This month’s writing exercise is the use of “Thought” Verbs from CHUCK PALAHNIUK craft essay. https://litreactor.com/team/chuck-palahniuk
If we stop using “thought” verbs we would stop telling and will be better writers.
THOUGHT VERBS include:
Thinks, Knows, Understands, Realizes, Believes, Wants, Remembers, Imagines, Desires, Forgets, Loves, Hates and Wonders
Thinking is abstract and Knowing and believing are intangible.
Stick to specific sensory detail such as: - action, smell, taste, sound and feeling
Instead of characters knowing anything, you present the details that allow the reader to know them.
Instead of a character wanting something, you describe it so the reader wants it.
No “thought” verbs at the beginning of paragraphs they state the intention of the paragraph. And what follows, illustrates them. An opening “idea statement” steals the thunder of what follows.
Show the physical actions and details of your characters.
Your story is stronger if you let your reader to do the thinking, knowing, loving and hating.
Make your case like a lawyer in court, detail by detail. Present each piece of evidence.
Don’t tell your reader: “Lisa hated Tom.” Show reader.
Don’t leave your characters alone to think or worry or wonder.
A character alone lapses into fantasy or memory, don’t use “thought” verbs
You -- stay out of your characters heads. Get them together fast and get the action started.
Let their actions and words show their thoughts.
No more transitions such as: “Wanda remembered how Nelson used to brush her hair.” eg “Back in their sophomore year, Nelson used to brush her hair with smooth, long strokes of his hand
Be wary of using the bland verbs “is” and “have.” Eg “Ann’s eyes are blue. Not Ann has blue eyes.” Eg. Ann coughed and waved one hand past her face, clearing the cigarette smoke from her eyes, blue eyes, before she smiled…”
Instead of bland “is” and “has” statements, bury your details of what a character has or is, in actions or gestures. At its most basic, this is showing your story instead of telling it.
When you have completed your draft, pick through your writing and circle every “thought” verb. Then, find some way to eliminate them either re-write or strengthen.
Can you add to the list?
Keep the faith and keep reading and writing!
Maggie
If we stop using “thought” verbs we would stop telling and will be better writers.
THOUGHT VERBS include:
Thinks, Knows, Understands, Realizes, Believes, Wants, Remembers, Imagines, Desires, Forgets, Loves, Hates and Wonders
Thinking is abstract and Knowing and believing are intangible.
Stick to specific sensory detail such as: - action, smell, taste, sound and feeling
Instead of characters knowing anything, you present the details that allow the reader to know them.
Instead of a character wanting something, you describe it so the reader wants it.
No “thought” verbs at the beginning of paragraphs they state the intention of the paragraph. And what follows, illustrates them. An opening “idea statement” steals the thunder of what follows.
Show the physical actions and details of your characters.
Your story is stronger if you let your reader to do the thinking, knowing, loving and hating.
Make your case like a lawyer in court, detail by detail. Present each piece of evidence.
Don’t tell your reader: “Lisa hated Tom.” Show reader.
Don’t leave your characters alone to think or worry or wonder.
A character alone lapses into fantasy or memory, don’t use “thought” verbs
You -- stay out of your characters heads. Get them together fast and get the action started.
Let their actions and words show their thoughts.
No more transitions such as: “Wanda remembered how Nelson used to brush her hair.” eg “Back in their sophomore year, Nelson used to brush her hair with smooth, long strokes of his hand
Be wary of using the bland verbs “is” and “have.” Eg “Ann’s eyes are blue. Not Ann has blue eyes.” Eg. Ann coughed and waved one hand past her face, clearing the cigarette smoke from her eyes, blue eyes, before she smiled…”
Instead of bland “is” and “has” statements, bury your details of what a character has or is, in actions or gestures. At its most basic, this is showing your story instead of telling it.
When you have completed your draft, pick through your writing and circle every “thought” verb. Then, find some way to eliminate them either re-write or strengthen.
Can you add to the list?
Keep the faith and keep reading and writing!
Maggie
