Every writer wants to know the secret that transforms good writing into unforgettable storytelling—the kind that captures attention, engages readers, and gets noticed by agents or publishers. What if a single, consistent change could reshape your prose so powerfully that it instantly elevates your chances of publication?

This is not clickbait or empty marketing talk. It’s a proven craft principle used throughout fiction novel editing and manuscript editing services. Once mastered, it makes your writing more immersive and professional—qualities essential for publishing success.

The Hidden Weakness in Most Writing

Even talented writers unknowingly create distance between readers and the story. This happens when the narrative filters events through the character instead of immersing the reader directly. Professional book editing for authors often begins by identifying this issue because it typically appears in early drafts. The correction is simple: remove filter words.

Filter words reduce immediacy by reminding readers they’re outside the scene, watching through the character’s eyes. When you strip them away, the story becomes vivid, direct, and emotionally compelling—the same effect line editing for fiction manuscripts enhances during professional revisions.

An Example: Before and After

Here’s a passage similar to what I see in many edited manuscripts:

Jean could hear a loud crash outside her living room window as she poked away at her computer. She watched as her fingers came to rest on the keys. She was dismayed at the sound of heavy rain. The morning report said showers would not come until late afternoon. She realized she had been writing for several hours.With a heavy sigh, she rubbed her tired eyes to deal with the strain. She decided to brew another pot of tea in the kitchen.She gazed into the sink full of dirty teacups and realized all the cups she owned were in there. She realized she was far behind in housekeeping.It was then she looked at the scratch marks on the kitchen window. She wondered if her tiny friends had returned.

Now, compare it to this edited version:

A loud crash broke Jean’s concentration. She froze, fingers hovering above the keyboard. Rain hammered the window—too early, wasn’t it? The weather forecast had promised clear skies until evening.The mantle clock confirmed what she feared—hours lost. Her vision blurred from fatigue. Tea might help.Flies buzzed around the dishes stacked in the sink. Jean squeezed some soap into the basin, then stopped cold. New scratches marred the windowpane. She gripped the counter to steady herself.Her tiny friends were back.

The change feels immediate and alive. That’s the power of removing filters.

What Are Filter Words?

Filter words are verbs that position the reader at a distance. They describe what the character perceives instead of what’s happening. This slows the pace and softens the emotional impact.

Common filter words include: believed, could, decided, felt, heard, knew, looked, noticed, realized, saw, seemed, sounded, thought, watched, wondered.

Each time one appears, the reader sees the character having the experience rather than sharing it. Developmental editing for fiction targets precisely these issues to strengthen emotional tension and create seamless engagement.

How to Eliminate Filter Words

1. Search and highlight them. Use your writing software’s search tool (Word, Scrivener, or Google Docs) to locate each term.
2. Rewrite for direct experience. Shift focus from the character to the event.“She felt the breeze on her face.” → “A cool breeze brushed her cheeks.”
   “He heard footsteps in the hall.” → “Footsteps echoed in the hall.”
   
3. Use restraint. Sometimes, filter words help create deliberate distance, such as in reflective passages. Limit these instances to no more than one or two per chapter.

The cleaner, more direct approach ensures readers live the moment with your characters. It’s also one of the first things improved through manuscript editing services.

Why This Technique Changes Everything

When fiction is filtered, emotional stakes weaken. Removing unnecessary words increases energy, clarity, and rhythm—the hallmarks of professional storytelling. Editors at a book editing company for self-publishers consistently highlight this difference between amateur drafts and publishable manuscripts.

If you’re preparing to edit my novel or planning to hire a fiction editor, applying this technique first will maximize the value of later review and feedback.

How Editors Reinforce This Skill

During novel editing services or line editing for fiction manuscripts, your editor examines places where perspective slips from immersive to observational. Professional book editing for authors transforms these moments by aligning voice, pacing, and intention. In developmental editing for fiction, editors expand on this foundation, showing how removing filters boosts theme, tone, and conflict across the entire narrative.

Final Thoughts: A Small Change with Big Results

Exciting prose isn’t about tricks—it’s about connection. By removing filter words, you create that connection on every page. Readers won’t just understand your story—they’ll feel it.

Writers who master this habit strengthen every aspect of their craft, from first draft to publication. Supported by professional revision through manuscript editing services or novel editing services, this single adjustment prepares your manuscript for agents, publishers, and future readers alike.