Wordcounter: An Invaluable Tool to Prevent Repetition.

For comparison, here's the Wordle version of the same chapter

Described as a tool to spot overused words, Wordcounter is a website that allows you to upload your text and check it for repetition of words. Most writers have favourite words that they use, often without thinking. These are the familiar friends that get us past blocks and barriers. I frequently employ the same word when creating a piece and then change certain instances by replacing the word with synonyms when I do the editing. This makes for richer prose but allows the writer to construct the piece without having to stop the flow in order to come up with a new or different word. The problem is, or can be, that we are often not aware of those words we use frequently; they are so familiar that the brain skips over them when the editing process is under way. This is one of the reasons that professional writers always allow some other, preferably a professional, to edit their work towards the end of the writing process.

The sample I used for this exercise is the next chapter in my romantic thriller, which will appear tomorrow. I thought it might be a useful and practical way of demonstrating the value of the Wordcounter.

In this sample, which is 5,383 words long,  the word ‘just’ appears 25 times. I hadn’t come across this tool at the time of writing and, although the piece has been through 3 different edits by well-read and well-educated people, none spotted that overuse. Fortunately, many of the examples appear in dialogue, where it reflects the everyday usage of the speaker. However, there are other sentences or paragraphs where ‘just’ could easily have been substituted by ‘only’ or by a small change in construction.

Other frequent uses appear in three character names, which are instances where the repeated word will rarely be able to be substituted. By the way, when you use this tool, you’ll notice that the results are returned without capital letters. I’ve inserted capitals to make the demonstration clearer.  And the word ‘car’ is a star in this case simply because the chapter is set in a driving school situation.

So, a very useful tool and one I wish I’d discovered earlier. I’ll certainly use it for everything I write in the future. It has the advantage of being mechanical and therefore indifferent to a writer’s particular preferences. It spots those overused words and points them out with brutal efficiency.

I’d certainly recommend this tool and would like to publicly thank its creator, Steven Morgan Friedman.

You’ll see there are a couple of other tools available on the site. I haven’t yet tried these, but will do in the future and let you know what I find. Of course, you could always try them for yourself.

The text shown below is what appears on the website:

Wordcounter ranks the most frequently used words in any given body of text. Use this to see what words you overuse (is everything a "solution" for you?) or maybe just to find some keywords from a document.

(New! - See the Political Vocabulary Analysis - to try to predict if a document has political leanings!)

Wordcounter is useful for writers, editors, students, and anyone who thinks that they might be speaking redundantly or repetitively -- and it's free! Eventually, I'm going to expand it so that you can upload documents, but not yet.

If you enjoy the Wordcounter, you might enjoy my new web page, Smugopedia - pretend you know better. It's smartly weird and funny. 

Top of Form

Enter the body of text here (to count & rank the word frequency):


Include Small Words ("the", "it", etc)?  No -- exclude them  Yes -- include them

Use Only Roots (group variations together)?  Yes (beta)  No

How Many Words should I list?  25  50  100  200

Bottom of Form

Here are your results... 

Word	Frequency
just	25
I’d	21
know	20
Shirley	20
it’	19
you’re	18
sex	17
Tony	17
car	16
very	15
‘I	15
you’	15
I’m	15
Faith	14
case	14
don’t	14
go	13
test	13
time	13
back	13
went	13
look	13
down	12
take	12
one	12

http://www.wordcounter.com/

The Week and What I've Done With It

So, the end of another week. As usual, nothing like as much done as I'd hoped at the beginning. But, I've completed the first reading and marking up of the NaNoWriMo novel and begun the second phase, reaching chapter 3 and reducing the word count, so far, to 112,043. Along the way, I did a quick check for overused words, using Wordle.com and started to use this to reduce the repetitions in that chapter (the illustration shows the Wordle graphic after the changes). It then seemed to make sense to extend the search for those words to the whole MS. I have the file on the PC as a single file, since that way it's easier to make alterations that are global. Once I'd done about 4 of the repeated words, I suddenly realised this was a waste of time at this stage. I might as well wait to employ this exercise once I've made the other changes, as I'm otherwise replacing words that I might later completely remove.
I've also done a small update to the Writing Contest page - see the tab above. This is quite time consuming, but it keeps my own table up to date and hopefully allows my readers the opportunity to dip into those contests that might interest them.
I've been busy with the social networks, making changes and posts to Facebook, Goodreads, LinkedIn, Digg and tweeting on Twitter.
I'm currently reading a thriller and I've ploughed through a good number of its short chapters whilst Valerie has been watching the sport on TV.
Had a short spell organising a replacement windscreen for the car on Saturday. What's that to do with writing? Well, the chip that caused the old screen to crack happened as I was on my way to my writing group, so a tenuous link, I think.
So, still no contests entered and no short stories sent to magazines. But the coming week....

