tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040914078355130442.post2502905691750063784..comments2024-03-18T23:49:07.106+00:00Comments on Nick Wilford, Speculative Author: IWSG - Word ChoicesNick Wilfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03841776353790635132noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040914078355130442.post-90345163811076452532014-07-28T14:31:23.477+01:002014-07-28T14:31:23.477+01:00I have definitely spent a lot of time deciding on ...I have definitely spent a lot of time deciding on the "right" word. It is so important to have someone else read our work because sometimes that perfect word (or words)turns out to not be so perfect. Good luck finding your balance. :) <br />~JessDMShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04202502753961748992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040914078355130442.post-82802727062839779362014-06-17T00:25:43.676+01:002014-06-17T00:25:43.676+01:00I love choosing bigger and better words other than...I love choosing bigger and better words other than the ones I usually muster up within the first draft of my story or blog post. Using both the thesaurus and dictionary are second nature to me. Words can be either sacred or tricky; mostly because they can be both beautiful and confusing, depending on the language and plot of your writing. If you go too over the top, readers are less inclined to be interested and more likely to put your book down. But if you find that balance, like you mentioned here, then you can create a masterpiece with the words you wish to illuminate your thoughts with. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14498810090279251726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040914078355130442.post-74864364006277268452014-06-12T20:45:17.220+01:002014-06-12T20:45:17.220+01:00That's tough on where to draw the line. I thin...That's tough on where to draw the line. I think if the word popped into your head organically as you were writing, and when you read it out loud it flows, to me that works, even if it's an unusual word. Also, if the surrounding sentences lend context, the meaning of the word can usually be inferred. I also like to be introduced to new words. Though sometimes when I'm reading something it seems as if the author went to a thesaurus to vary word choice and it doesn't quite work. That's where the reading aloud for cadence helps. <br /><br />And lastly, you can't please everyone, right? :) Thanks for visiting my blog!Stephscohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06328839483008086049noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040914078355130442.post-63405377363889739702014-06-12T20:45:16.852+01:002014-06-12T20:45:16.852+01:00This comment has been removed by the author.Stephscohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06328839483008086049noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040914078355130442.post-53073688334458617612014-06-11T02:15:06.421+01:002014-06-11T02:15:06.421+01:00i like to use big words at appropriate times - if...i like to use big words at appropriate times - if the reader doesnt know what it means, they need to look it up and learn something! but seriously, it depends on the character or the pov or the situation - lots of factors go into choosing the right words... if your character is sophisticated, they should use $200 words! not nickel slang!Tara Tylerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07587802105993889515noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040914078355130442.post-73153946441267638052014-06-10T15:21:48.588+01:002014-06-10T15:21:48.588+01:00I adore big words. That is one of the things that ...I adore big words. That is one of the things that attracted me to my boyfriend, his use of unwieldy words. They are often the right words for the occasion, but yeah, depending on your story or character, not so much. I try to have at least one nerdy character in my stories that gets to use those fun words and let the others carry the story. It's all about character, in my opinion. Shell Flowerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08127004188099765270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040914078355130442.post-35671802918153194422014-06-09T15:32:15.299+01:002014-06-09T15:32:15.299+01:00Hi Nick - typical lads! Still you were developing...Hi Nick - typical lads! Still you were developing your language skills ... I have no idea where my words come from .. I use them and wonder if they're right .. one today was "convenor" - it seemed to imply what I wanted to say .. so I left it!<br /><br />I do sometimes wonder if bloggers will understand what I'm saying, so I do clarify - but that's ok as I'm blogging ... <br /><br />I was shocked (non-plussed) that when I used Aga in my A-Z 2013 .. and people said they'd often wondered what it was .. yet hadn't looked it up ... I just have to know ... <br /><br />Spend my life looking things up .. just delighted you enjoy words too .. have a good week - cheers HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040914078355130442.post-25683043441464986022014-06-09T02:54:58.323+01:002014-06-09T02:54:58.323+01:00Okay, first of all, the image of you and your frie...Okay, first of all, the image of you and your friends playing wordgames is priceless! :) And I definitely agree that it's all about balance. Sometimes a "big" word feels too forced, or it slows down action. Number of syllables can be just as important as the "intellect" of a word, because it has to fit the rhythm of the sentence, the moment.Nicolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10680066584646789184noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040914078355130442.post-59228298949002956972014-06-07T16:39:14.265+01:002014-06-07T16:39:14.265+01:00I too have a love for words!
