Strong vs Weak Words ~ Part 28 ~ So

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editing, editing tips, Overused Words, Overusing the Word So, Strong vs Weak Words, Strong Words, Weak Words, writers, writing, Writing Advice, writing tips

Image Courtesy of Freedigitalphotos.com

Today’s word to think about is “so.” Not “so” as an intensifier as in, “Robin is soooooooo smart,” but when used as a transition. “So” isn’t altogether evil, but if used too often, “so” sounds like a crutch. Maybe a semicolon is better. Maybe an “and” irons out the wrinkles. Maybe the sentence needs to be two sentences.

I had 109 “so-s” and reduced the number today to 50. The result? Literary magic! Well, not magic exactly, but better writing. Let’s explore this idea.

 Robin’s blog is humorous, so she must be a smart cookie.

 Oh gosh! She makes me laugh too.

Robin’s blog is humorous; she must be a plagiarist.

 ~~~~~

Robin has many readers, so she can’t respond to all the comments.

 She ignores me too.

Robin has few readers and appreciates the one comment she gets per day.

 ~~~~~

 I read every word of Robin’s blog so I don’t make a fool of myself when I praise her profound writing advice.

 Profound writing what………..?!?

 Not wanting to make a fool of Robin, I refuse to comment on her blog.

~~~~~

Robin didn’t know I un-followed her, so please keep my secret to yourself.

Shhhhhh.  I un-followed her too!

 Robin doesn’t know I un-followed her. If you tell her, she is likely to hurt me. 

~~~~~

 Robin is testy, so commenting on her blog makes me uncomfortable.

 She is scary!

 Robin barked at me when she replied to my comment. I was afraid for my safety.

~~~~~

 Robin leaned against the bar at the writer’s conference so I made my way across the room to say hello.

 You can always find Robin at the bar.

 I spotted Robin across the room and headed for the exit before she saw me.

 ~~~~~

 If I could afford the extravagance to do so, I would send Robin flowers every week. 

You do know her favorite flower is an expensive rare orchid from South America, right? 

If I could afford the extravagance, I would hire a bodyguard to protect me from Robin’s wrath.

So . . . what say you?

Comment Spam That Flies Under The Radar

Tags

Akismet, Comment Spam, Spam, writers, writing

no spam! (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I rarely do two posts in one day. My apologies.

However, I need to ask a question. Do you get comments from “Writing Jobs?” I let Askimet know they are spam, but relentless “Mr. Writing Jobs” often sneaks under the spam-net.

Here is today’s comment, which is much like others I’ve received. I assume the comments slip under the spam radar because they don’t sound like a robot wrote them.

Writing Jobs said, “That was another excellent post today. You make it look so easy. Thanks so much for sharing. I really enjoyed reading it very much. Have a wonderful day!”

I make it look easy, don’t I?

Does “Writing Jobs” follow you too?

Help Me With An Editing Decision ~ Round Two

Tags

editing, Self-editing, writers, writing

Photo credit: Wikipedia

If you missed yesterday’s post, click here. I asked for your help deciding between two sentences in my novel. I like both passages for different reasons. Being feint of heart and unable to choose, I turned to you smart people.

America has voted and the results are in. Dim the lights please . . .

Passage One with 6 votes or 14.63%: Back on United States soil, my internal clock could only be read in German and it was a full week before it reset. Back on local time, I hauled myself to the market to buy the Austrian shopkeeper’s recipe ingredients.

Passage Two with 34 votes or 82.93%: After a week of struggling to get my internal clock back on local time, I hauled myself to the market to buy the Austrian shopkeeper’s recipe ingredients. We have a winner!

Both passages stink. Do over, Robin! with 1 vote or 2.44%.

Which one did I write? Drum roll please . . . Passage One.

The biggest complaint about Passage One was both sentences began with “back on.” That was an oversight on my part. In a blurry-eyed round of editing, I tweaked the sentences and left fragments behind. There is such a thing as “editing fatigue.” If you edit/write for ten hours straight, it is time to take a break!

