Words To Avoid

One of the best things that ever happened to my writing was joining a critique group.

Why?

They catch all of those pesky little words that I use too much, or words I really should not use at all. I edited that last sentence of those words and then added them in to show you how often and easily they creep into my writing.

<p>Image courtesy of <a href="http://www.freedigitalphotos.net">FreeDigitalPhotos.net</a></p>

I have a short list in "Currently Editing" folder.

• that
• just
• seem
• like
• really
• feel
• start
• already
• felt 
• very

This worked fine - for a while. Then a few months back I read a post by Rachelle Gardner about cutting words. Although her post was about cutting words in an attempt to cut word count, I applied it to advice I've seen numerous times on agent and editor blogs.

Cut unnecessary words. 

 
Every word counts. 

Gardner gives a list which I have now plucked more words from to add to my own list. 

• actually
• almost
• appears
• basically
• close to
• eventually 
• exactly
• finally
• kind of
• nearly
• practically
• simply
• somehow
• somewhat
• suddenly
• truly
• utterly

She lists more, but these are the ones which tend to sneak into my writing more than the others.  And, leaving them out only tightens my sentences.

Your Turn -> What words sneak into your writing too often?