Word choice is very ...I too have a love for words! <br />Word choice is very important. I agree.<br />I think you have to take certain things into consideration, like social milieu, character type/age, audience etc.Michelle Wallacehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02750092836481599870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040914078355130442.post-79072345697505157722014-06-06T12:08:29.056+01:002014-06-06T12:08:29.056+01:00If the style calls for big words or if a character...If the style calls for big words or if a character is prone to using them, it works. Out of nowhere, it won't work. <br /><br />I used to use huge words when I was hooked on my thesaurus. I rarely use it now. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040914078355130442.post-39950264466811478862014-06-06T03:01:27.986+01:002014-06-06T03:01:27.986+01:00I can lose so much time searching for the 'per...I can lose so much time searching for the 'perfect' word. It's amazing how changing one small word will affect the entire tone, meaning, and flow of a sentence!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00700737187405826842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040914078355130442.post-63226969769797337022014-06-06T02:01:34.795+01:002014-06-06T02:01:34.795+01:00I can agonize over a word/phrase for hours until I...I can agonize over a word/phrase for hours until I find the right fit. But not for the first draft. The first draft I simply power through after thinking, that word isn't right but it's close enough for now.Lynda R Young as Elle Cardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09975442291393246148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040914078355130442.post-13932725488065333812014-06-05T16:48:45.432+01:002014-06-05T16:48:45.432+01:00I like the advice that someone earlier wrote on us...I like the advice that someone earlier wrote on using the proper language for the character. Some people like that extemporaneous talk. It seems to happen when role playing or Ren-fests! I believe it was Mark Twain who said to use the shorter word or phrase, but he was a man of wit, and brevity is the soul of wit!Mary Aalgaardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08051735579638637382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040914078355130442.post-18180228294942003392014-06-05T15:13:52.628+01:002014-06-05T15:13:52.628+01:00I hunt down words like there's no tomorrow. Th...I hunt down words like there's no tomorrow. There meanings don't stay in my head but they sound nice. lol. Consider your audience. I think it's cool when I learn new words from stories I read but there does need to be a balance. I think having beta readers helps. E. Arroyohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06634213563563094173noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040914078355130442.post-55300041312706089352014-06-05T13:37:55.374+01:002014-06-05T13:37:55.374+01:00Hi, Nick,
Word choice IS SO IMPORTANT.... But it ...Hi, Nick,<br /><br />Word choice IS SO IMPORTANT.... But it also must be clear. In writing I take my READER into consideration before choosing a "strong" word. My first two novels are M/G and Y/A so a writer MUST keep this in mind when choosing the correct word.<br /><br />So it may help you to consider your audience as you write, then the choice may be easier for you.<br /><br />And I agree BALANCE IS KEY in everything we write....Michael Di Gesuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17047267262428143113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040914078355130442.post-58055740623693146472014-06-05T12:17:12.348+01:002014-06-05T12:17:12.348+01:00I'm guessing your style of vocabulary goes a l...I'm guessing your style of vocabulary goes a long way toward establishing your voice. Balance is key, I suppose. You don't want to "dumb things down" but you don't want to stop the reader either. I'd make sure you let your first drafts fly with whatever feels right for you. Then, maybe in subsequent drafts, consider whether some words need revising. Lizahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16170701034715108039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040914078355130442.post-58334334357161649792014-06-05T05:52:25.365+01:002014-06-05T05:52:25.365+01:00I think we all have to write what works for us. As...I think we all have to write what works for us. As a Mom and former teacher, I like it when their reading expands their vocabulary.