The six voters who like Passage One found the imagery and play on words interesting and that Passage Two is antiseptic. Several of you said the sentences sound like me.

The majority of you like the tidiness of Passage Two. The sentence is concise and flows better. Many of you guessed Passage Two was mine and sounds like me. You know . . . all my preaching about being tidy in our writing.

Context was an issue for some and wanted more information. I chose have the sentences stand alone in the voting because I didn’t want to scare you off with too many words to plow through. I know context would have been helpful.

I tweaked Passage One; time for another round of voting.

Passage One Revisited: Back on U.S soil, my internal clock could only be read in German and it was a full week before it reset. When I no longer felt like a wrung-out dishrag, I hauled myself to the market to buy the Austrian shopkeeper’s recipe ingredients.

Passage Two: After a week of struggling to get my internal clock back on local time, I hauled myself to the market to buy the Austrian shopkeeper’s recipe ingredients

Slow Blog Day, Anyone? And I Need Help With An Editing Decision

Tags

editing, Slow Blog Traffic, Slow Blog Traffic During Olympics, writers, writing

Go Team USA!
Image Courtesy of Freedigitalphotos.net

I believe the Olympics are usurping my blog readers. What a slow day for traffic! You mean, watching world-class athletes compete is more entertaining than reading my blog? I never. Oh wait, that is what I am doing too.

As such, this is a good day to do my first poll. Hope it works!

Think of the poll as awarding Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals in Robin’s little writing world.

I have been blessed with a dozen beta readers. Two of which made their comments and suggested edits on hard copy. It took me a full day to read through, and accept or reject one reader’s notes. One of her edits stumped me, and I need your help deciding if her suggestion is better than what I wrote.

Below are the two versions. No, I’m not “telling” which one is mine lest it sway your vote.

A short backstory to the selections is: My main character traveled to Austria on business. While there, she searched for a recipe for beef stroganoff similar to her mom’s. She persuaded a shopkeeper to share her recipe with her.

Passage One: Back on United States soil, my internal clock could only be read in German and it was a full week before it reset. Back on local time, I hauled myself to the market to buy the Austrian shopkeeper’s recipe ingredients.

Passage Two: After a week of struggling to get my internal clock back on local time, I hauled myself to the market to buy the Austrian shopkeeper’s recipe ingredients.

Strong vs Weak Words ~ Part 27 ~ Tell

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editing, Overused Words, Self-editing, Strong vs Weak Words, Strong Words, Weak Words, writers, writing, Writing Advice, writing tips

A signpost for us all.
Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Related (sort of) to “told” is “tell.”

We want to write so that we “show, not tell,” right? One easy step in following that sage writing advice is, in small part, to rid our manuscripts of the word “tell.” Not using the word “tell” doesn’t make the writing Pulitzer-worthy and paint pictures in the reader’s mind, but it takes it up a notch.

Do these examples “tell” you what I mean?

I could tell Robin blushed when I complimented her writing style.

Are you talking about Robin Coyle?

 Robin face turned an unbecoming shade of purple when I suggested she take a writing class.

~~~~~

I wanted to tell Robin about a great blog post idea.

 Please, no! Don’t give her more material!

 I shared a blog post idea with Robin. She pooh-poohed the suggestion and wrote about strong vs weak words. Gawd. Not again.

~~~~~

 The urge to tell her more blog post ideas came over me.

 Really. I mean it. Don’t feed her blogging obsession.

