It may sound sexy, but it isn't—not in a strong narrative, anyway.

The copulative verbs are linking verbs. That is, they link the subject to the verb; therefore, they describe; therefore, they are static rather than active. Strong narrative consists of strong sentences, and a strong sentence is built on a strong verb, so use the copulatives sparingly.

be: My suspicions were correct.

appear: The key appears to be missing.

feel: Roseanne feels sick.

look: That kid looks neglected.

prove: The task proved to be backbreaking.

seem: The cake seems to be done.

smell: And the cake smells fabulous.

sound: The music sounds so tinny.

taste: The sauce tastes salty.

become: Benjamin had become boring.

come: Mom came downstairs.

fall: She had fallen ill.

get: Later she got better.

go: And she went back upstairs.

grow: Frankie grew pale.

keep: Everyone must keep calm.

remain: The cat remained aloof.

stay: I just couldn’t stay away.

turn: Alanna’s face turned bright red.

be: Harry was a thin, uncertain man.

become: The controversy was becoming a nuisance.

remain: The results of the experiment remain a secret.

prove: That kid proved to be an angel.

seem: It seemed to be a hurricane.

constitute: The summit talks constituted a diplomatic breakthrough.

turn into: His fear turned into an obsession.