Comments on: “Smirk”, and other words to avoid

By: Rissa Watkins

Rissa Watkins — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 18:53:29 +0000

Sorry wasn't thinking when I mentioned it. Here is the link. I used the demo version so it's free- but you only get 20 chances to use it I think. http://www.cliches.biz/clichecleaner/index.html

By: Kate

Kate — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 17:09:47 +0000

The key to remember with these words isn't that they ALL have to go — to respond to Ria, sometimes the simplest word is the best, and you can have your characters "nod", "Smirk", and "shrug". But it's when they're OVERUSED that you need to be wary. Not every find-and-replace needs to result in changing the word, but it gives you something to consider changing, if you need to.

By: Suzanne Casamento

Suzanne Casamento — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 16:36:30 +0000

One of the writers in my critique group pointed out that my main character "bolted" a lot. She bolted up in bed, down the hall, across the lawn, to the front door. I used the find function in Word and found (and replaced) it 19 times!

Thank goodness for critique groups.

By: Mary

Mary — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 15:52:32 +0000

I laughed when I saw this because I have a good friend I beta for who uses that word in relation to her protagonist. I've tried persuading her that the word is best left for the evil characters, if she simply must use it. As soon as I read about her strong, handsome mc smirking, I want to slap him. Blech! Good guys should never smirk!

As far as overusing words, I noticed that my characters nod a lot. They are very agreeable, apparently.

By: Abby Stevens

Abby Stevens — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 10:19:29 +0000

I agree, Ria. I think the trick is just not overusing anything to the point it becomes distracting. Then again, whoever that editor is could just be very picky. I am not entirely certain that the author would have to comply with the editor's note (?).

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 09:11:28 +0000

My lead male character does an awful lot of shrugging! I'll have to go work on that.

Also, Rissa, can you please display the link for the cliche cleaner you spoke of? I am very interested in trying it out. I Googled (naturally), but only found one, and it isn't free. I will take the other suggestions and use Wordle. I'm eagerly trying to condense my novel at the moment.

By: Alicia

Alicia — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 08:45:54 +0000

My characters are forever rolling their eyes and heaving sighs at each other. How annoying!

This post and all the comments were awesome – I now have a whole list to search for when I get to the polishing stage. Thanks!

By: Rachel

Rachel — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 07:37:43 +0000

After reading this post, I went home and searched for the above mentioned words in my manuscript. I had some version of "look" 300 times! I was able to remove 250. I only had smirk 5 times, so my characters do a lot of staring at each other with little sarcastic grinning. Thanks for the tips!

By: Julia

Julia — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 07:35:44 +0000

*reads comments*

*slinks back to computer to do major word replacements*

By: Ria

Ria — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 07:32:19 +0000

You know, I nod a lot in conversation. I shrug, I smile, I duck my head, I cross my arms, and yes, I smirk…I mean, this is important nonverbal stuff that goes on. I appreciate the concept behind scrubbing them out of your narration, but for heaven's sake, what else are we supposed to do? Employ Harlequin-purple prose and start saying "he lowered his chin to his chest and raised it again sharply to indicate agreement"? People nod! Can I not let them do it in fiction?