Track Down the Weasel Words

Writing Lessons from the Front #4

by Angela Elwell Hunt

Track Down the Weasel Words, book four in the Writing Lessons from the Front series, provides you with easy to remember strategies for revision and methods of tracking down the little “weasel words” that eat away at your story’s effectiveness. No matter what you’re writing, this little book will improve your finished work.

Genres: Writing, Crafts, Nonfiction

38 pages, Paperback

First published July 2, 2013

About the author

Christy-Award winner Angela Hunt writes for readers who have learned to expect the unexpected in novels from this versatile author. With nearly six million copies of her books sold worldwide, she is the best-selling author of more than 165 works ranging from picture books (The Tale of Three Trees) to novels.

Now that her two children are grown, Angie and her husband live in Florida with Very Big Dogs (a direct result of watching Turner and Hooch and Sandlot too many times). This affinity for mastiffs has not been without its rewards--one of their dogs was featured on Live with Regis and Kelly as the second-largest canine in America. Their dog received this dubious honor after an all-expenses-paid trip to Manhattan for the dog and the Hunts, complete with VIP air travel and a stretch limo in which they toured New York City.

Afterward, the dog gave out pawtographs at the airport.

Angela admits to being fascinated by animals, medicine, psychology, unexplained phenomena, and “just about everything” except sports. Books, she says, have always shaped her life— in the fifth grade she learned how to flirt from reading Gone with the Wind.

Her books have won the coveted Christy Award, several Angel Awards from Excellence in Media, and the Gold and Silver Medallions from Foreword Magazine’s Book of the Year Award. In 2007, her novel The Note was featured as a Christmas movie on the Hallmark channel. Romantic Times Book Club presented her with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006, and American Christian Fiction Writers bestowed the same award in 2019.

In 2006, Angela completed her Master of Biblical Studies in Theology degree and completed her second doctorate in 2015. When she’s not home reading or writing, Angie often travels to teach writing workshops at schools and writers’ conferences. And to talk about her dogs, of course.

Reviews

[Carrie Daws · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series by Angela Hunt. Chock full of great tips and practical hints without any added fluff. Weasel words are tough for all writers as we all have them. Words we overuse without realizing it. Words that add nothing to what we're trying to say. Mrs. Hunt mentions several that we should all look for and advises that we have our editors tell us when they notice others. I've started a list for mine. Thankfully, many of the ones she mentions are already ones I actively look for in my writing.

[Sally Jadlow · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great little book to clean up writing when you put your editor hat on. Angela writes in a clear, concise style without a lot of fluff.

[Courtenay · Rating 2 out of 5]

While the tips are great, this little pamphlet sure could have used some heavy editing. My goodness, I counted at least 12 mistakes in 35 pages.

Beyond that, though, I'll be putting some of these tips into practice on my current writing project, including searching for "it" "was" "were" "up" "down" and "that". I've already done the adverb search for "ly" on another editor's recommendation.

Concise examples were easy to understand. But I'm tempted to follow up with her "if you see any typos, let us know" as this could use a good edit. 4 stars for content, 2 for professionalism.

[Joseph VanBuren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I guess it's appropriate for a book about cutting needless words and tightening up your prose to be so short. On the flip side, a very short book about editing should not have so many typos. Otherwise, this book is pretty good. Nothing I didn't already know as a freelance editor, but some good reminders and helpful examples. I dogeared a few pages for future reference. Recommended for writers in the self-revision stage of a project, especially if it's fiction.

[Carmen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great reminder of how to tighten my manuscripts. Hunt used great examples so the reader can see the difference in bad writing and polished writing.

[Cody Wildman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A tiny little book that has had a huge impact on my writing. If you are a budding writer with dreams of publishing, this book is a must.

[Danielle Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic craft book for those that are looking to find those weasel words!!

[Kathy Brasby · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you write anything, this book can help you remove the weasel words and strengthen what you write. Concise and practical. I'll be referring to it often.

[Darcy Schock]

Easy to read, short and to the point but helpful!

[Kate Mack · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great resource!