I don’t usually give lessons on writing. Mostly because I barely know what *I’m* doing, so how can I possibly let anyone else know?

But I don’t like FELT. (not the soft fabric used in making crafts. The other one.)

Which is better?

“She felt happy.”
or
“A wide grin curved her mouth and she laughed aloud, joyous.”

“Her arms felt heavy.”
or
“Her arms were weighted with languor.”
OR
“Sweet lassitude weighted her arms.”

Or whatever you want to say, really. Think about how often you use felt and think about how often you could show what your character is feeling rather than telling it.

“He felt her hand on his arm” can become “Her hand touched his arm.”

Most of the time, you can cut felt out.

Same with make, but that’s another topic altogether.

M