The urge to give her more blog post ideas was squashed when my fellow bloggers threatened my life.

 ~~~~~

 Robin wouldn’t tell us what she planned to blog about next.

Isn’t that cheeky of her.

 Robin wouldn’t divulge her plans for torturing us further.

Readers Weigh In On Annoying Phrases That Need To “Just Chill”

Tags

Annoying Phrases, Grammar Pet Peeves, Irritating Phrases, Overused Words, Phrases That Need To Go, Words and Phrases to Avoid, writers, writing

The proper use of “like”.
“Free image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net”

On July 5^th we groaned about annoying phrases we would like (used correctly here) to see banned. I promised a follow-up post with the additions you made in the comments. You guys are hysterical!

So here are the additions to the list along with a link to who added the word or phrase. I hope I didn’t miss anyone. Going back and forth to link everyone’s blog made me dizzy!

Too much information. ~ Subtlekate

“I could care less.” vs “I couldn’t care less.” ~ Subtlekate and Promethean Times and JMMcDowell

Like ~ Bringing Europe Home and Ramblings of the Insane Girl

I hear you. ~ Fly Away Home Book

I feel you. ~ Robin Coyle

Basically ~ The Laughing Housewife and Promethean Times

Literally ~ Personal Growth

I’m just saying. Or, Just saying ~ Blurt and Brain Splats

No probs. ~ Vanessa Jane Chapman

Are we on the same page? ~ Comedy in Crisis

“Hella” and “irregardless” ~ Readncook

If you want the truth. ~ Legion Writer and Laughing at Everyday Life

You are too funny. ~ Lori’s Lane

Ya know, I totally get you. You rock. You’re the bomb. I got your back ~ J. Keller Ford

You may not believe in God, but he believes in you. Bullseye. Totally. Everything happens for a reason. The grand finale. ~ ahamin

Back in the day. High end. Yous. You know what I’m sayin’. That’s special. ~ Beyond the Brush 

Whole ‘nother thing. If viewed in this context. ~ Promethean Times

I so get where you are coming from. ~ Carrie Rubin

Chill. A fabs listen, babe. Soz. Laters. ~ Ms. Katykins

Have a nice day. Help you? No problem. What’s up wit dat? ~ Diabetic Redemption

It’s a heavy lift. ~ News of the Times

Low hanging fruit. ~ Robin Coyle

I’m starving. ~ 4amWriter

It’s not you, it’s me. Have a nice day. I’m not being funny, but . . . ~ Dotty Headbanger

What’s new? ~ On the Homefront and Beyond

I couldn’t be bothered. Honestly. ~ Writing by the Numbers

Everything happens for a reason. ~ Richard Coyle

Strong vs Weak Words ~ Part 26 ~ Told

Tags

editing tips, Overused Words, Self-editing, Strong vs Weak Words, Strong Words, Weak Words, writers, writing, Writing Advice, writing tips

Hi folks! I’m back from four lovely days with the beautiful Pam. Did you enjoy the break from me? Well, brace yourself for another post in the Strong vs Weak Word series.

The Beautiful Pam

“Told” is another flat word. My novel is in the first person. Much (not all) of the dialog is narrated, meaning without quotation marks. So therefore, “told” might not be a problem for you. It was for me.

I examined the “tolds” and converted some of the narrated dialog into “he saids” and she saids.” However, not all.

“Told” jumps out at you and slaps you across the face. But “told” can also be stated as screamed, whispered, or ranted. Or simply as “said.”

Again, the difference is subtle. Losing “told” also gets rid of an unneeded pronoun. Let’s see if I can make sense of this with some examples.

Robin jumped for joy when I told her I made a pitcher of martinis.

Gin or vodka?

When Robin learned I was pouring martinis, she ran three stoplights driving to my house.

 ~~~~~

Robin kicked down my door and I told her I would call the police.

Smart girl!

I found my can of mace and warned Robin I have the police on speed dial.

~~~~~

She snorted when I told her I was serious about calling the cops.

 Robin is like that when she wants a martini.

Robin threw a water balloon at me when I said the cops were on their way.

~~~~~

The single tear on Robin’s cheek told me she was at the breaking point.

 What a basket case!

 The single tear on Robin’s cheek let me know I better pour her a drink.

~~~~

Robin’s empty martini glass.
Free image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net

I told Robin she needs rehab. 

Phew. She does need it.

I outlined the benefits of rehab while the intervention group filed in.

 ~~~~~

When Robin refused to leave, I told her she was obstinate.

 I bet that didn’t go well.

