I’m editing my latest manuscript. Looking for words that are used too much. I put “but” into the word search. Two hundred and ninety two times. 292 buts. Horrifying. Something almost magical happened as I removed each one: my voice became stronger, less passive. I’m working on all the times I used the word “face” now: over one hundred times. “He put his hands over his face, etc. etc. etc.” So unnecessary. (Next I’ll work on the word so). I shudder to think how many “ands” I will find. And “hads.” And “yets.” And “thats.” And “perhaps.” But (strike). I will find them. Editing is fun!
