10 WEAK WORDS You Should CUT from Your Novel

Summary

In this 'Writer's Life Wednesdays' episode, Abbi discusses the importance of eliminating weak words from your novel to strengthen prose. She identifies ten common words that often weaken writing and provides examples of when to cut them and when they might be necessary. Abbi emphasizes the need for balance, reminding viewers that dialogue should remain realistic and character-voiced. She also touches on the use of adverbs, suggesting they can be a subtle form of passive voice. The video is a helpful guide for writers looking to refine their editing process and improve their storytelling.

Takeaways

• 📝 The video discusses the importance of eliminating weak words from writing to strengthen prose and storytelling.
• 🔍 Abbi provides a behind-the-scenes look at her line editing process and emphasizes the need to cut out weak words.
• 👀 She introduces a list of ten 'weakest and most pathetic words' that writers should consider removing from their novels.
• ✂️ The video explains that while these words are often cut, there are instances where they can be appropriate and should be kept.
• 🗣️ Abbi clarifies that weak words in dialogue are usually acceptable as they contribute to realistic character voices.
• 📚 She shares her research on weak words, which she compiled from various sources into a list to help with editing.
• 🚫 The first weak word 'suddenly' should be used sparingly to maintain the element of surprise in the narrative.
• 🔄 The word 'then' is often unnecessary as it serves as filler in sentences, but can be kept when it bridges actions and highlights differences.
• 💪 'Very' and 'really' are advised to be cut in favor of stronger, more specific words, unless they fit naturally in certain contexts.
• 🚫 The passive voice word 'was' often indicates a lack of action and can be replaced with more active language.
• 🏁 The word 'started' is usually unnecessary and can be removed to create a cleaner, more direct sentence.
• 🙅‍♀️ 'Just' is frequently overused and should be cut when it doesn't change the meaning of the sentence.
• 🔍 'Somewhat' and 'slightly' are often too weak and can be replaced with more precise language.
• 🤔 The use of 'somehow' can imply missing information and should be replaced with a clearer explanation.
• 🤷‍♀️ 'Seem' is a telltale sign of showing rather than telling and should be replaced with more descriptive action.
• 📢 'Definitely' is often redundant and can be removed without losing meaning from the sentence.
• 📘 Adverbs ending in 'ly' can weaken prose and should be scrutinized for necessity and replaced with stronger verbs when possible.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the 'Writer's Life Wednesdays' video?

The main topic of the video is identifying and discussing the ten weakest words that should be considered for removal from a novel to strengthen the writing, unless they serve a specific purpose.

Why did Abbi create a list of weak words?

Abbi created a list of weak words after conducting extensive editing research, collecting them from various sources online, and determining which ones are worth focusing on during the editing process.

How does Abbi approach the use of weak words in dialogue?

Abbi disregards weak words in dialogue because she values realistic character voice, and people in real life do not always use perfect, strong words when they speak.

What is Abbi's rule of thumb for using the word 'suddenly'?

Abbi suggests using 'suddenly' sparingly and only when something is genuinely sudden, to avoid losing the element of surprise for the reader.

Why is the word 'then' considered a weak word in writing?

'Then' is considered a weak word because it is often used as filler and does not contribute to the flow of cause-and-effect in a narrative.

What is the issue with using 'very' or 'really' in descriptions?

Using 'very' or 'really' in descriptions is problematic because they do not strengthen the word they modify; instead, they often weaken the overall impact of the description.

How does Abbi suggest dealing with the word 'was' in writing?

Abbi suggests cutting 'was' when it is used in passive voice and replacing it with active voice to make the writing more engaging and dynamic.

What is the problem with starting sentences with 'started to'?

Starting sentences with 'started to' can be an issue because it often indicates a lack of action or completion, making the writing less engaging.

Why should the word 'just' be used cautiously in writing?

'Just' should be used cautiously because it can be overused and is often unnecessary, but it can be appropriate as a limiter or an indicator of time in certain contexts.

What is the issue with using 'somewhat' or 'slightly' in descriptions?

Using 'somewhat' or 'slightly' can be problematic because they may indicate a lack of precision or unnecessary nuance in the description, making it less effective.

How does Abbi approach the use of the word 'seem' in writing?

Abbi advises to cut 'seem' when it can be replaced with actions that show how a character perceives something, but it can be kept when the character's intuition is telling them something.

Why is 'definitely' often considered a weak word?

'Definitely' is often considered weak because it can come across as the narrator insisting on a fact in a dry way that slows down the reading experience.

What is Abbi's advice on using adverbs in writing?

Abbi suggests being cautious with adverbs as they can make prose bland and are a subtle way that passive voice can sneak into writing. She recommends changing adverbs to verbs to make the writing more impactful.

How can writers identify and edit weak words in their manuscripts?

Writers can use tools like the Hemingway app to highlight adverbs, passive voice, and other issues in their writing, helping them to identify and edit weak words more effectively.