Very Hard, Indeed

As writers, we generally read other authors in our chosen genre. We'll read other genres, too, of course, but it's important to read other authors who write what we write so we can see what's out there. I've noticed something as I switch between genres.

There are certain words and phrases used by many authors in one genre that aren't used in other genres. A way of speaking. A tone.

On the one hand, this gives the reader what they're looking for, especially if you write historical romance or mystery or sci-fi. Maybe it doesn't apply as readily to literary fiction, because that, by definition, is more eclectic in style.

As a writer who wants to improve my craft, however, reusing well-worn phrases becomes a path worn through the field of high grass. It will take me to the other side, but what exciting views am I missing if I don't forge my own path?

In pursuit of my own writing voice and a wider vocabulary, I am endeavoring to cut "very" from my writing whenever possible.

My current WIP is 398 pages long, although that includes one work that will eventually be split in two. In those 398 pages, I use "very" 93 times. That's not bad, actually. Right?

Here are some examples: very aware; very bad (ugh); very small (again, ugh); very similar. If that's not redundant!

Amanda Patterson provides 45 Ways to Avoid Using Very in our writing. What does she suggest for my four examples? Very bad -- atrocious. Very small -- tiny, duh. She has neither very aware nor very similar on her list; I choose to avoid the implications. Let's see what I can come up with.

"He kept tight hold on his pack and was conscious of his wallet in his inner coat pocket."

"The girls were pretty and had a strong resemblance. Obviously sisters."

On the Brink and its sequel Jump aren't at the editing stage yet, but my writing can stand stronger verbs, adverbs, and adjectives if I'm using "very" this often. What abut your writing? How do you improve your craft?