| Choose Your Words and Style | | | | Proper Word Choice and Style |
| A common mistake among beginners in novel | | | | A writer's choice of words is very important. It |
| writing is that they tend to use too many | | | | reflects the writer's skill, knowledge and expertise |
| adverbs - usually words that end with -ly. Too | | | | of the English language. A poor word choice will |
| many adverbs tire readers. You have to choose | | | | discourage your readers from reading your novel. |
| an appropriate verb which carries more impact. | | | | Procedural novels or medical thrillers are concrete |
| Most beginners think that adverbs improve the | | | | examples. If a writer succeeds in using precise |
| reader's understanding towards the character's | | | | verbs when taking account of the procedures, he |
| action however it is not true. Too many adverbs | | | | gives an impression of expertise and knowledge |
| will more likely annoy the readers. So instead, it is | | | | on the topic. Moreover, proper word choice will |
| better to choose your verbs carefully. | | | | make the plot more real to the reader and he will |
| The English language continues to evolve; other | | | | become more involved in the story. |
| nouns are being used as verbs. | | | | Your target audience is also a factor in your word |
| How to Find and Replace Adverbs | | | | choice and writing style. If you are targeting a |
| A search feature is usually available in word | | | | younger age group, then you should use simple |
| processors. Because most adverbs end in -ly it is | | | | words that can be easily understood. You may |
| very easy to find them. | | | | use more technical words when targeting a more |
| 1. In the search box, type "ly." | | | | mature audience. |
| 2. Highlight all the words ending in -ly. | | | | If you want to write a novel effectively, |
| 3. Then go back and think about each one. | | | | remember to consider your choice of words. This |
| 4. Make use of a dictionary or thesaurus to | | | | is an element which could significantly affect your |
| choose a more precise verb. | | | | audience's response towards your story. |