We are story tellers, part of a tradition dating back before recorded time. Over the centuries, only the story delivery changes. -A blazing fire illuminates the faces of the tribe, throwing shadows upon the cave walls. Detailing the hunt with intensity and animation a hunter unfolds his story.
Now we receive stories in many forms, -books, plays, movies, phone, emails, and spoken stories between friends. “Guess what happened to me yesterday?” That is also a story, which means that everyone is a storyteller. It is our hope that what we communicate will be of interest and memorable. It’s a bonus if our audience absorbs our tale with that same rapt attention as our cave dwellers, visualizing, putting themselves in the action, feeling emotional connection.
We can amp up our tale by using active verbs, the writer’s work horses. Verbs carry the story. If you use a verb with punch, your reader will be pulled into the action.
She was hungry. That sentence tells the reader what is happening. Was is an inactive verb. Nothing is going on. Show the reader by using strong verbs. -Inhaling the powerful smell of chocolate, her stomach responded, growling with lioness intensity.
-and yes, there is a chocolate theme running through my blogs of late. -unintentional I assure you. Perhaps I’m revealing an unfulfilled desire. Unfulfilled? Not likely.
Back to the point: The reader is pulled into the action of the sentence, can smell the chocolate, knows and relates to the sensation of a growling stomach. Perhaps wonders if anyone heard the roaring outburst. Which of course can be answered in the next sentence if you wish.
Sometimes when I’m writing, I will occasionally make a verb list. This helps me settle upon the verb that best describes the action.
Examples:
He ran -pelted, raced, sprinted, bolted
She wanted -desired,wished, craved, fancied
The snow fell – descended, swirled, dumped, floated, unloaded, blew.
Each verb selection gives a slightly different but more accurate view to the reader. Give it a try. You’ll be able to come up with some great action verbs.
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