Wordy Phrases and How to Find Them #MFRWauthor #amediting @kayelleallen

I'm going to wear my editor hat today and share tips I use on finding words that don't work as hard as you want them to. Every writer has pet phrases used to get the story from the head to the screen (or paper) such as "she rolled her eyes" or "he wet his lips." Some phrases are clichés; others are stock fillers we use while we're developing a scene. We figure we'll edit them later.

The problem is, we forget they're there. They become part of the background noise, and we fail to see them. Sometimes, even helpful words can slow down our writing, and take away the punch of a well-written sentence. How do we find them when they become invisible because we've seen them too often?

One good way is to use a program like SmartEdit. This software provides things such as an adverb list, repeated phrases, words, and usage of clichés. It shows dialogue tags and more. The Author's Secret is not affiliated with them, but I recently found this program myself and feel it's tightened up and strengthened my writing. I recommend it.

While a program is helpful, a simple list of your own no-no words will come in handy. I compiled a list of oft-used phrases that author friends report are their crutch words. Some of them are mine too. Here's the list. 

Phrases to Consider

Substitute gender pronouns (his/her, etc.) when searching.

• all the (also all of the)
• back against
• back to the
• be able
• both arms / hands
• can't wait
• come to
• did you
• do you think / want / need
• ducked his head
• every part of
• going to
• have no (look for: have no time, have no idea, have no reason, etc.)
• he opened / pulled
• his cheek
• his fingers / fingertips / hands
• I have
• I / you want
• I / you will
• look at
• on the floor
• outside of (outside is fine on its own)
• up against
• wet his/her lips
• you want (also look for what you want, what he/she wants, etc.)

Whatever you write, don't forget to run a spell check, and have a peer check your work. A good editor can help you find and eliminate crutch words, and suggest precise language, but your own experience and attention to detail can make their job easier, and save you money in editing fees.

Do you have a list of your own? Feel free to tell us about it in the comments. If you've found this post helpful, please share it on your social media.
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Bringer of Chaos: the Origin of Pietas
YA (older young adult), action adventure, science fiction, military science fiction, genetic engineering, space opera, space marineHeat level: Mainstream
Download the first full chapter.

Two enemy warriors: one human, one immortal. Different in belief, alike in spirit, marooned together on an alien world.

Imprisoned and in isolation over a year without food or water, the immortal Pietas survives. Though broken in body, his intellect and will are intact, thanks to Six, the special ops warrior who captured him, but kept him sane. The warrior had no hand in his deprivation and, like Pietas, was betrayed by his own kind. When Pietas is abandoned on an alien world with nothing but his honor--and Six--he must find and rejoin other immortal exiles. After centuries of war, Pietas detests humans and kills them on sight, but he is too damaged to continue on his own. Though he despises needing help, he allows Six to nurture and restore him to full strength, and then accompany him. As they cross the planet together on foot, the immortal begins to wonder if he has found his first human friend, or if Six is loyal only because Pietas could keep the others from tearing him to shreds. This human will either be his closest living friend, or the one whose betrayal will trigger all-out vengeance by the most powerful immortal ever born.

Immortal. Warrior. Outcasts. Traitors took everything. Except their honor.
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Amazon http://amzn.to/1R8DAbb
Amazon print http://amzn.to/1SSmueB
CreateSpace http://bit.ly/boc-origin-cspGoodreads http://bit.ly/boc1-good
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Meet the Authors of Marketing for Romance Writers - Monthly Retweet Day #MFRWauthor

Retweet Day for #MFRWauthor - Join the fun

For this month's Retweet Day on Twitter, we'd like to invite all Marketing for Romance Writers to set up tweets for their books.

Go into Twitter and create a tweet . Make sure to use #MFRWauthor or MFRW_Org

Once the tweet has been posted. Click on the ... (three dots) in the right hand corner.

This will give you the option to (copy link to tweet). Copy this link and put it in the comment section of this post.

Remember to visit the blog on May 11, and retweet everyone on the list.


 Also in an effort to help people find tweets to share of yours, click the ...(three dots) again and pin your tweet to your profile page. This will give you a count of how many people retweeted your post.


Don't forget  and Rules

1. Have #MFRWauthor or #MFRW_org in the tweet. (This retweet day is to promote each other and our group.)

2. Do not use profanity or sexual explicit graphics. Keep it clean for all age groups.

3. Return on Retweet Day and  click on each link and share everyone's post on twitter.

 Here's to a great day of retweets,


Tina Gayle

What is Marketing for Romance Writers? #MFRWauthor #MFRWorg @MFRW_ORG

Marketing for Romance Writers (MFRW) is a peer-oriented mentoring group open to the entire literary community. Here, you can ask marketing-related questions, or request help, advice, or opinions. You can learn how to create a professional image and use it effectively, as well as ask for opportunities to join other authors in promotional efforts. You can learn the business aspects of writing.

