Crutch Words

 You can often eliminate the word "there" to make your writing tighter.

https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/most-common-mistakes-series-are-you/

Trim Your Writing

When you revise, cut the unnecessary words from your manuscript.

https://writersinthestormblog.com/2026/04/want-stronger-writing-start-writing-less/

Vague Catchalls

 Use precise language and avoid vague catchalls in your writing.

https://nathanbransford.com/blog/2025/02/stamp-out-vague-catchalls-in-your-writing

Common Phrases

 Find and delete these common phrases from your manuscript.

https://nathanbransford.com/blog/2025/11/find-and-delete-these-phrases-from-your-novel

Onomatopoeia

Using onomatopoeia as a repetitive device moves your story forward.

 https://celebratescience.blogspot.com/2025/11/the-joy-of-onomatopoeia.html

Inventing Words

 There's nothing wrong with inventing words in your writing.

https://theeditorsblog.net/2012/07/02/thats-not-a-real-word/

Tightening Text

 What words can you cut to tighten up your book?

https://nathanbransford.com/blog/2021/08/what-to-cut-when-your-book-is-too-long

Precision in Writing

 Avoid vague catchalls, like "this" or "it" in your writing.

https://nathanbransford.com/blog/2025/02/stamp-out-vague-catchalls-in-your-writing

Repeated Words

 Do you repeat words for effect or do you repeat them unintentionally?

https://scbwi.blogspot.com/2025/03/what-words-do-you-repeat-are-you-doing.html

Juicy Verbs

 Enliven your writng with juicy verbs.

https://emmawaltonhamilton.com/blog/enliven-your-writing-with-juicy-verbs

Concrete Nouns

 Using concrete nouns will strengthen your story.

https://emmawaltonhamilton.com/blog/strengthen-your-story-with-concrete-nouns/

Word Choice

 Your word choice, especially in picture books, enhances your story's impact and precision.

https://emmawaltonhamilton.com/blog/the-power-of-word-choice-editing-for-precision-and-impact-in-picture-books/

Wordiness in Picture Books

 Here are some shortcuts to avoid wordiness in picture books.

https://www.goodstorycompany.com/blog/wordiness-in-picture-books

Word Choice

 The wrong word choice can hurt your writing.

http://blog.janicehardy.com/2016/11/14-words-that-are-hurting-your-writing.html

Weak Words

Eliminate some of these common weak words to make your story stronger.

http://blog.janicehardy.com/2013/02/five-edits-to-strengthen-your-writing.html

Puns

 Here are some hints for using wordplay in your writing.

https://scbwi.blogspot.com/2024/01/a-pun-in-oven-how-to-give-birth-to.html

Filter Words

 Filter words distance your reader from your characters and story.

https://writersrumpus.com/2023/12/01/editing-tip-ditch-most-filter-words/

Fluff Words

 Get rid of these fluffy, unnecessary words that slow down your story.

https://writersinthestormblog.com/2022/08/fix-fluff-words-fillers-for-writers-to-avoid/

Gender-Neutral Pronouns

 If your character's pronouns aren't he or she, it's no big deal to use their preferred pronouns.

https://cmosshoptalk.com/2021/04/20/gender-neutral-pronouns-in-creative-writing/

Overused Words

 We all have those words that we us over and over again in our manuscripts, so here's a list to help you find them.

https://larawillard.com/2015/11/17/words-to-delete/#wordlist