#NaNoWriMo Completed at 112,242 Words!

The NaNoWriMo challenge is to write a 50,000 word novel in the 30 days of November. I decided right at the start that 50,000 words was insufficient for a novel. Usual word length is from 80,000 to 130,000, so I set myself a target of 120,000 words, knowing I would end up with enough for me to edit my first draft down to a reasonable length. Of course, you can't realistically set a specific number of words for a finished novel, so my target was always intended as an aim and dependent on the way the story actually took me.
Well, I've finished the story and it's ended at 112,242 words, which seems a pretty good working total. I knew, when I started writing this morning, that I was close to the end of the story, but couldn't tell how close. But the 6,220 words I've penned today have done the job and I'm happy with the result. It means I've finished with a couple of days to spare, which is great, since I've other things to do.
Wordle has provided me with visual guides to my repeated words, and I'll be able to use those graphics when I start the editing process in a few weeks from now. I always leave created work for a while, to mature, before I return to start the extensive and comprehensive process of editing it into something that will eventually be publishable.
This writing challenge has been a great way to regenerate my creative muscles after a period during which I've spent a lot of time and effort building a network of interested people, some of whom will hopefully read and review the finished work once I've readied it.
To those who've followed and encouraged me along this route, please accept my heartfelt thanks. Writing is a lonely and isolated experience and the help and interest of others is a great boost.
To those continuing with their own challenge I say, carry on. It's worth it for the feeling of complete satisfaction, knowing you took on the challenge and fulfilled it. Keep going.

#NaNoWriMo progress on day 25 = 106022 words

Today's work on the NaNoWriMo challenge has increased the total by 5,948 words to 106,022 words, which is 88% of my 120,000 word target. And, again, the Wordle graphic illustrates the most frequently used words. This one is of the last complete chapter, no 30. I reckon I have 4 chapters to go, but the story might only require another 3; not sure at present. But as long as I complete the actual story by the end of the month, I'll be happy.
The London move turned out to be only a stage in the journey, which ended up in Essex. The hero's now completed his task in that location and is on his way back home, via, no doubt, a number of barriers and hurdles to be crossed and jumped before he can rest on his laurels. Unless, of course, he should die before he reaches his final destination. Perhaps that is his final destination: death? Could be. But I'm not telling; you'll have to read the book to find out what happens to him and his lover; whether they can ride off into the sunset or whether life is about to deal them the cruellest blow.
Another couple of new characters crept into the last two chapters, but they're so minor I haven't done character sketches for them. There are also one or two facts about geographical locations I'll have to check during the editing process, but the important thing at this stage is to keep the story moving. The details can always be tweaked later on, you see?
So, what will tomorrow bring? I've done for today. Actually, tomorrow may not move us as far forward as I wish since my daughter is home from Uni and wants me to take her out into the local countryside to do some landscape photography for her current assignment, so I might not get much writing done. Fingers crossed, I can manage everything I need to.

#NaNoWriMo Progress day 24 = 100,074 Words

So, how goes the NaNoWriMo challenge today for those who are taking it?
Well, for me, I've now exceeded the set challenge by a factor of 2, but that's only because I set myself a target of 120,000. At 100,074 words, I'm 83% of the way. Just over 5,000 words today, in 2 sessions. Had to have a brief halt in the second session because the story took the hero down to London and I had to check an A to Z and an Underground map to make sure I was sending him in a logical direction. Most of the action, so far, has taken place in my native East Yorkshire, au unspecified location somewhere in the northern half of England, and a south western seaside town that I based on Weymouth, but never actually named. Motorway travel features rather more than I would care to use it in person, but it fits in with the story.
More new characters coming up, and I'll need to do a couple of character studies tomorrow, quite early in the day, to keep track of the action involving them.
Wordle has, again, provided a useful graphic to show which words are used most frequently. And I've decided to do a Wordle image for each of the chapters. Currently I'm on chap 29, but I've used the last complete chapter, 28, to illustrate this post.
A welcome interruption to the day when I popped down to the local railway station to pick up daughter, Kate, who is home from Uni for the weekend. Nice to see her after her absence. She seems happy and is getting on well with her studies.

