When it comes to understanding your characters and telling a story readers can’t put down, word choice is crucial. In this third video in my series on my writing process, we talk about how I avoid repetitive language in my stories. I include both how I keep track of words or phrases I might overuse, as well as how finding what I’m trying to communicate is about more than simply finding synonyms.
Hello! Jane Cleland here, talking about process.
The question was, “How do you write your books?”
Great question. I’m making the important distinction between process and content. In this YouTube shorty, I want to talk about how I strive to come up with fresh ways of saying things.
I worry that I get into a habit of using the same word for the same general idea. Words like “bright,” “sparkly.” You can only have one “sparkly” in a book. Just saying. Could be “grab,” “clutch,” “grasp.” Those are similar words meaning similar things. Do I use them too often?
So what I do is I keep a list. I have a big sheet of paper on my desk and when I use one and it tickles a little thing, “You know, I think I’m using this a lot.” I just write the word down. One of the very last steps of revision I do is I go through my words one by one, and I check each time I’m using a word and see if there’s a better way to say it.
Now this is going beyond looking for synonyms. What I’m doing is asking myself, “What am I trying to express?” “What is this character actually, what’s in their head as they’re doing that thing?” Is it a grasp? Is it a clutch? If they’re pulling it away? Are they really wrenching it away? What’s the difference between a wrench away and a yank? These are important considerations that help me get to know my characters better.
I know, I said it’s one of the last revisions. I try to do it as I’m writing. But character motivations really need nuance. And I don’t mind doing that at every step along the writing process. I keep making it better, stronger, tighter.
What do you do? How do you work to avoid duplicate language and duplicate motivations? I’d love to read about your ideas in the comments section. Please leave them. And if this YouTube shorty had value for you, would you like it? Would you share it? Would you subscribe to the channel? That opens up additional features for us. Lets us make these even more valuable for you.
Thanks!
*Transcripts are software-generated. To report any transcription errors, please use my contact form!