Robin handcuffed herself to the table and I called her an obstinate fool.

~~~~~

Robin growled at me when I told her she needed to leave.

 Someone needed to say it. Better you than me.

 Robin growled at me when I dragged her and the table out the door.

Sorry for the numerous examples, but there are many ways to say “told.”

Also, note the legal use of the martini glass photo!

A Little Blog Break

Tags

Blog Break, writers, writing

Pam is the cute blonde on the left. I am the cute blonde on the right. The handsome fellow in my arms is William Wallace.

My girlfriend of 30+ years is coming up from the Bay Area to Sacramento and our cabin near Lake Tahoe for a four-day visit. As such, and much to your relief, I will be MIA for a few days. No Strong vs Weak Words to haunt you. No “Would you please let up Robin” moments for several days. No screaming at your computer “Put a sock in it girl!”

Pam and I will be busy yakking, sipping vodka tonics on the cabin porch, and taking in the beauty of Lake Tahoe.

Months go by between face-to-face visits, but we pick up the conversation as though no time has passed. Last year I said to her, “You know, not one cross word has been spoken between us in the 30+ years of our friendship.” Not one.  Pam said, “I don’t do cross words.” She doesn’t. Pam is the kindest person I know, aside from my husband and kids. She is a true friend.

So, I’ll be back on Thursday. I’ll also be drowning in email notifications of your blog posts. My apologies for not hanging around with you and your blogs.

See you in a few days.

Here is a cautionary tale for all of us. So long posts with galleries of photos of beautiful things gone by. Sorry this is a reblog of a reblog, but the information is important.

Jennifer M Eaton

I don’t normally “reblog” stuff.  I like to write my own material… and usually my opinions differ from the orignal writer’s, so I need to write my own stuff anyway.

However, in this case, I think this post is powerful enough, and well-written enough that it can stand on its own.  If you blog, and you have ever posted a picture on your blog that you did not take with your own camera, you OWE IT TO YOURSELF to read this post.  Are you sitting on a ticking time bomb?

Many people think “It will not happen to me.”  Guess what?  It happened to author Roni Loren.  Please click the link below to hop over to read her story.

Bloggers Beware: You CAN Get Sued For Using Pics on Your Blog – My Story

By the way… in case you were wondering… all the art on my blog has been legally purchased. …

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Strong vs Weak Words ~ Part 25 ~ There

Tags

editing, editing tips, Overused Words, Self-editing, Strong vs Weak Words, Strong Words, Weak Words, writers, writing, Writing Advice, writing tips

Doing a blog post today seems irreverent. The senseless massacre in Colorado is painful and our nation mourns. Understanding what would drive a person to kill and injure dozens of innocent movie-goers is not possible. I would like to say to the families and friends of the victims, I am so sorry. We grieve with you.

I wrote this post yesterday and in trying to decide if I was going to publish today or not, the graphic below spoke to me, and is somehow appropriate for soothing the pain from the tragedy. With that, here is today’s Strong vs Weak Word post.

Remember our discussion on the cheeky little word “it?” As a refresher, we fall back on the word “it” to avoid using what “it” is again in the same sentence, or one nearby.

Akin to “it” is “there.”

I stop there so often, the bartender knows my name.

I love a good cocktail too.

 The bartender knows my name because I drink exotic cocktails for hours and creep out of the bar without leaving a tip.

~~~~~ 

I found a new restaurant and drink there every night.

Have you considered Alcoholics Anonymous?

I found a new restaurant and the owner kicks me out of the bar every night. 

~~~~~

 I heard a voice in the room but when I looked over my shoulder, no one was there.

That’s the gin talking.

I heard a voice and I spun around on my barstool, but the room was empty.

 ~~~~~

There was room for me at the bar and he patted the barstool next to him.

 The letch.

The barstool was vacant but he refused to let me sit next to him.

P.S. The last two examples use the verb “to be” with the “there.” The issue may warrant its own post! Let me know if you’d like one.

Strong vs Weak Word ~ Part 24 ~ Then

Tags

editing, editing tips, Overused Words, Self-editing, Strong vs Weak Words, Strong Words, Weak Words, writers, writing, Writing Advice, writing tips

“Then” was brought to my attention by SubtleKate. Best wishes to Kate as she is having surgery on Friday.

