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Hi there everyone. You probably already know that my name is Julie Grayson and I am the author of the psychological thriller Brighter When Broken.

One of the most frequent questions I get asked about is related to my protagonist, Lachlan: How do you take a woman chained in a basement—the ultimate victim—and turn her into the driving force of her own escape?

The key was to make her a strategist, not just a survivor. From the very first chapter, even disoriented and drugged, Lachlan’s mind is working. She notices the “stair-step” pattern of her bruises (a clue to a past “accident”), the darker stains beneath the fresh ones on the mattress (hinting at history), and she remembers. Her weapon isn’t physical strength—it’s her deep, personal knowledge of her antagonist, her husband Jack.

Her flashbacks aren’t just backstory; they’re Lachlan’s training montage. Every poker lesson, every boardroom showdown, every veiled threat was Jack unknowingly teaching her how he operates. His tells—the twitch in his jaw, the phrase “no delays”—become her lifelines. She uses the very tools of his manipulation (psychological pressure, seeded doubt, the promise of money) against him and his henchmen.

I also wanted to explore a specific kind of resilience. It’s not fearless. It’s the act of being terrified and choosing to think anyway. It’s the gambit with the soap, the calculated performance to get Jenna close enough. Her goal shifts from mere survival to active dismantling: “Survive. Then dismantle him, step by step.”

In a genre where female characters can oftentimes be passive, I wanted Lachlan to be an active architect of her own destiny, even from the floor of a prison. She’s broken, but she uses the sharp pieces. For me, that’s the most compelling kind of hero—one who redeems themselves not by magic, but by meticulous, painful cunning.

Who are some of your favorite protagonists who use their minds as their ultimate weapon?

You know that friend who says “literally” in every sentence? The one who “actually” can’t stop saying “actually”? Congrats—you might be that friend in your writing. 

Overused words are the junk food of prose: addictive, empty, and guaranteed to bloat your manuscript. But fear not! Let’s turn your bad habits into a game (with a side of shame). Enter: The Author’s Swear Jar.  

The Problem: Your Manuscript’s Secret Crutch Words 

We all have them—those sneaky words we lean on like a caffeine IV during a deadline. They slip into sentences, repeat like a broken record, and scream “amateur hour” to agents and readers. 

Top Offenders: 

– “Very”: “The dragon was very angry” → Yawn. Try “seething” or “apoplectic.” 

– “Just”: “She just wanted to leave” → Delete it. Now. 

– “Suddenly”: “Suddenly, the door exploded!” → Let the action speak for itself. 

– “Really”: “He was really tired” → “He resembled a zombie who’d marathon-watched The Office.” 

– “Began/Started”: “She began to run” → “She bolted.”

The Cure: How the ‘Swear Jar’ Works 

1. Download a “Crutch Word Hit List” 

   Tools like ProWritingAid or AutoCrit will scan your manuscript and flag overused offenders. Print the list. Tape it to your monitor. Embrace the shame. 

2. Assign Fines 

   Every time you spot a crutch word, drop a dollar (or a coffee pod, if you’re broke) into a jar. Pro tip: Use a clear jar for maximum guilt. 

3. Reward Your Progress 

   Empty the jar monthly and treat yourself to something not related to writing (wine, hockey tickets, a nap). 

How to Fix Your Verbal Tics (Without Quitting Writing) 

1. The Synonym Shuffle 

   Use Power Thesaurus to swap generic words for vivid ones. 

   – “He walked slowly” → “He lumbered/lurched/meandered.” 

2. Murder Your Darlings 

   If the word doesn’t add meaning, delete it. “She whispered quietly” → “She whispered.” (Where else would she whisper? Beside a jet engine?) 

3. Read It Aloud 

   Your ears will catch repetitions your eyes glaze over. Bonus: Neighbors will think you’re rehearsing for a one-person play. 

4. Embrace Silence 

   Not every sentence needs an adverb. “He yelled angrily” → “He slammed his fist on the table.”

When All Else Fails: Hire a Hitman (Editor) 

Sometimes you need a mercenary. A good editor will: 

—Circle your crutch words in red pen (like a vengeful grammar god). 

—Force you to justify every “very” and “really.” 

—Charge you $50/hour to do what the swear jar does for free.

Your Homework 

1. Dig up an old chapter. 

2. Search for “very.” Replace it 90% of the time. 

3. Marvel at how much sharper your writing feels..

My Final Thoughts: Your crutch words are like hockey penalties—they happen, but too many and you’ll spend the game in the sin bin. Clean up your prose, and your readers (and word count) will thank you.

Personally, my issues aren’t with words at all. Instead, I’m guilty of overusing em dashes and ellipses. So what are your crutch words? Sound off in the comments below!