#hedgewords — Public Fediverse posts

Gah! The hardest part of #revision and #writing is the searching for and replacing words like "just" and "almost." My eyes glaze over, I start sweeping the floor, and posting on Mastodon...

#goForTheJoke #Procrastination to the max!

#weaselwords #hedgeWords: https://eldritch.cafe/@sfwrtr/109848411474463991

Here's some #writingAdvice: Create a list of problem words that flag problems in your writing as you #revise. Here's my list of #hedgeWords and #weaselWords.

(Reply with yours! I'll add them. Boost to share with others.)

• about (as in approximately)
• almost
• “and” conjunction run-ons. Could you break that sentence into two and save the conjunction?
• already
• barely
• begin
• “but” conjunction run-ons. Could you break that sentence and two and still provide the same contrast?
• can (in the sense of maybe)
• certainly
• generally
• I/he saw that (If the act of observation is paramount, don’t remove, don't remove such constructions.)
• I/he heard that
• I/he read that
• I/he felt that
• I/he noticed that
• I/he recognized that
• just
• kind of
• like
• maybe
• mostly
• near (in the sense of almost)
• of course
• one (in the sense of quantity when stating such is unnecessary)
• one (as a pronoun—generally sounds bad)
• perhaps
• possibly
• potentially (in the sense of maybe)
• probably
• really (the interject
• seems
• some (in the sense of indeterminate)
• sort of
• start, started to
• still
• surprisingly
• that (a latinate construction that can often be omitted when used to introduce a subordinate clause, but not always. Comprehension is paramount.)
• usually
• you can (verb)

My biggest bugaboos are words that soften (hedge) the impact of a sentence or keep the narrator from (weaselly) committing to action. Both kill effective narration, as the narrator knows all tells what's necessary. Careful, though. Such word mimic normal speech, as between subordinate and dominant people and in cautious conversation.

When you find these words, stop and examine the context of the word.

• Does the word serve a purpose? If not, delete. I suggest removing it provisionally; this makes it clear.
• Can a strong word substitute? If, substitute.
• Is something lost if the word, phrase, or sentence is removed? If not, delete.
• Can a previous sentence imply what this one does? (Ellipsis)
• Will recasting the sentence clarify or strength the it?

A good list should transform your prose, turning hesitancy to decisive action. Deleting these words removes verbiage, making your writing concise and hard-edged. Each and every word must serve a purpose, whether functional or aesthetic.

#boostingIsSharing

#amRevising #writing #fiction #writingLife

@MichaelPryor This is my life as I #amrevising, along with about, almost, barely, begin, but, certainly, generally, I saw/felt/heard/read/thought that, kind of, maybe, mostly, near, of course, one (indefinite pronoun), perhaps, potentially, possibly, probably, really, some, sort of, started, still, that, usually, and you can. These are my weasel and hedge words. Makes you want a macro language in your word processor to help you find them, don't it!

Sadly, I don't smoke.

#writingLife #writing #weaselWords #hedgeWords