Writing From the Trenches Surviving the Writing Journey even when you’re in the trenches.

This is a previously published piece from my original blog on blogger.

As a writer, I am obviously very fond of words. I simply love them and love to find new and creative ways to say things. One of my favorite writing tools is my trusty thesaurus. I love it. Within the pages of this treasure are literally thousands upon thousands of different ways to say the same thing. Yet each word seems to only be perfect at certain times in my writing. Each wonderful word has its own perfect moment to shine.

The problem with being a word lover is that sometimes you get so many different words in your head actively floating around in your mind simultaneously. While this is handy when you are writing, it does become a challenge when you are speaking with others. You begin to become known as a walking and talking thesaurus. People take advantage. To illustrate my point, here is how my afternoon unfolded the other day:

From my son:

“Mom, what’s another word for being close?”

“Cuddle.”

“No, that’s too sissy. How about another word?”

“Nestle.”

“Nestle?”

“Yes.”

“Any other words?”

“Yes. Here is my thesaurus. Look it up. I would guess page 528 to 530.”

From my Spouse:

“Honey, what is another word for probably?”

“Plausibly.”

“No, that doesn’t sound right…”

“Try likely.

“No, it needs to be stronger. That it WILL happen.”

“Oh, you mean inevitably.”

***RING, RING, RING***

“Hello?”

“Hey big sister… I need a word for ridicule.”

“Tease?”

“No, that won’t work.”

“Taunt?”

“No, not right.”

“Ok, I’ll go out on a limb here…how about belittle, mimic or disparage?

“Oooo, those are good. Thanks.”

I really don’t mind helping occasionally and pulling a word or two out of my inner thesaurus. It keeps me on my toes and makes room for other lovely words. Inevitably those words will find themselves in something I am writing. And when I can’t think of just the right word for something? I pull out my secret weapon and lovingly turn the pages of my favorite word book also known as a thesaurus.

I know that I can’t possibly be the only one who speaks thesaurus as a 2^nd language. There must be others like me who secretly practice their words and challenge their minds. How many different ways can you think of to say the word thesaurus? I would bet you have several. I know I do. What is your favorite way to exert your thesaurus within?

Posted under Writing Tools

This is a previously published piece from my original blog on blogger.

Ok, I’ll admit it. I’m a sign reader. I am one of those people that as they drive around they find all of the grammatical and spelling mistakes on the business signs around town. I’ve done it for years and I don’t see an end to it anytime in the near future. I don’t get paid for this, but I can’t seem to stop myself from mentally correcting the offending mistakes that I see all around me everyday. Perhaps it is the editor in me.

I think that what really drives me crazy is when I see spelling and grammatical mistakes in published pieces. It is one thing to roll your eyes at a sign when you drive by, and an entirely different matter to find it done by another professional in your line of work. It makes me cringe. It is like fingernails scraping across a chalkboard. These are people who should know better.

When it comes to bad grammar, I’ve seen it all. And I don’t mean that I’ve seen it all because I’m a mom to an almost teenager. These are mistakes made by people I consider colleagues in the writing world. The incorrect uses of then and than or accept and except. The misuse of lose and loose. (C’mon people, it’s lose weight, not loose weight.) The incorrect use of edition for addition or affect for effect and vice versa. I could go on and on and on. And lest you think these are all by the same person, think again. There are several guilty offenders, although there are some who have made multiple offenses.

Now, while I am not meaning to be the grammar police, I do think that it would behoove us as writers to be very sure of what we publish. When we make mistakes such as the ones I have listed, we lose credibility. Once that is lost, it is difficult to get it back.

I know I am not perfect, nor do I pretend to be…except with my son. But this is an issue that we need to perhaps take just a little more seriously as professional writers.

Oh, my favorite mistake this past week? C’mon…laugh with me…Wendsday for Wednesday. What are some of your favorites?

Posted under Rules for Writing