Improve Your Writing With Specific Action Verbs

General verbs like see, walk and run have their place in preschool books. But after that, they lose their effectiveness.

When you write, use verbs that describe the specific action that is happening. General verbs like walk require each reader to interpret what the action looks like. In contrast, specific action verbs help your readers envision the action that you—the writer—want them to see. You create and control the mood, tone, pulse and rhythm of your writing simply with the verbs you choose.

For example, read through the following sentences:
      Mary skipped into the store.
      Mary shuffled into the store.
      Mary strutted into the store.
     
Each sentence evokes a different image. By changing only one word—the verb—the action dramatically changes. Your prose comes alive! When Mary skips, your readers see her skipping. As a result, you exert more control over your reader’s experience. And your reader finds the writing more engaging.

Here are some simple steps to help you ensure you use specific action verbs.
1. As you read through your draft, circle each verb.
2. Read your draft out loud and when you come to a verb, envision the action you intended.
3. Ask yourself, does this verb show what I, the writer, see in my mind’s eye?
4. If it does, great. If not, ask yourself, what verbs could I use? Then make a list of the best ones.
5. Read the sentence using each of the verbs. Which verb most closely portrays what you see in your mind’s eye?
6. When you have selected a verb, read the sentence using this verb and ask yourself, is this the best verb I can choose?
7. Continue this process until you feel you've made a great choice.

Remember, this is not about perfection. If you search for the "perfect" verb, your writing will never make it into the world. However, when you go through this simple exercise, you will spice up your writing and increase your reader’s appreciation of what you have written. 

Writing from Source - Review of Inaugual Day Sessions

What do you call the power within you? I use the all-encompassing word "Source"  -- hence the name for the writing process I use to tap into it, Writing from Source.

During the inaugural day of the Writing from Source free teleseminar series (November 16), participants shared what they call their power and where they "feel" that power in their bodies.

Some of those names were Instinct, Inner Guide and Strength. Not everyone had a clear sense of where their power resides in their body. But several people felt their power in their heart area. Where is your power located in your body? 

Would you like to tap into your power for guidance and solutions? Come join the Survive the Holidays free Writing from Source teleseminar series every Tuesday. The sessions are complimentary. All you need to do is REGISTER.

Make Your Writing Process Easier: Part 3

Before creating any piece of writing, ask yourself the question, Who am I writing this for? Who is my ideal reader? The answer creates clarity that makes your writing flow with ease. The answer gives your writing focus. And it helps you speak directly to your readers with words, tone and style that resonate with them.

If you write without identifying your ideal reader, you are writing in a vacuum. You’re talking to yourself. And your writing won’t appeal to anyone except you. Of course, that’s fine if you don’t want anybody else to read it. For example, when I write in my journal, my writing is for me and no one else. I don’t want anyone else to read it. In fact, I would tear the journal out of their hands if I caught them reading it!

To identify your ideal reader, ask yourself who in your life represents the type of person you want to read your novel, essay or how to book. If you can come up with one person, great! If not, think in terms of gender, age range, values, concerns, likes and dislikes, outlook on life, and social and economic status. What’s most important to them? What makes them happy? What makes them mad?

Identifying your ideal reader can be challenging. At first, all you may see is a gray, amorphous blob. Keep looking for specifics. Then create a composite ideal reader. For example, your ideal reader could be working mothers seeking information on how to balance work and family. This ideal reader could be more specific, such as working mothers of toddlers or working mothers of teenagers.

Many writers get concerned that by identifying their ideal reader, they are excluding others who may be attracted to their work. Don’t worry. You’re not excluding them. They’ll find you if your writing resonates with them. But if you don’t identify your ideal reader and try to appeal to everyone, you’ll end up with bland, watered down writing. Your work will lack a distinctive tone, style and voice.  

After you have identified your ideal reader, direct your writing to them. Write as if you are talking with them over a cup of coffee. Do this and you’ll discover how much easier it is to write simply because you know who you’re writing for.

Now that you have answered all three questions — Why, What and Who — you have a solid foundation to launch your writing process and guide you to completion.