#NaNoWriMo Progress day 23 = 95037 words

The NaNoWriMo challenge continues apace with 3,748 words added today, taking the total to 95,037. I was determined to reach 95,000 today in spite of the fact that I spent a half day at the office. So, still on target and still enjoying. Much has happened in the last few thousands of words and a new, though expected, element has now entered the story, putting the hero in danger again.
The Wordle image of the word usage in Chapter 26 will again be a useful device when I start the editing process.
Some folks have asked me questions about my technique for producing the number of words I do on a daily basis, so here's something that might help answer that.
I always make the writing a priority, doing a targeted number of words (usually 2,000) before I do anything else. It's very easy to get carried away into the world of social networking, emails, or other distractions and end up leaving yourself with little time to do the writing. So, I do the writing first, and the rest is done in whatever time is left to me. Generally, on my full days of writing, I have at least 2 sessions, sometimes 3. Once I've managed 4,000, which is my daily target on full days, I'm happy if I turn out a bit more, but I don't sweat it at that point. I can sometimes write 2,000 in an hour, especially first thing in the morning when I'm fresh. But I can also take 3 hours to do the same number. I find it all depends on the type of event I'm describing. Dialogue seems to flow quite well and the action scenes usually develop fairly rapidly. Once in a while, I need to do some research  on the hoof, but I stick to looking for only the precise answer I need at that time, regardless how interesting the subject might be. So, I avoid distractions and prioritise the writing. I also do absolutely no editing, beyond correcting any spelling errors/typos as I write.
Editing uses a different part of the brain from creating and that 'policeman' that is your editing self can seriously interfere with your creative process if you allow it. In fact, I will wait until I've completed the story and then won't even look at it at all for at least two weeks, maybe four. Then I'll go back to it with a fresh mind and start on the exacting process of editing, reducing unnecessary words, checking for inconsistencies, ensuring actions all make sense and all the other details that are necessary for a successful story.
Hope that's helpful.

#NaNoWriMo progress on day 22 = 91,289 words

Still going strong. The NaNoWriMo challenge has proved a great motivator and continues to drive me on toward my target. Over 3/4 of the way there now and 9 days to go, so I should make it, given a fair wind and no disasters.
Tuesday is a full day at the office for me, so I rose early and did 1,900 words before I left for work. Back home, and Valerie fed and watered me, so I could get on with the next session. Another 1,100 or so words took me to the current total of 91,289.
The Wordle graphic displays the word priorities that exist in chapter 25.
The story has now moved into a more intense portion, with the humour often replaced by the aspects of the novel that will enable it to bear the title of 'thriller'. I'm still pleased with the progress, but the writing is a little less fun than it is during the humour phases. Still, the contrast between action and humour is an essential element in the story and I'm happy that the framework remains on track, even if a little distorted from the original pattern envisaged. The general direction remains the same, though the conclusion has altered a little from that I set out with. The characters are interacting well, with the villains making capital off the heroes. And our poor victim, who is actually a strong woman overcome by circumstances beyond her control, is facing the dangers stoically and lives in hope that her hero will rescue her before anything too terrible happens to her.

And just a note about this post. It's my 800th on the blog.

#NaNoWriMo progress; day 21 = 88247 words

A day at the office, and, as soon as I've done this post, a spell of ballroom dancing with my wife. Hence a short post this time.
But I've managed another 2,182 words in a couple of short sessions either side of the evening meal, taking my NaNoWriMo total to 88,247 and keeping my average word count at 4,202 each day.
Wordle has provided me with another useful graphic, which will be invaluable come the edit. This one shows Chapter 24 and the keen-eyed will no doubt notice some words now making a prominent appearance. What they all mean, however, will have to wait until the end. Once edited and published, all will be revealed for those wishing to read 'An Accidental Avenger'.

