10 WEAK WORDS You Should CUT from Your Novel
TLDRThe video script is an engaging discussion on the art of editing and enhancing one's writing by identifying and addressing weak words that can dilute the impact of a story. The speaker, Abbi, delves into the top ten 'weakest' words that authors should consider removing from their novels to strengthen their prose. She provides examples from her own writing to illustrate when to cut these words and when they might be justified. The words discussed include 'suddenly,' 'then,' 'very,' 'really,' 'was,' 'started,' 'just,' 'somewhat,' 'somehow,' 'seem,' and 'definitely.' Abbi also touches on the overuse of adverbs and how they can contribute to passive voice, offering advice on converting adverbs to verbs for more active and engaging storytelling. The script emphasizes the importance of editing smartly, not just ruthlessly cutting words, and encourages authors to consider the context and character voice in their writing.
Takeaways
- 📚 **Cutting Weak Words**: The importance of removing unnecessary words to strengthen prose and make the story more impactful.
- ✂️ **Selective Editing**: Not all weak words should be deleted; sometimes they serve a purpose in dialogue or specific narrative contexts.
- 🚫 **'Suddenly' Usage**: Use 'suddenly' sparingly to maintain the element of surprise and only when the event is genuinely sudden.
- 🔄 **Filler Words**: Avoid using 'then' as a filler; it's often unnecessary and can be omitted without affecting the sentence's flow.
- 💪 **Strong Descriptors**: Replace 'very' or 'really' with more powerful and specific words to enhance descriptions.
- 🚫 **Passive Voice**: Active voice is generally more engaging; avoid using 'is', 'was', and similar forms that lead to passive constructions.
- 🏃 **Starting Actions**: Instead of saying 'start to', engage the reader with immediate actions to maintain the narrative's pace.
- 🚫 **Overuse of 'Just'**: Use 'just' judiciously; it's often redundant and can be omitted without losing meaning.
- ➡️ **'Somewhat' and 'Slightly'**: These words can weaken sentences, so opt for more precise language unless they accurately convey nuance.
- 🤔 **'Somehow'**: Implies missing information; use it only when a character genuinely lacks understanding or context.
- 🤨 **'Seem'**: Often indicates a lack of action; replace it with descriptive language that shows rather than tells.
- 🚫 **'Definitely'**: Can be redundant; reserve it for when a character's certainty contrasts with previous doubt.
- 📉 **Adverbs**: While not all adverbs are bad, be cautious of overusing them as they can lead to passive voice and weaken prose.
Q & A
What is the main focus of the video?
-The video focuses on identifying and discussing the ten weakest words that authors should consider removing from their novels to improve the strength of their prose.
Why is it important to be cautious with the use of 'suddenly' in writing?
-The word 'suddenly' should be used sparingly because overusing it can diminish the element of surprise in a story, similar to the 'boy who cried wolf' effect.
What is the issue with using 'then' as a connector in sentences?
-'Then' is often unnecessary as it is a filler word that doesn't add value to the sentence, assuming a cause-and-effect relationship that is already implied.
How does the author suggest dealing with adverbs in writing?
-The author recommends using the Hemingway app to highlight adverbs and then deciding whether they are necessary or if they can be replaced with stronger, more active verbs.
What is the rule of thumb for using the word 'very'?
-The rule of thumb is to avoid using 'very' and instead opt for stronger, more specific adjectives or adverbs to convey the intended meaning.
Why is 'is' and 'was' considered a weak word in certain contexts?
-'Is' and 'was' can be weak words because they are often used in passive voice constructions, which can lead to flat and unengaging descriptions.
How should authors approach the use of 'started to' in their writing?
-Authors should avoid using 'started to' and instead just describe the action directly, unless it is necessary to indicate the beginning of an action or an interruption.
What is the video's stance on using 'just' in writing?
-The video suggests that 'just' is often overused and can usually be removed from a sentence without changing its meaning, but it can be kept as a limiter or indicator of time when appropriate.
Why might 'somewhat' or 'slightly' be considered weak words?
-These words can be weak because they may indicate a lack of precision or unnecessary nuance in the description, often allowing for a more accurate and intentional adjective to be used instead.
How does the video suggest handling the word 'seem'?
-The video suggests removing 'seem' and replacing it with actions or descriptions that show how a character perceives something, rather than telling.
What is the advice given for using 'definitely' in writing?
-The advice is to remove 'definitely' when it does not contribute to the sentence, but it can be kept when it contrasts with previous doubt or uncertainty.
Why is maintaining character voice important when editing?
