The problem of filter words

[Brian G Turner]

This has been discussed here before, but I'm not sure if this article has been linked to before:
Are These Filter Words Weakening Your Fiction? - Write It Sideways

Filtering” is when you place a character between the detail you want to present and the reader.

And some of the filter words?

• to see
• to hear
• to think
• to touch
• to wonder
• to realize
• to watch
• to look
• to seem
• to feel (or feel like)
• can
• to decide
• to sound (or sound like)
• to know

Ouch - I may have to go back and edit some...

 

[Lex E. Darion]

My first, first draft was riddled with these. It's one of those deep POV things that I really have to think about and still miss frequently. I'd not heard the term before though, so the article was interesting! At least I now know what the little blighters are called!

 

[Jo Zebedee]

Kill the filters. Kill 'em. (My first drafts are always riddled with the little blighters.)

 

[Phyrebrat]

Playing Devil's advocate here, but would this apply so strongly to omniscient?

I call these veil words which I read on Chrons some years ago

pH

 

[Shyrka]

Having read this and the example given, it all makes sense. Looking through my own stuff I'm not as certain. Would you say the following line suffers from these 'filters'?

His tongue felt leaden in his mouth.

On the face of it, it uses 'felt', which is cited in the example, but I can't really think of another way of saying it without it sounding like his tongue is literally made of lead.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

Having read this and the example given, it all makes sense. Looking through my own stuff I'm not as certain. Would you say the following line suffers from these 'filters'?



On the face of it, it uses 'felt', which is cited in the example, but I can't really think of another way of saying it without it sounding like his tongue is literally made of lead.

I think you're into the dreaded show don't tell territory.

He tried to speak but his tongue was too thick, almost leaden.

?

 

[Jo Zebedee]

Edit - just to say sometimes a felt or whatever is fine. It's about knowing when to use them (and as Phyre says omni uses the more than close.)

 

[Shyrka]

Interesting. I've been on the lookout for that sort of thing to the point of paranoia but that one completely passed me by. It seems obvious when you say it, though.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

Interesting. I've been on the lookout for that sort of thing to the point of paranoia but that one completely passed me by. It seems obvious when you say it, though.

Well, if it's any consolation I'm currently being hammered for them by a new editor. They're hard to see sometimes.

 

[J Riff]

Hmmm I remember two things, told me by a writer, years ago; he said don't use any adjectives or dialogue unless you have to. Seems a tad simplifical today, but maybe he was on something there...

 

[Stephen Palmer]

Seem and appear are fine to use so long as it's from the character's perspective. We don't all "get" the truth right away.

 

[JC Kang]

I think it all comes down to Point of View and Narrative Distance. If you are writing in Omniscient, you'll need those filters. If you are writing Third Limited, those filters can sometimes come in handy-- I've made messes of sentences in order to avoid a filter, and decided to use it anyway.

 

[Zebra Wizard]

This has opened my eyes to many things, not just the ones you list. But the word "to" seems to be a very crappy word to use in alot of cases.

 

[Kylara]

I write in mainly omni and use those types of thing. However, without them the omni narrative reads off, almost not omni at all. As with everything though - the odd one or two is fine, so use in moderation

 

[M Harold Page]

It's easier to turn this on its head and write using a kind of dialogue with the world. No need then for filter words.