I’m currently writing an historical novel, and since my first draft was just splattered onto the page as fast as the words came into my head, there’s now, of course, a lot of language-tweaking to be done. I’ve decided to get rid of all contractions, as I feel they sound too modern. But while this gives a much more old-timey sound to my writing, it is torture on the word-count. You’re never really aware of how often you use contractions until you go to undo them; it’s like trying not to say “um,” and realizing that you say it after every third word.
I’m also replacing a lot of words with their more antiquated counterparts:
maybe = perhaps
very/really = quite
just = merely/simply
goes/comes back = returns
pregnant = with child
used to = accustomed to
want = wish (in some cases)
talk about = speak of
a lot = many/much
have to = must
think = believe (in some cases)
put up with = tolerate
keep on = continue
I actually enjoy doing this, because it’s like listening to my writing fade more fully into the past. I know some people think that this type of writing sounds stilted and pompous, but I don’t think it’s nearly as bad as someone from the eighteenth century saying, “Hey, what’s up?”
What other modern-to-historical changes do you make in your writing? Leave a comment below!