunctions properly. Avoid using but, and, for, then, well, etc. to start your sentences. They are called conjunctions because they ‘join’ phrases in a sentence.
Qualifiers
Other words to look out for are just and very. These are two of the most overused words in our everyday language and often find their way into our writing. I recommend deleting every occasion in which you use these words. Eliminate them from your WIP because they are unnecessary and are considered passive (boring) writing. The only time it would be okay to use them would be in dialogue when a specific character is talking, and it is indicative of how that person would typically speak.
First-grade readers are for first graders!
Finally, one of the most notable mistakes is overusing the words would and was. These culprits are the kings of passive writing. I’ve read books that used them many times and what ends up happening is the book begins sounding like that first-grade reader. And even first graders want better reading than this!
She was tired.
He was angry.
Then she was sorry.
He was glad, etc.
To delete the words would and was requires a complete rewrite. In doing so, you will spice up your writing and descriptions, bringing it out of the ordinary and passive into descriptive and active.
Using the examples I just gave, getting rid of was will cause the sentences to sing.
She was tired changes to: Her body ached as she climbed the stairs to her room.
He was angry changes to: John’s eyes shot fire at her and his face contorted into an angry sneer.
Then she was sorry changes to: Sarah knew she’d done wrong, and her heart convicted her.
He was glad, etc. changes to: His huge grin and sparkle in his eyes spoke of his joy.
In each of these examples, the reader gets a more vivid picture of the action taking place. We can feel the emotions behind the scenes.
Eliminate over-used words from your writing, and you’ll be a better writer.
If you need help with this, get in touch with me!
