Why Care About Filter Words?
This was my question when members of my online writing community Scribophile first called me on the carpet in their critiques of my WIPs for using way too many Filter Words. (WIPs = works-in-progress)
And, I still do….use too many….
What Are Filter Words?
And why should I care? I had to learn more. Why?
When I wrote communications and training content in the corporate world, I never heard that phrase. It seems to matter It matters a great deal in the creative writing world. Or, so said the Scribophile “critters” (slang term for members who critique my WIPs).
The “critters” feedback on my stories created an itch, and I scratched it. Thanks to the almighty World Wide Web, my research on the keywords “Filter Words” rewarded me with gems of information.
Who woulda thunk?
And, I felt a bit sheepish my brain’s mental light bulb flashed once I saw examples of Filter Words illuminated my thoughts.
Filter Words Examples
Filter Words are words and phrases that insert themselves between your readers and your narrative, creating unnecessary distance, whether it’s fiction or nonfiction. Filter Words keep your readers from fully immersing themselves in your story or article.
Current events surrounding SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) provide one example of what Filter Words do:
Masks.
Masks provide a filter between your respiratory system and what’s floating in the air around you, keeping you from fully immersing your respiratory system in the airborne particles.
When it comes to my WIPs, my use of mask-like words and phrases keeps my narrative descriptions from fully impacting my readers’ emotions, thoughts, imagination, etc.
Some Filter Words examples include:
-
- I feel sad.
- Mary looked at the hiking trail.
- Jason appeared to ignore his son’s request.
Never fear, help is here dear reader.
Free eBook on Filter Words
The first New Subscriber gift I offered on my website is a free eBook in PDF file format on Filter Words. I retired that Subscriber gift and now offer this eBook on Filter Words to everyone. Select the link below to get your free copy:
Your Turn
In the Comments below, tell me about your Filter Words journey. Or, if the concept is new to you, has this blog post helped you? Let me know.
Image credits:
Filter Words eBook cover: Jenise Cook
Man with mask: rottonara on Pixabay.com
