If you're in the swing

Karyn asks:

What are my three most overused words in manuscripts?

Well, there are words which are USED and words which are OVERUSED.  The top three words used most in Pariah's Moon, according to TextSTAT.exe (a fun little tool you can download here.  Note: the website is in German), are the (4604 occurrences), and (2376), and to (2285).  None of those strike me as particularly overused in any narrative.  The first word on the list which might be construed as one I overuse (and I'm particularly sensitive to) is that (562).  The next one which I see that (THAT!) normally bothers me is could (177).  Just (108) is another culprit.

Here is a brief selection of some words I only used once in Pariah's Moon of which I'm rather proud: zealoutry, yearling,  wreathed, vermilion, ululating, trundled, smarmy, rivulets, quarrel, pockmarked, oblivion, nectar, moccasins, leathery, keening, judicious, impacted, hoisting, gruel, fragments, encroaching, doffed, cornerstone, bugler, anthill.

I love words.

What do I hate most about revision?

I hate cutting parts I really like that just don't work within the story.  But I do it, because I know it's for the best in the end.

What do I love most about revision?

I love how smoothly it reads when I'm done.  Almost like something you'd buy in a bookstore.

When I get my first book contract, what am I going to buy myself to celebrate?

I have no idea.  I'm not a very materialistic person.  I think the most likely thing would be plane tickets so I could visit a friend or two to thank them in person for their help with my manuscripts.