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Word choice advice for writers: Forbidden words

'Zestful' according to Stephen King. I've been reading his book, 'On writing', and he states in it that he's never (to his knowledge) used the word 'zestful' and hopes never to! This is an instance of a writer making a personal choice on words that he will never use due to personal dislike.

On a more serious note, another example of self censorship is where writers commit to avoiding words or phrases that they consider either to be weak or cliched. Beginner writers, for example, are often warned to avoid weak words such as 'quite' or 'somewhat'. If 'John was quite annoyed', it is more powerful to say 'John was annoyed' or change it to 'John was peeved'.

Beyond self censorship, where words are deemed forbidden, it is usually because someone else has said that they can't be used. The main example will be where a publisher issues guidelines. For example, if you are writing a kids book, you probably won't be allowed to include swear words.

There may also be words that are forbidden by culture, where censorship is in place.




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Below are the top articles rated and ranked by Helium members on:

Word choice advice for writers: Forbidden words

  • 1 of 5

    by Aaron Lazar

    I've collected some great writing advice over the past years. Some of it has worked, and some hasn't. Recently, however,

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  • 2 of 5

    by Dancing Queen

    If only there WERE forbidden words, how easy writing would be! The truth is that nothing is black and white in writing.

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  • 3 of 5

    by Elton Gahr

    Just like the idea of forbidden curse words in the English language the idea of forbidden words in writing puts many people

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  • 4 of 5

    by Andrew Kerbs

    Indeed the list of literary "no-nos" has increased greatly over the last half century. The long-winded, overly-descriptive

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  • 5 of 5

    by Simon Wright

    'Zestful' according to Stephen King. I've been reading his book, 'On writing', and he states in it that he's never (to his

    read more

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