#NaNoWriMo Progress on Day 20 = 86065 words

Yesterday, I developed a new character, more or less out of the blue. She came as a surprise to me but she has already had an amazing impact on the plot and caused major issues for Mel. Of course, Isla is not yet aware of her, for reasons which will only become clear when you read the finished novel. And you will be able to read it, since I intend to get this published, as soon as I've finished the challenge here on NaNoWriMo and then completed the necessary editing, after a spell of reflection. This is turning into a damn good story, my characters are developing and influencing the story as we move forward together towards a conclusion that I had thought was fixed when I started. Not so, the characters had different ideas and it looks now as if this will be the first book in a series of, probably, three.
I've actually introduced a couple of well known names into the story, more by association than as actual appearances. The new character, for example, is described by Mel as being the spitting image of Kelly Brook.
I've managed five and a half thousand words today, in two sessions, bringing the total to 86,065, which takes me to 72% of my target on day 20. Tomorrow, Monday, is a time for a short writing spell, since I'll be at the office for much of the day and then dancing ballroom with my wife in the evening.
We had our usual Sunday walk today, but the fog made the landscapes more mysterious than open and the chill air had us walking rather faster than usual.
Wordle has, once again provided me with a diagram pointing out the most frequently used words. This will be a real help when I get down to the editing process. Today's image is from Chapter 23.

#NaNoWriMo Progress on Day 19 = 80,518 Words

The ITIN application is now in the post to the US Embassy in London. Be interesting to see how quickly they deal with this. Though I'm glad they provide the service, as it's very costly to do it direct to Texas.
The antibiotics have finally stopped the toothache, so my sinuses are clearing: it's good to breathe freely again.
Short walk today, under grey skies. Have another once I've done this, before settling down for the last of the evening.
The challenge through NaNoWriMo is still going well, with an extra 4,800 odd words added to bring the grand total to 80,518, which is about two thirds of my target. I had one of those eureka moments today, whilst I was sharing breakfast in bed with my wife. So, I've had to do a new character profile, which involved finding a suitable picture from the web (I always base my characters on a picture, as I'm a pretty visual guy). Found a suitable lass and got the profile completed and added to the spreadsheet timeline. This new character, although entering the story relatively late in the day, has given me a real boost. I think she'll not only make the book a better tale, but will also make it possible to turn what was going to be a stand-alone into a short series; probably three.
So, looking forward to the next session, tomorrow. Hope all the other challengers out there are doing well and not getting disheartened. It's a tough task to complete this challenge, but it's worth the effort to end up with a new novel at the end.
And then begins the editing, of course.

The Wordle picture is from Chapter 22. Isla's name is very prominent, so I'll have to check that when I do the editing. Of course, the chapter is very much about her and Mel's relationship to her, so not surprising her name comes up a lot.

#NaNoWriMo Progress, Day 18 = 75960 Words

Some days go well, some go better.
So, what have I done today? Well, I'm looking just a tad more like a human being, having visited the local barber, where I had my locks shorn and, as is the way in such places, we fixed the problems in football, sorted out the local authority and generally set the world to rights.
Finally put to gether my application for an ITIN with the IRS in USA, so I won't have to pay US tax as well as UK tax on my earnings. Must post that tomorrow. Lunch, and then a pleasant short walk for air and exercise with my lovely wife.
Before breakfast, I'd done a session on the NaNoWriMo challenge and I had a second session this afternoon, turning out a total of 4,546 new words to bring the grand total to 75,960 at the end of today. Sinister threats lurk beneath the superficial idyll that our two lovers occupy. All is not as it appears on the surface and unpleasant events are afoot.
Tonight, I intend to spend the evening in front of the idiot's lantern to watch what, for me, is 'must'watch' TV. Here in UK, we have a charity night in November, aimed at raising money for disadvantaged children. Children In Need has raised more than £500,000,000 over the years, with the British public donating around £35,000,000 for each show. I shall watch, as usual, and donate what I can, as usual. It's a  great cause and a great way to bring serious issues to the attention of the public, whilst offering real entertainment from a gang of stars and personalities who offer their services free for the night. If you're able, I urge you to join me for the night and dig into your pockets to help those deserving kids out there, eh?

