a change." Change is actually a verb, but in this case, it's been turned into a noun. It has become a "thing". Consider how that sentence sounds when the noun "change" is turned back into a verb: "I need to change." If you want to find hidden verbs in your writing, look for all the nouns you can find. Then ask yourself, "Can I pick this up and carry it? Can I touch it, feel it or see it? Can I buy it off the store shelf?" If the answer is no, then you've found a nominalization. You should be proud of your verbs -- they're your tools.  And with the right tool for the task, your writing will improve. Ditch the Clichs Clichs are boring! They've been around the block and run their course (whoops!). They're what you write when you don't have the energy or inspiration to think of something original. It's all right to use clichs in your first draft, as thinking of a better metaphor may take time and interrupt your flow, but always try to cut clichs out when editing your work. Your readers don't want to see clichs. They want to see fresh, new metaphors that get them thinking in different and exciting ways. So when you find a clich in your writing, try to brainstorm. For example, if you're trying to replace, "She was happy as a lark," think of what else is happy, or think of situations in which you are happy