Not All Words Are Equal
Replacing weak words with strong ones will enliven your stories
Some words evoke a strong reaction; others hum along and are barely noticed. Stronger words convey more exact meaning. They will add depth and color to your story, leading to more vivid imagery. The best writers continuously seek strong words to replace weak ones.
The exception to exchanging a “weak” word for another is when using dialogue tags. In this case, ”he said” or “she said” is fine and often preferred to words such as “exclaimed.” Precision and mood should be conveyed in the narrative or dialogue itself rather than the tags.
Check out the dozen examples below. This is a small selection of words that, given the proper context, could refine your meaning and add energy to your stories.
steal > take
creep > move
stroll > walk
reveal > explain
sprint > run
explode > increase
construct > make
whisper > say
stare > look
bestow > give
reflect > think
demand > ask
There are so many others out there, waiting to enhance and sharpen your writing. This is when a dictionary or thesaurus should become your best friend.