So…when I started in on yet another revision of a manuscript, I noticed I’d started a sentence with the word “But.” I acknowledge occasionally I begin sentences with “but,” but it’s not necessarily intentional or even voice. It’s just how I speak. My voice. But still, I know I shouldn’t translate sloppy speech into my writing.
So, I did a Find and Replace to discover there were too many buts in the manuscript to even list them. I’m not sure how many, but it sure must be a lot. So I started at the beginning. An hour later, the Find and Replace let me know there were 92 buts left in the remaining five chapters. NINETY TWO! But I didn’t let the large number daunt my but cessation. I was on a but mission. I continued to the end of the manuscript, deleting nearly every one, of course, leaving in a handful of someone necessary ones, for everyone ought to be entitled to a few if, ands, and buts. To my relief, I discovered I’d tagged on a second manuscript in the same file. So, huge sigh.
So, if you find, too, are a but addict, my suggestion is to use the Find and Replace to tighten your writing. So go get rid of your buts!
(One revision mission accomplished. So now I think I’d better go to the beginning and do a search for all the times I use “so.”)
Author Sandy Carlson 
great post Sandy. Find and Replace – I need to use this more often. Thank you.
Quite welcome, Jaclyn. Obviously, I, too, need to use it more often myself. There is always room for improving our writing. Thank YOU for all the help you are to me.
Sometimes I’ll start a sentence with but. But I think it’s okay…sometimes. It just seems to need the but for a better flow. But it’s true, too — too many buts can be a problem! (Out of the 35 words I just wrote, 5 were buts!) 🙂
But Samantha! Your writing is always so tight.