I'm not getting anywhere with actually writing, so I've decided to go back and work on more revision of Novel #4. I'm making word clouds of chapters or sections of the book to help uncover overused words. Then I use the Word "find" feature to search for all instances of the word.
Who knew there were so many ways to use the word "back"? Once I started looking for them, they drove me crazy:
back home
lean back
shrink back
whisper back
go back
turn her back
back at...
smile back
back away
come back
look back
Argh. I've even used it at the beginning of this post!
Some of my other problem words are look, know, and saw (but at least I already knew about those). How can my third draft sound so much like a first draft? Getting rid of overused words is a great way to make your writing stronger. In many cases, deleting is the best solution.
Showing posts with label word choice. Show all posts
Showing posts with label word choice. Show all posts
Friday, February 4, 2011
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Quick Writing Link: Word Choice
Don't you hate it when you're reading and a character you're trying to connect with uses words she wouldn't say or think? Jennifer Hubbard has a great post on word choice up today. She suggests that along with keeping in mind the character's personality and goals, you need to think about your goals as a writer - an interesting angle.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Found Only in Fiction: Phrases Girls Hate
I recently asked a few of the teen and preteen girls that hang around my house about what words and phrases bug them when they’re reading books. I was surprised at how opinionated they were on the subject. But then, these girls are all avid readers (and bear in mind it was a small sample of less than 5). Here are some phrases they found irritating:
Phrases like “She blinked and then….”
The word “breathe” in the middle of a character’s inner thoughts.
Writing the sound of people laughing, e.g. “Ha! Ha! Ha!” said Thomas, instead of “Thomas laughed.”
The word “pierced” when used as a sound, because it makes them think of physical stabbing and not a sound.
“Cringe” and “scowl”.
“Flowery”. One girl said, “What does it mean, anyway? It reminds me of showery.”
Phrases like “She blinked and then….”
The word “breathe” in the middle of a character’s inner thoughts.
Writing the sound of people laughing, e.g. “Ha! Ha! Ha!” said Thomas, instead of “Thomas laughed.”
The word “pierced” when used as a sound, because it makes them think of physical stabbing and not a sound.
“Cringe” and “scowl”.
“Flowery”. One girl said, “What does it mean, anyway? It reminds me of showery.”
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate
#30. The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly
I can see why this novel was a Newberry Honor Book. I haven't read many historical novels for MG readers, but this one created a complete picture of life in 1899 as a backdrop for Callie Vee's story of finding out what she wants out of life (and standing up for it). I loved the way Callie's relationship with her grandfather developed through their love of science. I loved the attention to detail in this book, and the way the words flowed easily across the page.
Although I got my copy from the public library, this is a book I'll consider adding to my personal bookshelf. I think there is a lot to be learned from it about writing dialogue without drawing attention to dialogue tags and building character through the use of specific details. I'll be reading this book again, because it is so rich it's impossible to absorb it all the first time.
I can see why this novel was a Newberry Honor Book. I haven't read many historical novels for MG readers, but this one created a complete picture of life in 1899 as a backdrop for Callie Vee's story of finding out what she wants out of life (and standing up for it). I loved the way Callie's relationship with her grandfather developed through their love of science. I loved the attention to detail in this book, and the way the words flowed easily across the page.
Although I got my copy from the public library, this is a book I'll consider adding to my personal bookshelf. I think there is a lot to be learned from it about writing dialogue without drawing attention to dialogue tags and building character through the use of specific details. I'll be reading this book again, because it is so rich it's impossible to absorb it all the first time.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Beautiful Words
27. Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin
After hearing so much about this book over at Grace Lin's blog, I had to read it. This book is many stories in one, with imaginative folktales woven through the text. I enjoyed the unique format and especially the way the author uses language. Plus, who doesn't love stories that contain dragons? Some favourite phrases of mine included:
"As the sky deepened like brewing tea..."
"stars began to poke holes in the deep blue velvet sky" (This describes one of my favourite colours of the sky).
A good book to read if you appreciate how words can be perfectly put together to create compelling images. I'm thrilled to find out there are going to be more.
After hearing so much about this book over at Grace Lin's blog, I had to read it. This book is many stories in one, with imaginative folktales woven through the text. I enjoyed the unique format and especially the way the author uses language. Plus, who doesn't love stories that contain dragons? Some favourite phrases of mine included:
"As the sky deepened like brewing tea..."
"stars began to poke holes in the deep blue velvet sky" (This describes one of my favourite colours of the sky).
A good book to read if you appreciate how words can be perfectly put together to create compelling images. I'm thrilled to find out there are going to be more.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
My 20th Great Read
20. Weedflower by Cynthia Kadohata
Although I don't always like reading historical novels, I really enjoyed this book. As well as opening up my mind to a part of history I'm not all that familiar with (I love learning new things from books!), I admired the writing style, and the way the author conveys so much information and emotion with a few carefully chosen words.
It reminds me once again how complex the challenge of writing a really good book can be, as I struggle to fill in a gap in the plot of my own novel, and think longingly of the day when I reach the point of obsessing over choosing just the right word.
Although I don't always like reading historical novels, I really enjoyed this book. As well as opening up my mind to a part of history I'm not all that familiar with (I love learning new things from books!), I admired the writing style, and the way the author conveys so much information and emotion with a few carefully chosen words.
It reminds me once again how complex the challenge of writing a really good book can be, as I struggle to fill in a gap in the plot of my own novel, and think longingly of the day when I reach the point of obsessing over choosing just the right word.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)