Just

One little word. How often do we all use it during the day? Judging from editing my own manuscript as well as those of fellow writers at all stages in their professional development, way too often. It sneaks in everywhere. "Wait just a minute." "He just wanted that day to be over." "Just a tad more paprika." Do I need to go on? I give myself a mental wake-up now every time I use it, and force myself to yes, justify that usage. But somehow, when I go through the final draft, I see it creeping around, lurking around or just plain sitting there in full view, smirking at me. If I could just figure out a way of changing that, I just would.
1 like ·   •  4 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on November 22, 2014 09:10 Tags: critiquing, editing, manuscripts, word-usage, writing
Comments Showing 1-4 of 4 (4 new)    post a comment »
dateUp arrow    newest »

message 1: by Bonnie (new)

Bonnie Schroeder You crack me up! Amazing how many writers concede to the (over)use of this word. What is it with "just?" I did a word search on my latest manuscript and was appalled at how many times those sneaky four letters popped up. I found a few replacements, like "simply" and "merely" but none of them had the same punch. I just give up!


message 2: by Heather (new)

Heather Ames I really do justify its usage, but somehow, as you just said, substituting another word just doesn't seem to cut it. It's just not fair.


message 3: by Christopher (new)

Christopher I'm just tapped out by this. Scrivener only helps with their word frequency feature if the writer uses it *smacks forehead* "Okay" and "yeah" are two others I'm a repeat offender.


message 4: by Heather (new)

Heather Ames We all have those favorite "crutches," Chris, but just seems to hit everyone's list of top offenders. It just makes me want to beat myself or something just as uselessly violent.


back to top