Weak Word List
Download Sastrugi Press weak words list and use it to improve and strengthen your writing. Use the Text Statistics tool in Scrivener to see what words you use most frequently in conjunction with our list. You might be surprised at what has crept into your writing.
Even the best authors have words they don’t end up using in their first drafts. Or even their 20th draft. As an example, Jack Gantos noted to his audience in Jackson Hole at the Teton County library that:
I go through at least 100 edits before I think of submitting my book. I read the book through every day so I know where every word is. And, more importantly, that each one works. – Jack Gantos
Don’t expect to write it right in the first shot. No one does. Editing these weak words out will improve the value and marketability of your writing. Avoid weak words in your book proposal, too.
As an example, the verb GET has 19 different variations. We all write it, this website has the verb in several places, but you want to avoid this particular verb in your writing. It’s sublimely vague. Does it mean:
- ACQUIRE
- RECEIVE
- BECOME
- FETCH
- EARN
- APPREHEND
- TRAVEL BY/ON/IN
- SUCCUMB TO
- EXPERIENCE
- CONTACT
- HEAR
- UNDERSTAND
- ARRIVE
- PERSUADE
- CONTRIVE
- PREPARE
- TAKE REVENGE ON
- BAFFLE
- ANNOY
Writing is an art and it requires exacting tools: words. The more specific you can be, especially in your dramatic scene, the better your writing will be.
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