Words....Blessing and Curse

Writing is a joy, a thrill, a journey, and a craft. At the same time writing is a challenge, a puzzle, a maze, and a source of potential frustration. Why? It boils down to one simple word - words. It is the words we use to express emotion, develop characters, build up settings, and continue the pace and plot from chapter to chapter. Words are magical in their ability to transcend, transform, and transport us from reality to the story. The written word is a beautiful thing.



Unfortunately words are like roses. After the beauty and texture of the petals you get to the thorns. No, words don't have thorns, words are thorns. Some words just don't work well, for example I don't like using the word left. Don't ask me way but every time I write left hand, left turn, or take a left it just feels cumbersome to me. I use it but begrudgingly. I'm sure every writer has a few words in that list. Those words are thorns however, we can more readily avoid those thorns. Its those little thorns that really cause the problems. What are the little words that become the thorns of writers? Let's start with the usual suspects - and, the, but...words of that nature. They become thorns when used in repetition. This is a rather obvious example, we really step in the quick sand when trying to use action words but make the mistake of using the same word. An example of this would be run, walk, or stepped. No, there is nothing wrong with using these words but be careful of the curse. What is the curse?



The curse is falling in the repetitive process of using the same over and over again. How will you know if you are under the curse? Carefully go through your manuscript and pay attention to your word selection. How many times did you use a particular word? Does it sound overused or does it hinder the flow of your story? Is it believable in the usage of that word?



Recently I read a book review for a zombie novel and it wasn't kind. The main expression for the emotions of the protagonist was to "sigh." A few sighs can be agreeable however when the reader begins to anticipate when the writer will use a word such as this...that is a problem. Another major problem is the use of the same word in the same sentence. I was editing my manuscript and somehow, don't ask me how, I managed to have the word 'and' five times in one sentence after editing. Needless to say, that sentence was a rewrite.



The mind is a funny, strange, and wonderful thing. If we become accustomed to using a set of words our minds will switch to autopilot. Before you know it you're using those words all the time and not even notice it. How avoid this, challenge yourself to use synonyms for the words your accustomed too. Use a variety of words when possible. I know, we do that anyway but at times this can be easier said than done.