complicate, advance, theorize, illustrate, vet, research, verify, substantiate, argue, summarize, reference, quote, propose, cite, back up, defend, contradict, counter, put forward, prove, validate, disprove, refute, format, hypothesize, postulate, posit, rebut, annotate, problemetize, footnote, précis, expound (on ideas)
cut, tame, sanitize, water down, examine, investigate, weaken, prevent, censor, edit, purge, delete, purify, expurgate, bowdlerize, clean up, redact, blue-pencil
type, highlight, outline, draft, write up, scribble, delete, cross out, simplify, omit, craft, compose, sketch out, input, dash off, jot down (notes for a story), bang out, develop (premise/characters/plot), abandon (the opening), flesh out, dip (a pen into ink), jot down (ideas), sharpen (a quill or a pencil), change (a print cartridge)
tweet, answer, transmit, communicate, text, mail, chat, knock off, reply, email, talk, correspond, comment, write (a letter/email), respond, exchange (letters), keep in touch, keep in contact, message, pass on (a message), forward (a message/letter), stamp (an envelop), send (an invitation/letter), post (a comment), instant message, include (an emoticon), fire off (a reply)
devise, shape, pace, imagine, outline, plot, scheme, concoct, develop, word, snowball, ration out, dream up, sequence, wrap up, craft, foreshadow, bookend, treat (a topic), adumbrate, narrate (a story), further (the plot), forward (the plot), chart (a course), expand on, dovetail, sequentialize, culminate, tie in/together
paint, draw up, depict, make up, invent, rethink, word, think through, hint, fill in, forward (the plot), set up (a scene), build (suspense), add (sensory details), grope (for the right metaphor), create (dialog), ground (the setting in a particular time and place), portray (characters), tighten (dialog)
tweak, remove, whittle down, review, fact-check, rethink, correct, edit, structure, restructure, critique, revise, rewrite, eliminate, expunge, truncate, look over, omit, wrestle with, mark up, clarify, redact, clean up (sentences), blue-pencil, assess (the strength of the writing), evaluate (the reliability of the narrator), cut (the first twelve pages), organize (chronology), move (text), switch (order of scenes), tighten (dialog), add (suspense), unify (voice), flesh out (characters/scenes/settings), annotate, copy/paste
tighten, arc, break down, scan, imagine, stimulate, distort, depict, illustrate, invent, vilify, translate, summarize, interpret, recount, reveal, disclose, foresee, blog, craft, scribe, script (a screenplay), write (verse/poetry), quicken (the tempo), compose (poems/songs), ramp up (the drama), retell, cover (a region/subject), ration out (details), hold in suspense, fictionalize (historical events), clean up (language), transliterate, historicize
portray, persuade, develop, address, reference, disseminate, borrow, quote, cite, interpret, recount, chronicle, describe, blog, hint, articulate, profess, put forth, mention, tell a tale, expound (on a theme), argue (a premise), force (an issue into the public conversation), frame (a subject), depict (a period in history), shape (an argument)
steal, suggest, portray, explore, research, borrow, revise, fold in, encapsulate, fill in (details), tie together, segue, detail, establish (credibility), ironize, forward (a plot), demonstrate (competency/knowledge), establish (a premise), arc (a narrative), reference (great works of literature), tweak (dialog), fire off (a communiqué), bang out (an endorsement), listen (to one's characters), flesh out (characters/scenes/settings), historicize
pour, imitate, crib, embellish, mansplain, lose focus, exaggerate, plagiarize, summarize, tack on, interpret, overstate, inveigh against, insist, lecture, ramble, preach, proselytize, browbeat, fail to (employ strong verbs), retell (an overdone theme), repeat (oneself), sentimentalize, overwrite, overuse (a word)
contract, pitch, dictate, market, censor, authorize, hype, issue, shop, excerpt, acknowledge, copyright, dedicate, notify, sign (contract), referee, annotate, publish, establish (oneself as an authority on the subject), feature (excerpt in a magazine), solicit (endorsements), work with (an editor to produce a better draft), blurb
press, dig, paint, destroy, highlight, outline, illuminate, call attention to, investigate, depict, expose, research, brainstorm, fact-check, interview, demand, reference, ask, quote, cite, write, conclude, harken back to, recount, double-check, uncover, support (an argument), shed light on, shine light on, hearken, cross-reference