My characters did this. Then my characters did that. I reduced 69 “then-s” to 28. I should give the remaining 28 a second look. If you describe what happens next in the story, the “then” is implied. Let’s take a look.

I joined Sir Paul’s fan club, wire tapped his phone, and then stalked his dog-walker.

Why the dog-walker, not Paul?

I joined Sir Paul’s fan club and wire tapped his phone. The police arrested me when I stalked his dog-walker.

~~~~~

Paul hired me as a housekeeper and then I devised a plan to steal his gold records.

Dastardly of you.

Paul hired me as a housekeeper, which gave me the opportunity to steal his gold albums.

 ~~~~~

I gushed over Paul during the interview and then censored myself for sounding like a groupie.

 I would gush too.

I gushed over Paul during the interview until he rang for his army of bodyguards.

 ~~~~~ 

I planned my escape route from the mansion, ran it by James Bond, and then made off with Paul’s gold records.

You know James Bond?

I planned my escape route from the mansion, ran it by James Bond over martinis, and was arrested for stealing Paul’s gold records.

~~~~~ 

Until then, I wasn’t afraid of Paul’s bodyguards.

 You should have been. I’ve seen ’em.

Until I saw their guns, I thought I could sweet-talk Paul’s bodyguards into letting me keep the records.

Pounding Away At The Keyboard

Tags

Strong vs Weak Words, Strong Words, Weak Word, writers, Writers Resources, writing

The first time I wrote about using Strong vs Weak Words, I had no idea where it would take us. None. Zero. Na da.

Post One turned into Post Two, Three, Four, and so on. We are now up to 23, with more on the way.  Don’t groan people. Yes, more weak words are to come.

While I HATE that the words I point out in the posts are a problem for folks, I LOVE the fact that they ARE. There is comfort in numbers, right? And I like to think that agents around the world are standing at the water cooler and saying to each other, “Wow, writers are not using so many “just-s” these days! What happened?”

Some of you asked, “Where do you come up with these weak words, Robin?”

I can honestly say this series comes hot off my editing process and pounding away at the keyboard.

When I see a word lying on the page like yesterday’s toast, I poke at it. If it doesn’t move, I dig deeper. If I can fix it, I figure the darn word might be a problem for other writers and I do a blog post about it. I am happy to say (or unhappy) that in every case, the offending word is an issue others are pleased to abort from their writing.

The feedback on the series has been reward enough for this unpaid job of blogging. You’ve asked for the series in book form and I promise you, a Strong vs Weak Word book is coming. Folks tell me they print out the series, think of me as they write blog posts, and one reader took me with her in spirit to her writing group. Can’t ask for more than that!

The photo below is from sweet SubtleKate.  Look who is front and center on the white board over her writing desk. Moi!

Kate gave me a flip hair do.

Thank you Kate for allowing me hang over your every word, and thank you readers for allowing me to nit-pick your writing. I hope you consider my nagging in the loving way I intend it.

Strong vs Weak Words ~ Part 23 ~ Wasn’t and Isn’t

Tags

Strong Verbs, Strong vs Weak Words, Strong Words, Weak Verbs, Weak Words, writers, writing, Writing Advice, writing tips

We learned about telling our readers what happened instead of what “didn’t” happen here. Related to “didn’t” is “wasn’t” and ”isn’t.” Again, when I read the words “wasn’t” and “isn’t” in my WIP, I asked myself if it “wasn’t” something, then what the heck WAS it? Let’s explore this idea.

My day isn’t complete until I read Robin’s blog.

Do you have a life? 

My day was incomplete after reading Robin’s blog.

 ~~~~~

I wasn’t happy when Robin didn’t follow my blog.

 She didn’t follow mine either.

My blood pressure rose to dangerous heights when Robin failed to follow my blog even after I liked, commented, liked, commented, liked, and endlessly commented on her asinine blog.

 ~~~~~

She isn’t my favorite blogger but I read a few of Robin’s posts placate her need for attention.