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04419944234795666194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040914078355130442.post-43948502497175041042014-06-05T05:18:42.521+01:002014-06-05T05:18:42.521+01:00I think some of word choice depends on the audienc...I think some of word choice depends on the audience. If you're writing literary, I think you can use a more robust vocabulary than if you're writing genre fiction. And it seems like people can use bigger words in horror and thrillers than maybe cozy mysteries. It's definitely something to keep in mind while editing. Choosing a simple, appropriate word is, at times, quite the difficult task!Lara Schiffbauerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13546286607078965432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040914078355130442.post-28341817944780278612014-06-05T05:05:07.846+01:002014-06-05T05:05:07.846+01:00I think it's a great idea to use new words, bu...I think it's a great idea to use new words, but there's the line of moderation and making it so the reader isn't forced out of the story because they don't understand. Reading is supposed to help expand our vocabulary. :) We just have to be careful how much at once. :)Krista McLaughlinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09230770035490273428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040914078355130442.post-61410679097092604732014-06-05T04:48:05.064+01:002014-06-05T04:48:05.064+01:00Mostly I like to keep things simple, but sometimes...Mostly I like to keep things simple, but sometimes I think that exactly the <i>right</i> word needs to be used, and if it happens to have people reaching for the dictionary then so be it. My current WIP mentions "angiomas", which likely many people won't know, but in the context it was simply the cleanest, most elegant way to convey what I wanted to.<br /><br />BTW - don't you love those nursery rhymes rewritten in verbose style? e.g. "Little Jack Horner was seated at a mural intersection masticating pastry..."Botanisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12098709722475364465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040914078355130442.post-80746421968864951872014-06-05T03:14:29.674+01:002014-06-05T03:14:29.674+01:00Hm. I'm working on a scene involving a master...Hm. I'm working on a scene involving a master swordsman (18th century France; he's an old man) and so have swordplay on the brain. It occurs to me that the fact that you know how to swing a sword with precision and elegance doesn't mean that you must use it for every application, including carving the Holiday Bird. It is a question of knowing when to stop. Naturally, that is one of the hardest questions around.<br />DianaDiana Wilderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11074083771067857127noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040914078355130442.post-84287112474897632012014-06-05T01:59:04.617+01:002014-06-05T01:59:04.617+01:00Nick, I agonize over this! I, too, have been accus...Nick, I agonize over this! I, too, have been accused of "letting the big words come right out." And I so admire a writer like Robert Louis Stevenson, who always seemed to use the exact right word! <br /><br />But something I've been paying particular attention to lately is how simple the wording is in so many of my favorite best seller type novels. The action and characters are compelling, but the words the authors choose are nothing special. Just working words that get the story across. That's what I'm working on now as I revise my novel. But I think there's room for a healthy mix. Like a salad with a few exotic ingredients thrown in. :)Luanne G. Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15762881276976395955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040914078355130442.post-78147943825107874082014-06-05T01:12:48.252+01:002014-06-05T01:12:48.252+01:00My early writing is filled with flowery phrases an...My early writing is filled with flowery phrases and big words. Hilarious to go back and read, not so cool to actually show anyone.<br />S.P. Bowershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09746614009206426805noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040914078355130442.post-69142918163292815062014-06-05T00:45:43.031+01:002014-06-05T00:45:43.031+01:00I love reading new words that I have to figure out...I love reading new words that I have to figure out what they mean or look them up. Then I try to use them.Susan Gourley/Kelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02669793865290876168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040914078355130442.post-18593389803171782272014-06-05T00:15:02.255+01:002014-06-05T00:15:02.255+01:00I think it's totally legitimate to make up a w...I think it's totally legitimate to make up a word if it makes sense and the meaning is inherently obvious in the context that it is used. I've made up a few words in such a manner and nobody seemed to notice a difference since it made sense. After all, words come from somewhere--why can't it be you.<br /><br />Lee<br /><a href="http://tossingitout.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Tossing It Out</a><br />Arlee Birdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11663942782929929334noreply@blogger.com