Many of us hit a writer's block where we can't find ideas to further our plot, how to end a conflict, or maybe even to just start our great novels. But what about the other kind of block? The block where you can't find words to keep your story spicy? Alot of us just overlook this problem. Why? Words are what makes the story and if we can't find the right ones to use, we could lose our readers' interest and possibly the voice behind the story.

What words can you use instead of whispered? Said? Can you think of any good words? To help you out, I've created a list that you can use for a few words. Including the most common word: "very."  

Instead of "very": Very is everyone's go-to word to use in describing something with a great multitude of feeling. It's simple and easy, but there will always be better options.

× very simple - basic
× very shiny - gleaming
× very noisy - noisy
× very serious - grave
× very old - ancient
× very powerful - compelling
× very scared - petrified

Instead of "whispered": Sometimes, having the right word for whisper really impacts the character's voice and stresses what they're about to say.

× murmured
× muttered
× hissed
× purred
× gasped
× said low
× said softly

Instead of "new": New this, new that. Too much new. Try a few of these and make your writing speak.

× modern
× latest
× emerging
× fresh
× state-of-the-art

Instead of "next": What's next? Words for next.

× upcoming
× closest
× succeeding
× nearest

Instead of "young": Don't want your character to just be young? Give them a more poetic feel.

× youth
× naive
× budding
× growing

Instead of "almost": You've nearly got this word right.

× nearly
× practically
× relatively
× generally

Instead of "important": Knowing these words can be crucial to writing a great novel.

× critical
× crucial
× vital
× significant

Instead of "ran": You're writing the climax scenes; your character has to get out of danger; they ran. No, they sprinted.

× bolted
× fled
× raced
× galloped

Instead of "said": Said gets boring quick and really doesn't add much flair.

× commented
× remarked
× stated
× boasted

Instead of "boring emotions": I find my descriptions of feelings falling short in the aspects of making the reader feel what my characters are feeling. This list has proved beneficial.

× sad - depressed, gloomy, cheerless, downcast
× happy - jovial, thrilled, merry, pleased
× bad - awful, rotten, wretched, lousy
× laughed - giggled, roared, chuckled, grinned
× nice - pleasurable, courteous, cordial, likeable
× scared - spooked, horrified, aghast, anxious

Other words to use more often: An extra list for the fun-to-say words that maybe will make your vocabulary seem a lot wiser. And if not, well, like I said, they're just fun to say.

× squabble

× scrumptious

× dandy

× hullabaloo

× audacity

× pompous

× balderdash

× skedaddle

× superfluous

× discombobulate

× resplendent

Be sure to save these lists so the next time you've hit the unlucky word block, you can take a glance and spice up your story. There's nothing like a wonderful idea turning bland in the process; keep it fresh and tasty. Good luck!