The Random Thread

[C.W. LaSart]

I read an essay in the Writer's Handbook one year; and I'm pretty sure it was by Stephen King. He was talking about getting through your first draft and just plowing ahead with the story without worrying about checking reference materials. (i.e. if you don't know the capital of Paraguay? Just write Cleveland and fix it later). He mentioned not pulling down the thesaurus, in fact throw your thesaurus away! If you don't know the word already, then don't use it. That said, I wrote a story once (as an experiment) using the most high-falutin' (not looking up a better word right now) language I could. I wore out the Free Dictionary website, so as to avoid even repeating common words in the story. I re-read it recently, considering trying to cut it down for the Sharing Your Work thread, and found a few lines that I didn't understand anymore. KISS, as I'm sure Caren's editor would agree.

I totally get not using too many fifty-cent words, but when I feel that the word is valid and we aren't giving the reader credit, then I get ornery about it. There is a fine line between keeping it real and dumbing it down. I also wasn't ripping on my editors-they rock out loud!

[Randy D. Rubin]

Well, my beloved says that if I don't get something published this year she's going to start lighting the wood stove with my little darlings so... I must find a good home for these horphans ( ooh, I just made that up.) Horror orphans. There might be something workable there... hummmmmph

[Craig Wallwork]

Terry, I think he mentioned that in On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft.

EDIT - the rest I've removed based on misreading the post, just as the little part of my brain should be removed that misreads posts.

[C.W. LaSart]

I could use about a six pack of them "publisher" doo dads as well, Cee Dub!

I hear ya! My stories for the anthology go through about 5-7 edits and rewrites before they are finished. It's exhausting and exhilirating at the same time!

[TerryE]

I read an essay in the Writer's Handbook one year; and I'm pretty sure it was by Stephen King. He was talking about getting through your first draft and just plowing ahead with the story without worrying about checking reference materials. (i.e. if you don't know the capital of Paraguay? Just write Cleveland and fix it later). He mentioned not pulling down the thesaurus, in fact throw your thesaurus away! If you don't know the word already, then don't use it. That said, I wrote a story once (as an experiment) using the most high-falutin' (not looking up a better word right now) language I could. I wore out the Free Dictionary website, so as to avoid even repeating common words in the story. I re-read it recently, considering trying to cut it down for the Sharing Your Work thread, and found a few lines that I didn't understand anymore. KISS, as I'm sure Caren's editor would agree.

[Randy D. Rubin]

I could use about a six pack of them "publisher" doo dads as well, Cee Dub!

[C.W. LaSart]

Gosh, I want me one of them "editor" doo hickies.

LOL-I'm fortunate, my friend went to school for it then decided to be a stay at home Mom, so she plays my second set of eyes, then there's the editors at the publisher.

[Randy D. Rubin]

Gosh, I want me one of them "editor" doo hickies.

[mlouisdixon]

I got ripped for using the word "swooned"

MLD

[C.W. LaSart]

Sheesh-my editor digs me for using words like distended and hazing-says people won't know what they mean. Morsicant-they would die!

[ozmosis7]

That is a very cool website.

[KT Wagner]

I found another word to adopt. Sorry, it's mine now.

Morsicant producing the sensation of repeated biting or pricking

[KT Wagner]

What are your favorite words to sprinkle in your stories? Random question.

Random question? How about some random words?

http://www.savethewords.org/ (the site takes a minute to load)

For the novel I am currently slogging over...er, working on...I've adopted prandicle and agonyclite, meaning small meal and religious types who stand rather than kneeling, respectively.

As for favourite words, do the ones I keep having to edit out due to overuse count?

KT

[Draven Ames]

What are your favorite words to sprinkle in your stories? Random question.

[ozmosis7]

Didn't someone already do that with their tonsils? C'mon oz, don't be derivative!

LOL true. Forgot about that story.