Filter words: Are you distancing your readers?
As an author, you want your reader to be immersed in your story, to feel like they’re right there, experiencing the action alongside your characters. But is your writing inadvertently holding them at arm’s length? Filter words bring the focus to how the viewpoint character is experiencing the world, rather than what they’re experiencing. In some cases this is effective or necessary, but in many it just serves to remind the reader that they’re being told a story, not experiencing the action directly.
What are filter words?
Filter words are verbs that increase narrative distance, meaning they pull readers out of the viewpoint character’s head. Examples include “saw,” “heard,” “felt,” “realized,” “noticed,” and “wondered.” Think about those moments in the movie The Princess Bride when you return to the grandfather reading the book to his grandson. You know all along that this is a story being told by the grandfather, but when you’re immersed in the action, you forget all about that, so each return to the bedroom is a jarring reminder. Filter words do the same thing on a smaller scale: they pull the reader out of the action and remind them that this is a story being told.
With filter words:
George saw an officer approaching and quickly changed direction. He knew they wouldn’t let him off easy this time.
Emmeline noticed that the envelope wasn’t sealed, and she realized someone had been reading her mail.
Justice heard a scream from the castle and felt her hair stand on end. She saw Anna draw her sword.
Without filter words:
An officer approached from the barracks and George quickly changed direction. They wouldn’t let him off easy this time.
The envelope wasn’t sealed. Someone had been reading her mail.
A scream split the air above the castle, and Justice’s hair stood on end. Anna drew her sword.
Should filter words be avoided at all costs?
Any writing “rule” should be taken with a grain of salt. No, you don’t want to constantly filter your character’s experience for your reader, but there will be times when a filter word is helpful for moderating pace, easing tension, providing clarity, establishing mood, or focusing a reader’s attention. Sometimes you really do want your reader to focus on how your character experiences their world, and that’s okay. Just consider if your filter words are serving the story or if they’re pulling the reader out of it.
Readers understand that the actions and emotions in your story are being experienced by the viewpoint character, so it’s not necessary for them to be constantly reminded of that fact. Removing unnecessary filter words will help your readers feel immersed in the action and allow them to more deeply connect with your characters.
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