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 Join us on our journey through the Bible this year. We are learning about forgiveness and God's mercy when people mess up. 

Chapter14 of Numbers

DON'T HESITATE - TAKE ACTION . . . verbs in your story

 

Action Verbs

Action Verbs are “in-the-moment” words that move a story forward. As writers, we want our reader’s eyes to keep scanning the page, not to stop on a term, word or lack luster phrase.

Mark Twain was once quoted for saying: “When in doubt, strike it out.”

An Action Verb describes the action taking place in the story by using immediate words such as run, walk, do, smile, drive, jump.

Here’s an example of a passive word choice opposed to an action verb.

Before: She was running…

Action: She ran …

Before: She was talking about …

Action: She told…

 Before: The group was beginning to come toward the table…

Action: The group sat at the table … 

Here are some examples of Passive words versus Powerful terms:

Powerful                                                                  Passive

Is	Am
Does	Did
Are	Was
Be	Were
Being	Been
Should	Would
Have	Has
Can	Could
Must	Might

 

Here's a list of Action verbs (or strong, powerful, and descriptive words):

Charge

Shoot

Plunge

Hurl

Fling

Lob

Carve

Forge

Force

 

And, if you need more examples of stronger word choices:

INSTEAD OF:                                           USE THIS:

Increased                                                    Advanced

Helped                                                        Strengthened

Started                                                       Launched

Found                                                        Discovered

 

Last, but not least, here is a short list of strong action verbs to use in your writing:

Advance . . . your story

Advise

Alter

Amend

Amplify

Attack

Balloon

Bash

Batter

Beam

Blab

Blast

Bolt

Boost

Brood

Burst

Bust

Cackle

Capture

Catch

Charge

Chip

Clasp

Climb

Clutch

Collide

Command

Cower

Crash

Crave

Crush

Dangle

Dash

Demolish

Depart

Deposit

Detect

Deviate

Devour

Discover

Dismantle

Drag

Drain

Drip

Drop

Engage

Engulf

Enlarge

Ensnare

Erase

Expand

Explode

Explore

Expose

Extend

Extract

Fight

Fish

Fling

Fly

Frown

Fuse

Garble

Gaze

Glare

Gleam

Glisten

Glitter

Gobble

Govern

Grasp

Gravitate

Grip

Groan

Grope

Growl

Guide

Gush

Hack

Hail

Heighten

Hobble

Hover

Ignite

Illuminate

Inspect

Instruct

Impart

Jostle

Launch

Lead

Leap

Locate

Lurch

Lurk

Mimic

Moan

Multiply

Muse

Mushroom

Mystify

Notify

Obtain

Oppress

Order

Paint

Park

Peck

Peek

Peer

Pilot

Poison

Pop

Power

Prick

Probe

Prune

Recite

Recoil

Remove

Report

Retreat

Reveal

Reverberate

Revolve

Rip

Rise

Ruin

Rush

Rust

Saunter

Scamper

Scan

Scorch

Scrape

Scratch

Scrawl

Seize

Serve

Shatter

Shepherd

Shimmer

Shine

Shock

Shrivel

Sizzle

Skip

Skulk

Slash

Slide

Slink

Slip

Slump

Slurp

Smash

Snag

Snarl

Sneak

Soar

Stare

Starve

Steal

Steer

Storm

Strain

Stretch

Strip

Stroll

Struggle

Stumble

Surge

Survey

Swell

Swipe

Swoon

Tail

Tattle

Toddle

Transfigure

Transform

Travel

Treat

Trim

Trip

Trudge

Tussle

Untangle

Unveil

Usher

Veil

Wail

Weave

Wreck

Wrench

Wrest

Wrestle

Wring

Yank

Zap

Zing

Zip

 

Thought for Thursday - Word Snobs

 

I was talking with my kids the other day and we were discussing words and how much they matter. 

You can soothe a person's feelings with a kind word spoken at the right moment. Or  you can destroy a relationship by slinging words  like weapons.

Overall, we can use one word to put a different slant on a perspective, much like colors you might use in art, words paint pictures. 

I was saying to my husband this morning that the "intricacies" of....

and he said, "why don't you just say the "details" of  ...

I tried to explain by saying "details" is a blunt word that doesn't describe the little nuances of what I was trying to explain.

He said, "Nuances...now you really sound like a word snob."

It's important to know my husband speaks multiple languages, while I only speak one. So maybe that's the reason I use more descriptive words when I'm speaking English. Plus, I want to paint my pictures with words...not to say I wouldn't want to paint a picture with colors if I was talented enough to do it effectively. 

Anyway, what do you think? Is it being a  word snob to use a more descriptive word or is it something else entirely?

I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

Voice for Writers

When writers submit a query with an example of their work, they wait and sometimes wait and wait to hear back. And, like Tom  Petty said, The Waiting is the Hardest  Part.  

But then when that long-anticipated email arrives, excitement floods the writer's heart.

Sometimes, it is a quick let down with the only bit of feedback saying, "The sample didn't speak to me." Or, sometimes the feedback might be, "The voice didn't resonate with me."

"The Voice" might seem like an easy thing to capture but it's not always so easy.

Voice is a  difficult thing to define but literary agent Rachel Gardner said, "Your writer's voice is the expression of YOU on the page."

But even hearing this definition, voice is still an "unseen" characteristic of your writing. I think of it as an element that makes the characters come alive. 

This is a clip I put together years ago with my family to help "show not tell" what Voice is. 

Each person will show an example of Voice, that illusive element all writers strive to achieve. 

I hope you enjoy it.