Gosh, Robin is annoying.

 My favorite blogger was Robin Coyle until she went on ad nausuem about strong vs weak words. Geez Louise, give it a rest Robin.

 

Strong vs Weak Words ~ Part 22 ~ Would Have

Tags

Overused Words, Self-editing, Strong vs Weak Words, Strong Words, Weak Verbs, Weak Words, writers, Writers Resources, writing, Writing Advice, writing tips

Would have. Geez Louise. That is all I will say as an intro. Read on.

Robin would suggest ways to improve my writing and I hung on her every word.

 Why? Gosh . . .  get a grip.

Robin suggested ways to improve my writing but I ignored her.

~~~~~

He would bring Robin flowers to weasel more writing tips out of her.

The letch.

He brought Robin flowers and she threw her blog posts into his awaiting arms.

~~~~~

Robin would blush when her readers sent her flowers.

Dead black roses?

Robin blushed when her readers called the grammar police.

~~~~~ 

He would leave me love notes in the comment section of my blog.

Such a romantic fool.

 He left me hate mail in the comment section so I changed my identity.

I am now Paris Hilton.

How awful is this?

Strong vs Weak Words ~ Part 21 ~ Try and Attempt

Tags

editing, editing tips, Overused Words, Self-editing, Strong vs Weak Words, Strong Words, Weak Verbs, Weak Words, writers, writing, Writing Advice

Do your characters “try” to do things? Do they make an “attempt?

If your romantic lead “tries” to win the girl’s heart and fails, that is one thing. But if he “tries” to impress her by wearing after-shave laced with pheromones and she swoons into his arms, he succeeded. Let’s see if some examples help me out here.

I tried following Robin’s point in her blog post but she lost me by sentence two.

There you failed.

I tried following Robin’s blog and loved it.

Gosh, me too!

I followed Robin’s blog and hated it.

~~~~~

I try to learn something from Robin, but she has nothing to offer.

You failed again.

 I try to learn from Robin’s posts and because of her wisdom, I am stronger writer.

Gosh, me too again! We have so much in common.

I learn how to use strong words from Robin. She is so wise!

 ~~~~~

 I was trying to make sense of Robin’s blog post, but she writes drivel.

Failed again my friend.

I was trying to follow the editing advice Robin gives and it works beautifully.

Are you sure we are reading the same Robin Coyle? (P.S. The “was” in the above sentence is awkward.)

 Following Robin’s advice made my WIP Pulitzer-worthy.

 ~~~~~

I attempted to un-follow Robin, but darn WordPress wouldn’t let me. 

 Boy, you must feel like a failure by now.

I attempted to follow Robin and I am glad I did! She is a smart cookie!

Robincoyle.com, right? You sure?

I unfollowed robincoyle.com as soon as I read her last post. As my mom would say, good riddance to bad rubbish.

Annoying Words That “Like, Need To Be Banned”

Tags

Annoying Phrases, Annoying Words, Words that should be banned, writers, writing

The post about annoying phrases struck a nerve. What a response! I will compile additions made to the list from the comments. There are so many entries I may need several posts!

Perhaps this post will generate an equally lively conversation . . . annoying words.

Like

Used 845 time (on average) by teenage girls in one sentence.

Whatever or Whatevs

Usually said with a pert flip of the hand.

Totally

As in “We should like totally go to the mall.”

Stoked

I’m so stoked, dude.

 Epic

As in, “That movie was epic.” Did you watch The Ten Commandments?

 Absolutely

 I am guilty of this one because I love the enthusiasm “ABSOLUTELY!” conveys.

Yummers or Delish or Yummo

Unless you have a wildly popular cooking show on the Food Network you shouldn’t be allowed to use these pseudo-words. Perhaps Rachel shouldn’t say “yummers” either.

I included “Literally” in the annoying phrase post (I know, it is a word not a phrase), but I am including it again because this video captures how truly annoying it “literally” is.

Ok . . . bring it on. What words would you add to the list? Ooh . . . should the phrase “bring it on” be on the annoying list?