The pic is another Wordle diagram, this time of Chapter 21.

#NaNoWriMo progress, day 17 = 71414 total words

The antibiotics have more or less kicked in and left me feeling much better. Had a pleasant country walk this morning after breakfast, to refresh the spirit.
The NaNoWriMo challenge has been a great motivator for me and today I've achieved 60% of my self-imposed target, completing 5,136 words in two sessions and reaching a total of 71,414 words. Much happening in the story today, with half a dozen minor characters elbowing their way into the plot; not sure whether none, all or some of these will reappear just at the moment. But they provided some fun and diversion and erected a few small barriers for my hero to overcome. But Mel's a game guy. And the heroine, Isla, is a spunky, young woman with a determined independent streak. They continue to surprise me from time to time, which is all great and keeps me on my toes.
The picture is a Wordle image of Chapter 20. It's interesting that 'Isla' appears quite a lot in this chapter. The story is narrated from Mel's pov, in first person, so his name only appears when someone calls him by it. And the 'love' and 'make' should give some indication of the romantic element here.

#NaNoWriMo progress, Day 16 = 66278 in total.

The dentist tapped my teeth and elicited only a few howls of pain and protest, but his tests confirmed that my tooth ache was the product of infected sinuses and did not involve the need to drill large holes in the enamel. So, I was spared that particular torture today; a difficult job to drill and fill when the recipient is coughing for Britain. Time and the antibiotics will, I know from past experience, reduce the pain and sensitivity.
So, it was back home and time to add a few more words to the NaNoWriMo total. Two sessions later, with long rests between, have produced an extra 4,194 words to bring the total to 66,278, which is an average of 4,142 per day. So, still on target.
Problems are rearing their heads again for the brave hero and heroine but I've left their romance intact, for now. They have enough trouble without falling out with each other, for the moment. But it won't last. They'll have to face the reality that perfect relationships rarely exist (I include my own relationship with my wonderful wife in the rare category, since our 23 years of marriage have produced not a single cross word between us and we remain blissfully in love with each other).
But poor Isla and Mel have a few issues to deal with and life and society are not exactly helping them out here. I'm having great fun with them and look forward to each day and each new session, when I can make them jump through those hoops that they permit in their own individual ways.
Hope the rest of you doing this challenge are having as much fun as I am.

The picture is another Wordle, this one of Chapter 19, the last completed. Now, there's an illustration of the usefulness of this as a tool. See the way 'just' is highlighted. I know they use the term in their dialogue, but  when I do my editing at the end of the creative run, I'll just have to make sure I just eliminate all those unnecessary 'just's from the text, just in case they make me look daft.

#NaNoWriMo progress, day 15 = 62084 words.

Should have been at work (the day job, that is) today. But a visit to the docs confirmed my sinus infection and resulted in antibiotics. The chest infection is a virus, however, and due to my history, best if I rest for a couple of days to deal with it.
But I can't sit and do nowt all day. So, had a couple of short sessions and turned out another 2,523 words for NaNoWriMo, taking the total to 62,084, which is about 52% of my personal target. Resting in between and will be again once I've finished this.
The story is moving along well, with a couple more comic incidents and a hint of more danger to come. I really love my two main characters but their romance is going far too well for it not to be disrupted some time soon, I fear.

The pic is a Wordle diagram of the latest complete chap, Chapter 18, and the prominence of the word, 'car' indicates how much travelling is going on at present.

#NaNoWriMo Progress on Day 13 = 57366 words

Been another good day, with 4,407 words added to the total for NaNoWriMo to bring it to 57,366. Almost halfway to my own target now. Today I've robbed a couple of gays, stolen a car and taken a ride in a lorry. But are those buggers who are chasing me any nearer to catching me? We'll have to wait, I guess.

The Wordle at the right is from the latest completed chapter, chap 17. If you want to create a similar word pattern yourself, go to http://www.wordle.net/ and paste in the text you want to use. You can alter the font, colour, orientation and layout to suit yourself. Why not have a go? It's easy and fun and actually has a practical application, in that it shows you how often you use certain words, since those are the ones that appear largest and most boldly.