* using specific, active verbs
For instance, "talked softly" becomes "whispered."
*using specific nouns
For instance, "little dog" becomes "Yorkshire terrier."
*using sensory details
Describe sights, sounds, smells, textures, etc.
*using action and dialogue
For this exercise, choose an emotion--sadness, joy, jealousy, etc. Now describe your character's emotion through his/her actions and appearance. Do not use the chosen emotion in the piece. Show your character moving through his world in his state of mind. First, freewrite for 15 minutes without laboring over getting the words right. Just get the scene down. When you've completed the freewrite, go through your piece and cross out adverbs and adjectives. Replace them with specific verbs and nouns. Highlight passive voice and "to be" constructions. (i.e. she was angry, she was wearing...", "she was attacked by...") Rewrite them using active voice and specific verbs or eliminate them if they don't contribute anything to the flow. Highlight constructions like "could hear(or taste, or feel, etc.)" and make them active. For instance: "She could hear the rain pattering on the window." Rewrite as: "Rain pattered on the window."
Another variation of this exercise is to reveal the character's state of mind by describing only the room or place he inhabits. Again avoid those awkward constructions.
You may need to do this in several sessions rather than all at once. Don't be horrified if you find that you're crossing out and highlighting a lot. Writing takes practice.
As always, have fun with it!
