Dear Geist, How can I stop over-using the word very? Everyone knows writers should go easy on it, maybe even delete it everywhere. But I keep doing it, and I don't think I should be watching for it and stopping to reword when I'm on a tear with the story. Help! —Allacia B., Chicago IL
Dear Allacia, Quite right—those surges are best allowed to roar ahead. Here's a suggestion that is said to have come from Mark Twain: “Substitute 'damn' every time you're inclined to write 'very'; your editor will delete it and the writing will be just as it should be.” Or just go through the manuscript later and delete or reword 'em yourself. —The Editors
