March 14th, 2013
Whenever I’m in editing mode one of the words I cut/prune from my manuscript is “look”. Look isn’t a bad word, but my characters tend to look here and look there. They look all over the place.
Thirteen Words To Replace Look
1. Gawk
2. Ogle – I do love this word!
3. Contemplate
4. Peruse
5. Regard
6. Examine
7. Leer
8. Inspect
9. Peek
10. Observe
11. Study
12. Monitor
13. Glower
Writers, what word/s do you tend to overuse in a manuscript? Readers, does repeated use of the same word throw you out of a story?
March 14th, 2013 at 1:09 am · Link
When writing articles I tend to over use the word, ‘the’.
I don’t think I’ve come across a book in a while where I’ve noticed an over use of words.
March 14th, 2013 at 12:22 pm · Link
The is a hard one since there aren’t many words that can do the trick! Realising we have an overuse problem is half the battle, I think.
March 14th, 2013 at 3:03 am · Link
I watched that list with great interest. I always try not to – definitely NOT – overuse words :-)
March 14th, 2013 at 12:22 pm · Link
LOL – I watch too.
March 14th, 2013 at 4:51 am · Link
A good list! Overusing the same word is problematic. I once edited novels for a publishing house and changing overused words was a speciality. I remember one book used the word “just” over 600 times in 210 pages. There was “just” falling over the place …
March 14th, 2013 at 12:23 pm · Link
Just is often filler, and at least it’s an easy fix. Delete. That’s an awful lot for one book!
March 14th, 2013 at 5:53 am · Link
Love the list. I’m terrible about overusing the word “look”. Glimpse and glance are good replacements too. Happy Thursday! :)
March 14th, 2013 at 12:24 pm · Link
Nodding. I glance and glimpse too.
March 14th, 2013 at 6:56 am · Link
Yep, lots of better, more specific words for look.
Thanks.
http://www.miaceleste.com/?p=227
March 14th, 2013 at 12:24 pm · Link
True. I wish I remembered this during the first draft. It would make life much easier!
March 14th, 2013 at 9:01 am · Link
My earlier manuscripts used to have a lot of ‘desperate’ emotions/glances, etc. Hopefully, not so much anymore.
March 14th, 2013 at 12:25 pm · Link
We learn as we go, and usually replace one bad habit with another!
March 14th, 2013 at 9:41 am · Link
What, no stare? No squint?
Har-rumph.
I guess I can’t complain; no T13 from me this week…
March 14th, 2013 at 12:25 pm · Link
Squinting and staring work for me :)
March 14th, 2013 at 10:00 am · Link
Shelley, I love the word “ogle” too–it’s just so fun to say!
I have a bad habit of doing this in my drafts too :)
March 14th, 2013 at 12:26 pm · Link
It has a nice hard sound to it. Some words are plain cool. Length doesn’t matter :)
March 14th, 2013 at 12:12 pm · Link
Great list to scan. Repeated words can be distracting, depending on context, how often they are used, and how close together. Happy Pi(e) Day
March 14th, 2013 at 12:27 pm · Link
I had to run right over and check out your pies!
March 14th, 2013 at 2:21 pm · Link
I’ll remember those when I do my crossword puzzles
March 14th, 2013 at 5:34 pm · Link
I “glared” at the list lol!!
I tend to overuse the word “as”, like doing so and so as blah blah lol!
March 15th, 2013 at 7:26 am · Link
Ogle and glower are my favorites.
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