 If you can't view it, copy and  paste this url into your browser: https://youtu.be/_4h_PnIFLzg 

Writerly Wednesday - Interview of Author Stormi Lewis

Author Stormi Lewis shares tips, tricks and hints on how to get published in this short half-hour interview. Join us for a trip down the path to publication. Stormi has two books out and a third one on the way. I'm sure you'll enjoy her warm personality and value her writing wisdom. 

Plus, post a comment below for a chance to win an autographed copy of her latest book:

And don't forget to click on the link below to view the interview, and visit my YouTube channel to see more author interviews. 

Hashtag Heaven for Writers and Illustrators - on this Writerly Wednesday

If you're writing and looking for an agent to represent you in the wonderful world of publishing, then there are a few hashtags you really should know about and use...to find your perfect match. Writing and finding your "perfect" agent is a lot like dating. You need to search in the right places, know what you're looking for, and what would make a good fit for you...and your prospective agent. 

One of the critical hashtags for writers, illustrators and writer/illustrators is: #MSWL

This stands for Manuscript Wish List. Agents and even editors use this hashtag on Twitter to let you know what sort of stories they are searching their slush piles for. 

It's sort of  like going to a dating site and reading a bio about your prospective new Honey. You'll want to know if the person likes long walks on the beach or if they prefer to sit on the couch and watch a rousing game of football...or perhaps tennis. 

#MSWL tells you all this information - (specifically related to stories, characters, voice, submission methods, etc.) and what the agent/editor prefers plus much more. It can't be understated how helpful this one simple hashtag can be, because when you want to make a love connection (for your story or illustrations) this is the quick shortcut to finding out all the scoop on the person you're going to be sharing your "baby" with. 

But this isn't the only hashtag that will help you find a connection out in the world of publishing. And, I'm sure you're not only looking for an agent. You might want to find like minded people who love reading, writing and simply supporting one another in this lonesome journey down the path toward publication. 

So, if you're looking to make a connection with your writing community, you might want to try the hashtag #writingcommunity on Twitter. You will find more people than you could find at a beach on a hot summer day, and these people will most likely have a  lot more in common with you than those swimsuit clad beachcombers.

There are many more helpful hashtags a writer and/or illustrator can use to find a Love (or even Like) connection. But these two will get you going on the Write Track ;D So, what's stopping you? Start hashtagging away. And, if you have a few more helpful hashtags you use, why don't you share them down in the comments section? We can all work together to help build this writing and illustrating community of ours. 

So, until next Wednesday, "Write On!" 

5 Literary Agents Looking for Manuscripts

 

Agents Representing MG and YA Fiction:

  

 

1.      Tasneem Motala of The Rights Factory is currently looking for character-driven MG and YA fiction, with or without a touch of magic, written by BIPOC authors.

 

Query link: https://querymanager.com/query/2005Query Submission (querymanager.com)

 

 

2.      Crystal Orazu of Context Literary is looking for middle grade, young adult, and adult fiction that explores interpersonal relationships amongst traditional/chosen family members and friends using either realistic or fantastical elements (especially from a first or second-gen immigrant perspective). Fun sleight of hand/heist/spy narratives like the Gallagher Girls series and darker stories along the lines of Coraline are also very welcome.

 

Query: short bio, and 5-10 pages inserted into the body of the email to querycrystal @ contextlit.com

 

3.      Margaret Danko of Paper OverBoard is looking for attention-grabbing voices especially #ownvoices narratives, literary fiction with teeth, historical fiction with a dash of magical realism, fresh literary and commercial suspense, spooky contemporary and fantasy YA, quirky and heartwarming family stories, and romcoms full of charm and whimsy. She is also interested in nonfiction in the areas of lifestyle, popular science, health/wellness, true crime, politics and current affairs.

 

Query: Margaret.submissions@ paperoverboard.com

Please list that you are submitting to Margaret in your email

 

4.      Emily Forney of Bookends Literary is looking for Picture Books, Middle Grade and Young Adult manuscripts.

 

See her page here: About Us - BookEnds Literary Agency

 

Query with your query letter, synopsis, and optional page samples to her  QueryManager  https://querymanager.com/emilyforney

 

You can also see her calls for submissions and wish list on Twitter @emilykaitlinnn

 

5.      Analieze Cervantes of Harvey Klinger Literary Agency is looking for sci-fi with a Dystopian feel (e.g. Divergent); contemporary romance); mystery (think Riverdale); paranormal but no zombies!; crime fiction; LGBTQ (love story); and thriller/suspense (cliffhangers, want to be on the edge of my seat).

 

Query: by sending your query letter, synopsis and the first five pages of your manuscript to her query manager at https://querymanager.com/query/AnaliezeCervantes

 

 

Writerly Wednesday

 

With the new year underway, I thought what better time than to set a few goals? And, I thought it would be more fun if I connected with other like-minded folk who enjoy fiction, fantasy and maybe even a little fun too.

So, I thought I’d start a Writerly Wednesday blog where I could list upcoming competitions for writers and illustrators and perhaps some mentoring opportunities.

And I wanted to begin with Brenda Drake’s competition. If you’ve never heard of Pitch Wars or PitMad, check it out here: Pitch Wars and if you’ve never heard of Brenda Drake you can read more about her here:  Pitch Wars » Brenda Drake

Years ago, I competed in Pitch Wars and was lucky enough to win a mentorship. It was a fantastic opportunity and an even better journey on my path to publication. Now, I’m not saying that I sold that particular book…yet…but it definitely helped me take my manuscript to the next level.

So, if you’re looking for a little help with your creativity, Pitch Wars might just be perfect for you. And, if you’re simply looking for some like-minded friends or building your network in the writing community, this is a great place to begin.

And if you have any questions about my experience through the Pitch Wars process, please list them in the comment section below.

Let’s all work together to make this a better, more creative, year for everyone.