Annoying Quirks

I just recently read on another writer's blog in a poll taken that the thing that irked readers the most was the fact that a writer would use one particular adjective or verb and use it often without realizing it. After seeing this, of course, I immediately switched into my Writer's Brain to think if I do that in my book. I suddenly realized that I do get into a rut with certain verbs synonymous with "look," "walk," and "said." I tend to use "gaze," when refering to someone looking at something. I tend to say they "sauntered" or simply "walked." But the worst of all is trying to find ways to express the way someone says something after a quote with a verb that gives breadth and depth to the meaning behind the words.

Having been in Mrs. McVay's English class, I have no excuse whatsoever to say that I don't know how to find good verbs. I specifically remember an instance where we were instructed to write out a list of adjectives for a cloud, and we were not to use "fluffly," "white," or anything remotely relating to "cotton." I remember people coming up with creative combinations such as "peaches and cream" to describe a sunset... Come to think of it, I could use "dream-cicle" as an adjective.... *back to the main thought*.... Anyway, I own a thesaurus. It is my hero... well.... my writing hero. When in doubt, look it up! Who would know all the different ways you could say "princess?" Just think of all the different cultures, and you've got about thirty-thousand different ways to say "princess."

Where am I going with this? I need to get out my own cliches! However, I'm having difficulty coming up with truly interesting verbs. Does anyone know of a site I can go to or a book on really interesting verbs??? My thesaurus is awesome, but it just doesn't have the quantity desired to write a novel =P And as I don't want to copy ideas off of anyone, I'd prefer not ask for ideas of verb usage. So please! Let me know if you have any ideas of such places I could go for help!