Marketing for Romance Writers promotes for its members on most social media. Get your book cover pinned on one of the MFRW Pinterest boards, and show off your cover models. The hashtags #MFRWauthor #MFRWorg and #MFRWhooks promote for you on Twitter. Monthly Retweet days allow members to share tweets, resulting in a larger exposure on Twitter. Bloggers can join the weekly BookHooks bloghop. Triberr, the blog amplifier, has multiple MFRW tribes bloggers can join. A Goodreads group features members' books and provides discussion. MFRW was founded in 2006 by Kayelle Allen, who heads the group to this day, guiding its direction and overseeing the numerous volunteer staff members that help it run.

Join Us

Mentoring group http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MarketingForRomanceWriters/

Website http://marketingforromancewriters.org

Twitter http://twitter.com/MFRW_ORG #MFRWauthor #MFRWorg #MFRWhooks

Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/mfrworg (info)

Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/mfrwauthors/ (promo)

Pinterest http://www.pinterest.com/mfrworg/

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/32186433-mfrw

LinkedIn https://linkedin.com/company/marketing-for-romance-writers-organization/

MFRW Blog http://mfrw.blogspot.com (marketing posts)

MFRW Authors http://mfrw-authors.blogspot.com (promo posts)

Triberr (Blog Tribes) http://triberr.com/mfrworg

If you have questions about marketing your books, join us. The MFRW motto is "seek, teach, share, learn, succeed." Services and membership are free.

If you're a member of MFRW, feel free to leave a comment showing how the group has helped you.
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Kayelle Allen is a best selling American author. Her unstoppable heroes and heroines include contemporary every day folk, role-playing immortal gamers, futuristic covert agents, and warriors who purr. She is the founder of Marketing for Romance Writers, and owner of The Author's Secret.
Homeworld https://kayelleallen.com
Twitter https://twitter.com/kayelleallen
Facebook https://facebook.com/kayelleallen.author

Retweet Day for #MFRWauthor - Join the fun

For this month's Retweet Day on Twitter, we'd like to invite all Marketing for Romance Writers to set up tweets for their books.

Go into Twitter and create a tweet. Once the tweet has been posted. Click on the ... (three dots) in the right hand corner.


This will give you the option to (copy link to tweet). Copy this link and put it in the comment section of this post.


Also in an effort to help people find tweets to share of yours, click the ...(three dots) again and pin your tweet to your profile page. This will give you a count of how many people retweeted your post.


Don't forget

On April 13, click on each link and share everyone's post on twitter. Also, make sure to have #MFRWauthor in the tweet.


Here's to a great day of retweets,


Tina Gayle

Blog Challenges: What NOT to Blog About @kayelleallen #AtoZchallenge #MFRWauthor

What should you blog about? Anything you want. Whatever you're passionate about. All the topics that interest you. Is there anything you should not talk about? No. Not really. Then what do I mean by a title that says "what NOT to blog about"? It's not so much the "what" as it is the "how."

Talk about anything you please, but stop and consider why you're blogging before you start. For example, have you accepted a blog challenge? This is a writing exercise in which you blog on certain days or with specific themes. We've all seen these challenges: Thursday Thirteen, Manic Monday, and of course, blog hops where everyone follows a theme or uses a specific hashtag. I want to talk to you today about the #AtoZchallenge.

When you write your blog posts, remember the reasons for accepting a challenge.

1. To get in the habit of blogging

2. To bring readers to your blog

3. To show readers your writing skills

4. To hone your writing skills

Therefore, if you decide to blog, accept the challenge, and do it right. Don't bore your readers. You want them to think you are a good writer, not one who takes the easy way out and writes cookie cutter posts. What do I mean? Look at these #AtoZChallenge posts:

A is for Anxiety

B is for Books

C is for Cookies

The real show stopper? This one: "Day 2 is on the blog"

No, I am not kidding you. Those are actually on Twitter right now in the #AtoZChallenge. Do you not agree that these titles sound like grade school lessons? They reflect writers who take the easy road. Would you dash over to Amazon and buy a book by someone who does that?

Please don't make yourself look like a lazy writer with posts and titles like this. Be creative. Wouldn't you prefer to read these?

How to control your thinking #AtoZChallenge on #Wellness A is for Affirmation

Have You Met My Amazing Inspiration?

Vistors from Beyond - the Bannik in the Bathhouse

Bad Girls Book Club Letter B

Show the world you are creative and interesting. Take the time to make your post and title worth the effort you will spend doing the project. I challenge you.

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Kayelle Allen is a best selling American author. Her unstoppable heroes and heroines include contemporary every day folk, role-playing immortal gamers, futuristic covert agents, and warriors who purr. Her latest book is Bringer of Chaos: the Origin of Pietas. She is currently involved in a personal blog challenge: #ChaosIsComing which is 30 Days of Chaos for the release of the book.