I know we talk about this subject a lot, but it’s worth repeating every now and then!
Choosing one strong word instead of two weaker ones will help you:
- engage your readers
- cut out the need for an adverb
- help to keep the pace going.
Here are some quick examples:
- He rode quickly away
- He galloped away. That’s better!
- Grandma walked slowly round the shop.
- Grandma wandered round the shop. Or shuffled, maybe?
- Theo wrote untidily on a piece of paper.
- Theo scribbled on a piece of paper. This one has more urgency to it, don’t you think?
- Ricky looked at Olivia for a while.
- Hmm. What about glared at or stared at? Or observed? You might need to find another more convincing word, that will fulfil the purpose more exactly.
Anyway, you get the point! Why not read through your work in progress and see if there’s anything you could change?
And I’ll see you next week!
Janet