If you’re using the word “some” in your creative writing, you’re not being specific enough.
For example, here is a sentence with the word “some.”
Tom liked to play guitar but didn't take it as seriously as some.
Who is some? Why do they take it so seriously, and how does Tom know he doesn't take it as seriously as they do? Does Tom really like playing the guitar or does he just put up with it?
This sentence leaves more questions unanswered than it answers. By replacing the word “some” with a more specific phrase, we can do a better job characterizing Tom:
Tom liked to play guitar but didn't take it as seriously as his brother Jim, who sometimes came downstairs with bloody band-aids on the tips of his fingers after playing for hours.
See how much better that is. We get a much clearer picture of Tom and how he feels about the guitar. However, it's still not perfect. There's still a form of “some.” This time, instead of being vague about who I was vague about when.
Here's an ultra-specific rewrite without “sometimes”:
Tom liked to play guitar but didn't take it as seriously as his brother Jim. Jim got his first guitar for Christmas when he was fourteen. Tom was eleven, and he remembered how Jim came downstairs the next morning, his fingers all wrapped in bloody band-aids, the wince on his face as he picked up his spoon.
By placing our example in a specific time, we get a much clearer picture of both Jim and Tom. Now we know why Tom doesn't take it as seriously as “some.” We can make an educated guess that he probably enjoys playing, that he admires his brother, but isn't passionate about it enough to experience the pain he watched his brother go through.
If you want to bring life to your characters, stop using the word “some.” Instead, look at it as a chance to fill in the blanks in your story and in your characterization.
PRACTICE
Today, why don't you spend some time improving your work in progress by getting rid of the word “some.”
Once you open the document for your novel, short story, or memoir, press CTRL + F (or Command + F, in OSX) and search for “some.” For each instance, see if you can rewrite some to be more specific. You can do this for some, sometimes, something, somewhere, and someday, too.
No need to share your writing today (unless you want to comment with your thoughts on the word “some”). I want you to spend some time improving your work in progress.
Have fun!
For the record, I know I inspired Joe. I am the Jim that Joe is referring to in the example above. Excuse me while I make my fingers bleed some more. 🙂 haha. I wish I had the time to play guitar that much! The truth is I am busy watching Curious George with my two year old and playing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, The Wheels on the Bus, and Bingo on the guitar over and over. Those might be the only three songs I know really well right now.
Of course it was you, Jimbo. 🙂
Using “some” is like a bad habit I didn’t even realize I had. Thanks for your help, Joe!
I agree with Ben – very easy thing to change and improve in writing.
Thanks “Ruth!”
Apparently you have been reading my blog some.
Only sometimes 🙂
Great job with the examples, they were very effective in helping you make your point.
I’m glad you thought so, Cris. Thanks 🙂
Joe, thanks for this reminder! The vagueness of the word “some” is not always perfectly clear to the writer, but as a reader I’ve found myself wondering about who the “some” were as you pointed out, or other specifics. This post brought clarity to the issue of “some.” 🙂
You’re quite welcome, Sherrey. I’m glad you thought the post was helpful 🙂
I want to say something.
Ha you little rule breaker you.
A-MA-ZING difference replacing the word some with a more detailed description makes! I’ve been working through my manuscript today, and I’ve found it’s caused me to think more clearly through what I’m trying to say. Most of the somes I’ve replaced but a few of them I’ve left for intentional ambiguity. Great advice as usual Joe!
Nice! I’m so happy that it’s already improving your work, Beck.
Hmm…I hadn’t really heard of this “filler word”. I need to Ctrl+F after piano lessons.
Are there cases when we are allowed to use the word “some”?
I remember you listing down words which we should cut out from our story. This was on a post about how to edit your work in 10-minutes (or something along like that).
Of course, JB. This is something to do on a case by case basis. I’m sure you could find a few examples from your work in progress that swapping out some isn’t really that helpful, and may, at it’s worst, send you down a rabbit trail.
Okay, I felt rather smug about the lack of some in my writing, until I searched for it ( my Microsoft word has a find program under the edit tab). I found plenty of “somes.” Some, something, somebody, somewhere. Somehow, I suppose. Did I forget any?
Nest will be “was.”
Ha, sorry to ruin your smugness Casey!
Oooooh yes, you may have just unlocked the solution to a problem I never knew I had…But I do have it. I have it bad.
Boy and I thought I had an issue with “that”. 🙂 Great exercise.
Hi Joe,
Thanks for ‘some’ good tips! Okay that was a terrible joke, but thanks for bringing this problem to my attention. I’ll be having a read over my manuscript to see if I have fallen victim to writing this way.
“Sometimes” is my bread and butter when word!
You know, it never even occurred to me to check my manuscript for “some” and it’s relatives. You make a fantastic point–thank you!
As valuable as going on a “which” hunt, which some should do. Sorry, I couldn’t resist.
Thanks for a great post.
Haha. Nice Diane.
You know, I actually prefer the first example of rewriting, with “sometimes”… I usually don’t care about all the details, this first rewrite already gives me a clear picture.