Tuesday, September 30, 2014

WORDS TO AVOID BY RITA KARNOPP

Common sense should tell us when we can or can’t use certain words.  I’ll bet your inner voice will caution you when you’ve typed a ‘dirty word’ and your character woudn’t have said it.  Know your genre and what words aren’t allow.  A lack of knowledge on your part will sabatage your career?
Certain magazines and publishers don’t allow many common-place words such as ‘edgy,’ ‘workaholic,’ or even ‘super-woman.’  Ask your editor if he/she has a ‘no-words’ list – they’re usually quite vocal about it. 
We’re a society of jargon, empty words, rambling on, and endless clichés.  It’s an inevitable way to get your manuscript tossed in the rejection pile.
Some tips to follow – that just might keep an editor from rejecting your book?
  • Unless it’s pivitol for your character – avoid slang altogether. Think about it, slang is timely and will only date your book.
  • Pay attention to the words you use – and be sure to use the correct one.
  • We’ve heard this said many times – because it’s true – adjectives and adverbs are empty words, don’t use them.
  • If you can cut a word(s) and maintain the meaning of the sentence – do it.
  • Best tip I can give you – cut all clichés from your work.  You might think they sound clever, but your reader won’t.

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