When it comes to making a post like this, one really has to wonder: what counts as a writing mistake? After all, isn’t art subjective? And for that matter, what makes one mistake “bigger” than any other? What if things we call “mistakes” are just elements of stylistic expression?
And to that, I can only say one thing: Shut up, it’s my article.
The scourge of “was”
Yes, I’m going to write an entire article shaming people for their verb choices, and you can’t stop me. Whenever I edit a manuscript, I see a sea of “was,” “is,” “are,” and “to be.” And it’s not hard to understand why. Forms of “to be” feel natural and effortless to write. When we speak, most of us don’t use high-minded vocabulary, paying attention to every little detail and choosing the best verb for every sentence. We say “Oh yeah, I was at the ice rink with Jimothy, and there was this huge zamboni that was just going right over the ice.” So when we write, our first instinct is to mimic our own speaking patterns. That generally works. People who outright defy natural speech styles when they write often seem like they’re trying too hard. But there’s a middle ground—a boundless meadow of simple, non-pretentious verbs that aren’t forms of “to be”: English has well over a hundred thousand words to choose from.
One big advantage to avoiding “was” is that you can more easily escape without using gerunds. Rather than write “I was standing on the cliff,” you could write “I stood on the cliff.” The former uses two verbs to describe the same action that the latter does with one. Simplicity can make your sentences ring clearer and stronger!
Okay, so I’ve written a mini essay on how “was” is awful. Surely, then, you should never use this awful verb? Well, I’ve used it a few times in this article. It works well in places! Don’t outright abandon “was”—it serves its purpose well enough. Just be aware when you write verbs. Ask yourself “Do I need to use a form of ‘to be’ here? Can I get away with a stronger, more unique verb?” Usually, you can.
TL;DR
In general, if you can use a more specific verb without adding extra words, do it. If you can’t, you’re gonna have to make a choice; is this new verb worth the real estate that these extra words take up? I usually tell people to minimize their sentences and maximize their paragraphs—I’ll expand on that next week—but all rules have their exceptions, and not every odd choice is a “writing mistake.” Just as Star Trek improves “to go” with an adverb splitting an infinitive, you can improve a sentence with passive voice or a few “unnecessary” words here and there. Just remember to think about each sentence when you edit. Vomit drafts work for your first draft, but after that, you will need to read every sentence, every word, and make a deliberate choice. Ultimately, that choice is yours. I can’t make that choice for you (unless you pay me to). Your book is your art. Your expression of your vision. Treat it with care, and don’t take “good enough” for an answer.
