I hope the title is clear.
It's a problem I encounter everytime I'm writing a horror story or a short story where some suspense is needed.
I find myself using too much of "suddenly", "all of at once", "unexpectedly", at places where they all seem necessary.
So I don't know what's the solution. Rather than keep on using more synonyms or to learn to decrease the occurences of
Thanks ALHAD for the Ctrl+F. I've learnt something new and useful.
On the subject in discussion: I try not to use repetitive words, especially in the same sentence. So, words like (so, and suddenly, the next morning, etc), should I think, also be used sparingly.
I Try to read my stories from an independent point of view, and be very critical.
One solution I use with my writing, and when I'm checking other writer's writing is:
SO WHAT, or WHY.
i.e. Install energy reducing lamps. WHY? It was dark. SO WHAT. My stomach aches. SO WHAT.
All these sentences are missing something, an explanation.
Which takes me back to our question, and one way these types of words could be used.
Examples:
The night before I had been tired, and lethargic, whereas the next morning, I was feeling much better, and empowered. Or: Now I could see the way forward, and suddenly, I felt different, more alert, and motivated, and knew what action to take.
The above sentences containing these types of words, are more complete, and take the emphasis of the types of words in question.
Regards MN
Creativity is what it is all about. Remember the logical sequence; feeling (emotion), action, dialogue. Dialogue is optional and not always appropriate.
Good luck,
Al Sendall, This is the conclusion I've come to, and I have to be more creative to achieve it
Alhad Kulkarni, thanks for the guideline, but what about short stories, where the events are condensed ?