Writing is a powerful art. Yet too so many screw it up needlessly.
That’s why words like “nice,” “interesting,” “good,” “like” are curse words. They say nothing. It is the refuge of the lazy or the dull. This is not about being fancy with long, windy words like “hypotenuse” or “utilitarian.” The simple word “use” is a much cleaner and more concise than “utilitarian.” Check out the difference between “crave ice cream” and “like ice cream.” One creates an image and the other doesn’t. One is alive while the other is DOA.
Using the language to express yourself is an art just like a sculptor uses clay, stone, or metal. When I saw Michaelangelo’s Pieta sculpture, every aspect of it felt real: two totally vulnerable humans: one in grief and the other just having died. Sheer artistic brilliance! The opening of line of Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 is a perfect example of words creating an image that’s alive: “It was a pleasure to burn.”
Here’s a short list of descriptive verbs (they are like good friends as they don’t let you down)
Howl
Pierce
Whine
Bolt
Dart
Bellow
Adore
Spy
Glimpse
Treasure
Smack
Giggle
Lunge
Scoff
Focus
Splatter
Whisper
Smirk
Have any more to add?