While writing a scene this morning I was about to have my character 'walk' when I remembered I had a copy of Valerie Howard's 1000 Strong Verbs for  Fiction  Writers. All writers fall into automated-pilot mode and write scribble down their story, but when you lift your head to take a breath, you'll need to go back over the scene or chapter you just wrote to ensure you have used the strongest verbs to pull your readers into your scene.

Here's how...

Verbs By Category

Firstly, I was pleased tosee that Valerie had sectioned verbs into categories.

For example, my character could walk quickly, slowly, quietly, loudly, aimlessly, leisurely, stealthily, timidly or walk with difficulty or walk with confidence.

Verbs By Your Character's Mood

At this point, you can ponder on the choice of strong verbs and decide what is happening in your scene and the mood of your character.

If they were to Walk With Difficulty, they could: Careen, Falter, Lurch, Reel, Stagger, Stumble, Sway, Teeter, Toddle, Totter, Trip, Waddle or
Weave.

I had intended to have my character 'shuffle or lumber' but when I browsed the choice of strong verbs, I decided they would stagger and stumble over something. You can immediately see the benefit of using stronger verbs such as these mentioned rather than simply have your fictional characters walk across the centre stage.

Remember too that your character's have personality traits and habits so be sure to fit those in with the strong verbs you choose.

Verbs To Improve Your Novel

So with Valerie's nifty little verb guide, you will Write Hastily: Doodle, Jot, Scratch, Scrawl or Scribble.

Or you will Write Deliberately: Compose, Draft Inscribe, Pen, Print, Record or simply just Type.

Next time you need to have your fictional characters move about in your vivid scene setting, check out Valerie's strong verbs lists and work out the best way to show the character's mood and emotional state with the right verb.

Find Out How To Use Stronger Verbs

Find out more about Valerie Howard's 1000 Strong Verbs for Fiction Writers on Amazon.

PS: I don't take affiliate commission, I simply want to share the best writing guides that I have found helps me improve my novel writing. Take a moment to check out my novels on Amazon to see what my readers say about my books. All the writing guides on WRITING GOALS have helped me in varying forms.