Make Your Writing Process Easier - Part 2

When someone asks you what the book or short story or article you're writing is about, can you tell them in a couple of short sentences? Can you say it in words they'll easily understand? (In other words, without using jargon or words you've coined for your story?)

No? Then you are missing another key piece of the foundation for your writing project. That key piece is your theme — your core message.

Stating your theme, or core message, in under 50 words gives you clarity. It provides you with a compass to guide your writing. When you can't describe your theme succinctly, it's easy to meander and take detours that muddle your writing. Having a theme keeps your writing focused so that each word, each point you make, each word propels the story forward and keeps the reader engaged.

To identify your theme, ask yourself this question: What? What am I writing about? Keep your description short — just a couple of sentences, under 50 words. And describe it in simple language you would use at a party or networking event. Then try it out on a trusted friend or associate. Do they get it?

In Part 3, we'll focus on the question, Who? When you answer all three questions — Why, What and Who — you will have a solid foundation to launch your writing process and guide you to completion.

Make Your Writing Process Easier: Part 1

Are you getting overwhelmed with your writing project? Chances are you left out a key piece in the writing process. But take heart — it's never too late.  

What's missing? The foundation to support your writing project. Your answers to three basic questions will build that foundation. The more thoroughly you answer them, the stronger your foundation will be.  

The questions are simple. Why? What? Who?
But only you know the answers.

Why?  Why are you writing this book, story or special report? Your answer will probably vary from one writing project to another. Why are you writing this one? Are you writing it to heighten your professional credibility? For a contest, publication, assignment? To chronicle your family history?

When you answer this question Why, be as thorough as possible. For example, if you are writing an article for a contest, what are all the reasons behind your decision to enter the contest. After you list those reasons, explore your Why even further with some more questions. For example, how will you feel after you submit your work? How will you feel if your entry wins an award? The more compelling your Why, the more you'll feel motivated to start writing and keep writing. 

Take time now to answer the question Why? 

In future posts, Part 2 will explore the question What? And Part 3 will explore the question Who?

When you answers the three questions Why, What and Who, you will have a solid foundation to launch your writing process and guide you to completion.

Instead of struggling, you can experience the joy of being in the flow!

3 Ways to Make Writing Easier For You

Writing doesn’t have to be a struggle, but all too often it is.  

The culprit? Starting to write before anchoring the process by answering these basic questions. 

• Why are you writing this essay, novel or how-to book?  Are you writing it for a contest, publication, assignment? To chronicle your family history? To heighten your professional credibility? To express your opinion about a topic dear to you? The more you understand your "why" and the more compelling your “why,” the easier it is to start and keep writing. 

• What are you writing about? Can you describe your theme in 25 to 50 words?  These few words serve as a helpful guide, especially if you get stuck or off track.  

• Who is the ideal reader? When you can envision your ideal reader, you can write as though speaking directly to him or her. The words start to flow naturally. 

Taking time upfront to answer the questions “why, what and who” will give you a solid base for launching your writing process and guiding you to completion. Instead of struggling, you may even find yourself experiencing the sheer joy of being in the flow!    

What's Your Wacky Word?

Wacky words are words that thrive in our vocabulary but don't exist in the dictionary. Or if they do, we use them incorrectly.

No matter how many books we've read, how many classes we've attended or how many stories we've written, we all have a wacky word. They live independent lives, undetected by us. Rarely do people discover them on their own. We only find out about our wacky word when someone else notices it — and is willing to tell us.

My wacky word was foilage. I had no idea it ran rampant in my vocabulary until a guy I was dating pointed it out to me. I was lucky because I found out from a friend instead of from an editor or a client. And he was gentle about correcting me. He joked, "You've got foil on your mind from working all those years for the Aluminum Company of America."

That conversation is etched in my mind — and I've pronounced and written foliage correctly ever since. If he hadn't told me, foilage would probably still be in my vocabulary. (Truth is, I still prefer the sound of foilage.) I wonder how many other wacky words I have? I'll have to get bold and ask.

What's YOUR wacky word?