Skip to main content

Bad Words

No, not the ones the kids say to annoy you or the ones that slip out when you're angry or you drop the dining table on your foot. The kind that we use every day but editors don't like. I asked my editor for a list of ones to edit out of Sky and she very kindly sent me the following. Oops - an ly word slipped in there. See - its so easy to do and so hard to avoid.

Look - not evey other line - my 70 page short story had 500 of these
Nod - see above!
a bit
a little
a lot
actually
almost
although
could
feel/feeling/felt
going to
had
have
hear/heard
in order to
it
just
knew
know
look
ly adverbs
maybe
notice
observe
often
really
see/saw - no no, playing on the see saw in the park is still fine ;-)
smell/taste
some
still
that
then
there
though
usually
very
was/were
watch

Oh so many and so hard to avoid. My hero can no longer run quickly to his car, he has to speed or bolt or zoom. And as for hugging Miss Heroine tightly... ummm he hugs her until she can no longer breathe, faints and has to be revived with some mouth to mouth :D

Comments

Anonymous said…
Clare, that last little example you used tells me WHY editors don't want the "ly" words. Wow - what a picture your last sentence brought to mind! lol FAR better than "he held her tightly."
10 August 2009 at 16:51
Grace Brooks said…
Looks like your editor is asking for show don't tell which translate to more action.
10 August 2009 at 16:59
Kaye Manro said…
Great list! And it's so good your editor pointed it out to you. I've been hit too. My editor counted every was and had in my story! And I thought I was doing so well as I don't usually use was and had often. Seems like even a few is too much for some editors!
10 August 2009 at 17:41
Donna B said…
Seemed, or seems is another one that can usually be replaced to make things more active. But don't think every -ing or -ly word has to be eradicated, just use them wisely.

Great list though!

May your writing be as lively and cunning as you can make it.
11 August 2009 at 02:21
Catherine Bybee said…
Awesome list. There are a few in there I never considered 'Bad Words'. lol
11 August 2009 at 05:09
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Phooey Kerflooey: Three Kids And A Puppy vs The Squirrel Of The Apocalypse by Kristen Joy Wilkes

Kristen says "Once upon a time, our family of three young boys welcomed a princess into our home. A furry princess, a princess who ended up weighing more than they did, was terrified of haybales and bags of chicken feed, and refused to drink out of anything but her own special mug. Our boys were charmed by their puppy princess and asked that I write a story based on her. It took me seven years, but finally I present to you  Phooey Kerflooey ! While our own boys delighted in Princess Leia Freyja’s scaredy-cat antics and princess ways, the boys in the story take a bit longer to appreciate Phooey’s gifts. However, I pray that you will enjoy their journey together as they battle the squirrel of the apocalypse and search for perfect peace amidst a storm of chaos. " And I loved this one. It's gone straight back into the TBR pile. A puppy will fix everything.  A boring new house?  Boring house + puppy = adventure!    An attacking squirrel?  Evil squirrel + puppy =...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Time for Healing by Ramona K Cecil

Winner - Best in Fiction Indiana Faith and Writing Contest 2014 Ginny Red Fawn McLain is determined to hold fast to her adoptive Shawnee culture despite her sudden reentry into her white birth family. She rejects their Christianity, fearing the tenets of the white man’s religion will prevent her from practicing as a Shawnee medicine woman. But her heart refuses to shun her uncle’s young friend and apprentice minister, Jeremiah Dunbar.   Jeremiah Dunbar has never doubted what he would do with his life—he’d follow in his father’s footsteps as a minister of the Gospel. But a mission trip west to the Native American tribes makes him begin to question his future plans. At the discovery of his fellow missionary’s long lost niece living among the Shawnee, Jeremiah is immediately smitten. But unless Ginny Red Fawn McLain joins Christ’s fold—something she adamantly resists—Jeremiah will have to choose between the woman he loves and the work God has called him to do.    G...
3 comments
Read more

Phooey Kerflooey vs The Battle Squirrel by Kristen Joy Wilks

  Phooey Kerflooey has finally found a home of her own. Too bad a raging squirrel found it first! Rasputin the squirrel spends his time stealing snacks, pooing on the counters, and biting tender noses. Phooey’s perfect home has become a perfect storm of chaos! Phooey will do anything for her boys. Almost step on the shiny floor. Mostly go potty outside. Bite a baby carrot in half. Maybe two carrots, or even three! The boys want Phooey to chase Rasputin and save the day, but it’s hard when so many scary things stand in her way. If only Phooey had her pink dolly to boost her bravery. Can Phooey find her courage and chase that bad squirrel out of their lives forever? Maybe tomorrow. Or the day after that. For sure by next week. Phooey will be very brave . . . someday. Theme verse: Isaiah 32:18--My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest. My review:  Phooey is back in this wonderful story of the puppy v the battle squirrel. Havi...
Post a Comment
Read more