The Right Words

A reader asked me recently how much time I spend choosing the “right” words.

The answer got me thinking about words. They are the author’s paintbrush. We can and do create visual images in the reader’s mind with the right word or words.

Consider the following:

“He walked into the room.” Okay, that’s pretty generic.

How about one of the following instead?

“He sauntered into the room.” See someone different? Maybe someone a bit more cocky?

“He slouched into the room.” I see a loose-limbed teenager when I read this. How about you?

“He sidled into the room.” Hmmm… Is he sneaky? Cautious? Worried?

“He ran into the room.” This dude is in a hurry.

“He strode into the room.” Okay, this guy has confidence and purpose.

See what I mean? Changing one word, in this instance, the verb, paints a completely different picture in the readers mind of the individual entering the room.

Another thing that paints pictures is what we call a “beat,” a physical action of the individual instead of a “tag” (he said, she said).

Consider –

Sheryl stepped back. “What do you mean?”

Doesn’t that make you see her caught off guard? It’s a whole lot better than “What do you mean?” Sheryl asked— which doesn’t really tell us she’s surprised.

Okay, I can’t resist one more.

He reached up to brush her hair back from her face.

She stopped him with a word. “Don’t.”

After a moment, he turned to leave, and she hung her head.

Wow. Lots just happened. He wants to reach out to her, but she won’t let him. Then when he leaves, she’s sad.

So, to wrap it up, this was a long answer to a short question. My short answer? How much time do I spend choosing the right word?

All of it.