Strong vs Weak Words ~ Part 20 ~ They

Tags

editing, editing tips, Self-editing, Strong vs Weak Words, Strong Words, Weak Words, writers, writing, Writing Advice, writing tips

You knew it was coming. The dreaded word “they” is related to “it” and “them.” If you missed those posts click here and here.

“Them” is a nice enough word, and because it is so nice, I invited “them” to over-stay their welcome in my WIP. “They” blend into the wallpaper, but when you give them a name badge and a cocktail, “they” become the life of the party.

Here we go . . .

She writes lovely comments on my blog but under the surface I can tell they are pandering. 

She just wants you to follow her back.

She makes innocuous comments on my blog, but under the surface her words are judgmental and mean-spirited.

~~~~~ 

I hired a team to make nice comments on my blog and they did an excellent job.

You can hire someone to do that? What is their number?

 The team I hired to make comments on my blog turned into an angry mob so I contacted my lawyer about a restraining order.

~~~~~ 

My readers were polite in their comments, but they covertly envied my success as a blogger.

 I have comment-envy too.

My readers made nasty comments on my blog, but my feelings were not hurt because bloggers are a jealous lot.

Wow! Can you believe we are on Part 20 of the Strong vs Weak Word Series? I can’t.

Ever look up something on the internet and then 2 hours later you know how to plant potatoes, shoe a horse, and repair jet plane engines? This cartoon captures that phenomenon.

In other words

Except . . . I don’t have ears and I go to bed at a reasonable hour with a book. My downfall is sitting down at the computer first thing in the morning with a cup of coffee in hand. Suddenly it’s noon!

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Strong vs Weak Words ~ Part 19 ~ Them

Tags

editing, editing tips, Overused Words, Self-editing, Strong vs Weak Words, Strong Words, Weak Words, writers, writing, Writing Advice, writing tips

I wrote about my discovery of my overuse/reliance on the word “it” here. I shed bitter tears while editing out about a million “its.” A new revelation was my overuse-run-it-into-the ground reliance on “its” evil twin “them.”

As with “it,” every time I read a “them,” I asked myself, “who/what is the them?”

I own 462 purses and my husband loves me because I store them on his side of the closet. 

He is more understanding than my husband.

 I own 462 purses and my husband is ready to divorce me because I store my collection on his side of the house.

~~~~~

I hide my jagged cuticles and chipped nail polish from my mother-in-law because she makes fun of them.

Do we have the same mother-in-law?

I hide my nails from my mother-in-law because she makes fun of my obsession with daily manicures.

 ~~~~~

 I have many followers and I keep them engaged by writing insightful blog posts.

 We must have the same followers!

I had many followers but I lose 20 readers every day because I write nothing but drivel.

Annoying Phrases That Need To “Just Chill”

Tags

Annoying Phrases, Grammar Pet Peeves, Irritating Phrases, Phrases That Need To Go, writers, writing

Certain phrases set my teeth on edge. How about you? These phrases are tired because we hear them multiple times a day.

What would you add to the list? Comment below and if we get a good list going (I am confident we will), I will do a second post and credit you for your addition.

 It is what it is.

If it wasn’t what it is, what would it be?

My bad.

Poor substitute for saying “I’m sorry.”

At the end of the day . . .

But it is still midday.

He reached out to me . . . as in, “He called me.”

Rather touchy-feely.

Don’t go there.

Where would you like me to go?

Just chill.

How? Stick my head in the freezer?

I, personally think that . . .

 ~ Or ~

In my personal opinion . . .

~ Or ~

My personal preference . . .

If it isn’t your personal whatever, whose would it be?

The reality is . . .

Thanks for clearing up what is real and what is fake.

I literally (insert verb)

As in, “I literally exploded.” If pieces of you aren’t stuck on the ceiling, you didn’t literally explode.

I actually (invert verb)

As in, “I actually fainted.” If the paramedics weren’t called, you didn’t literally faint.

It’s all good.

No it isn’t. That phrase bugs me.

If you are interested, I did two posts (ages ago) on my grammar/usage pet peeves here and here.