One of the things I notice when reading drafts (or even published novels!) is the repetition of words: 'He ran up the stairs, ran down the landing, and ran into the room.'
Does that not sound better as : 'He ran up the stairs, raced down the landing, and sprinted into the room.' ?
Think about your words - it is fine to say 'said' - but not again, and again - how about mumbled, shouted, cried, whispered? All words that also convey a character's emotion,
Can you hear the difference between : 'You are a fool!' he shouted, and 'You are a fool!' he laughed. ?
So different words can completely change the meaning of a sentence.
Several years ago I made myself a word list - please feel free to use it as and when you wish.
LOOK | ||||
Inspect | behold | check | examine | contemplate |
Eye | feast | gaze | glance | observe |
Consider | peep | recce | regard | scan |
See | scrutinise | study | survey | dekko |
View | watch | clock | gawk | gawp |
Glower | goggle | ogle | gape | stare |
Peer | butchers | gander | glimpse | review |
Shufti | once-over | sight | squint | |
MOVE | ||||
Advance | budge | change | stir | go |
Trot | March | proceed | progress | shift |
Jog | storm | stamp | push | elbow |
RUN | ||||
Canter | lope | scamper | take off | slope off |
Career | bolt | dash | dart | gallop |
Hare | hasten | high-tail | hot foot | hurry |
Leg it | race | scramble | scud | scurry |
Speed | sprint | abscond | rush | clear out |
Beat | bolt | decamp | depart | escape |
Flee | fly | scarper | skedaddle | trample |
AMBLE | ||||
Dawdle | meander | stroll | walk | wander |
Drift | saunter | ramble | mosey | |
PAIN | ||||
Alarm | apprehension | dread | horror | panic |
Fear/fright | terror | nightmare | agitation | distress |
Afraid | scared | shudder | tremble | intimidation |
Harrowing | horrendous | ache | cramp | discomfort |
Hurt | soreness | spasm | suffering | throb |
Agony | anguish | torment | injure | wretchedness |
SAID | ||||
Snapped | screeched | groaned | laughed | comforted |
Rebuked | tormented | sneered | howled | opined |
Coaxed | commanded | sniped | spluttered | grizzled |
Quipped | vowed | bragged | jeered | grumbled |
Begged | burbled | soothed | boasted | roared |
Shouted | wept | began | chivvied | called |
Exclaimed | demanded | babbled | chortled | persisted |
Exhorted | growled | taunted | wheezed | carolled |
Advised | stated | sniggered | hissed | wailed |
Giggled | enquired | directed | bellowed | snarled |
Stammered | joked | queried | announced | snorted |
Screamed | sighed | teased | quoted | jibed |
Pontificated | grunted | blurted | praised | continued |
Expostulated | railed | stormed | mumbled | enthused |
Appealed | interrupted | mocked | hollered | gasped |
Expounded | rejoined | insisted | yelled | insinuated |
Sobbed | added | offered | expanded | raged |
Shrieked | prayed | remarked | answered | declared |
Lied | exploded | cried | confided | suggested |
Informed | inferred | flashed | prattled | hinted |
Intoned | chided | retorted | asserted | moaned |
Asked | whispered | explained | spat | countered |
Stuttered | replied | breathed | gusted | maintained |
Protested | sulked | complained |
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