The Power of Words



I'm still learning how important word choice is as a writer. Ever struggle for the proper word? Use a word that fits, but know it isn't the one you're looking for? Maybe it's a word you overuse way too much?

I must have used the word "look" in my manuscript about a million times! It's the go-to word for, um, er, uh, "look." But there's also glance, eye, ogle, gaze, glimpse, leer, view, observe, watch, scrutinize, stare. You get the picture. Even after going through the thesaurus for "look" synonyms, "look" almost always seems like the best choice.  Because I haven't found the word that fits yet, or the right/best way to say it.

This video says it all: 

Q:  What did you do to my sign?

A:  I wrote the same, but different words.

I'm not plugging this company, have never used this company or ever had contact with them. They are online content specialists, but look what they can do with the words!

I know the talent to finding the perfect words for telling a story will come with experience. But it really is fun to change something up and find how much better it sounds. When that happens, I know why I love to write!

Do you ever struggle with finding the right word and how to say it? Any tricks of the trade that work for you? Please share with the rest of us!