-Maintaining character voice is important because it ensures the dialogue and narration stay true to the character's personality and how they would naturally speak or think.
Outlines
📚 Introduction to Weak Words in Writing
Abbi, the host, welcomes viewers to 'Writers Life Wednesdays,' a platform dedicated to enhancing storytelling and fulfilling authorial aspirations. She revisits the topic of line editing, emphasizing the importance of eliminating weak words to strengthen prose. The video promises an exploration of ten common weak words, with examples from Abbi's writing to illustrate when to cut and when to keep them. Abbi also discusses the balance between dialogue realism and prose strength, noting that weak words in dialogue can add authenticity to character voices.
🚫 Cutting 'Suddenly' and 'Then' for Conciseness
The video delves into the first two weak words: 'suddenly' and 'then.' Abbi advises using 'suddenly' sparingly to maintain its impact, suggesting it be removed when the action is already implied to be sudden. For 'then,' she argues it often serves as unnecessary filler, but can be kept when it bridges two distinct actions, emphasizing their difference.
📉 Avoiding 'Very/Really,' 'Is/Was,' and 'Start to'
Abbi continues with words 'very' and 'really,' recommending stronger descriptors over these weak modifiers. She then addresses 'is' and 'was,' cautioning against passive voice and advocating for active descriptions that engage the reader. Lastly, she touches on 'start to,' suggesting it's often unnecessary and can be omitted for a clearer and more direct narrative.
🗑️ Eliminating 'Just,' 'Somewhat/Slightly,' and 'Somehow'
The discussion moves to 'just,' which Abbi suggests is frequently overused and can usually be removed without loss of meaning. She then critiques 'somewhat' and 'slightly' for being too imprecise, recommending more specific language unless they accurately describe a nuanced situation. 'Somehow' is labeled as indicative of lazy writing, to be avoided unless a character legitimately lacks information.
🤔 On the Use of 'Seem' and 'Definitely'
Abbi talks about 'seem,' urging writers to replace it with descriptive action that shows rather than tells. However, she allows for its use when a character's intuition is at play. The word 'definitely' is mostly unnecessary, but can be fitting when a character moves from uncertainty to certainty. Abbi emphasizes the importance of editing smartly and not overusing the delete function.
📉 Bonus: The Overuse of Adverbs
As a bonus, Abbi highlights adverbs, especially those ending in '-ly,' as a subtle form of passive voice that can weaken writing. She demonstrates how changing adverbs to verbs can energize the prose. While not all adverbs are bad, she advises moderation and recommends using the Hemingway app for a final round of copy edits to identify and address excessive use of adverbs and passive voice.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Line Editing
💡Weak Words
💡Character Voice
💡Show, Don't Tell
💡Passive Voice
💡Adverbs
💡Dialogue
💡Editing Research
💡Cause-and-Effect
💡Intuitive Writing
💡Hemingway App
Highlights
The video discusses the importance of removing weak words from writing to strengthen prose and storytelling.
The presenter shares a personal line editing process and emphasizes the significance of cutting weak words.
Ten specific weak words are identified that should be considered for deletion in a novel, with examples provided.
The distinction is made between dialogue and narration, noting that weak words can be acceptable in realistic dialogue.
The word 'suddenly' is explored, advising its use only when an event is genuinely sudden.
The use of 'then' is questioned, suggesting it's often unnecessary and can be removed for better flow.
The video advises against using 'very' or 'really' before weak descriptors, recommending stronger alternatives.
The passive voice construction 'is' and 'was' is criticized for lacking action and suggests using active voice where possible.
The word 'started' is advised to be cut unless it signifies the actual beginning of an action.
The presenter suggests removing 'just' from a sentence unless it serves a specific purpose as a limiter or time indicator.
The use of 'somewhat' or 'slightly' is cautioned, recommending more precise language unless nuance is intentionally sought.
'Somehow' is identified as a sign of lazy writing, to be used sparingly and only when it reflects a character's missing information.
The advice 'show, don't tell' is applied to the use of 'seem', encouraging authors to describe perceptions through action.
The word 'definitely' is often considered useless, but can be used effectively to contrast with previous doubt.
Adverbs ending in '-ly' are discussed as a subtle form of passive voice that can weaken prose if overused.
The Hemingway app is recommended for identifying and editing adverbs, passive voice, and other writing issues.
The presenter encourages smart editing, warning against overuse of the delete key and to consider context for each word's usage.
A call to action for viewers to engage with the content, share their experiences, and join the Patreon for deeper storytelling insights.
Transcripts
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