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We all know about waste words, but what about over doing the descriptive words? Has the definition changed? Research, research, research, now I’ve got to research my words. Sigh.
No one wants their writing to be boring. But in our quest to use different words and mix it up a bit, sometimes we miss the mark. At least I do. Thankfully, I’ve a great critique partner who reigns me in. Thanks Sheila!
In my effort to get my reader to see what is in my head, I often times use a superfluous (fancy, right?) word when a plain one would work better.
Writers on the Move published a post by Melinda Brasher that made me rethink these types of words. Head over and read…
What do you think? Are any of these words tripping up your story?
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Time to get back in the saddle.
First up is from Julia’s Place
Resurrection
Faye stopped in mid-stride. It wasn’t possible, but she saw her. She just saw her dead mother in Macy’s. On feet weighted by lead, and legs made of rubber, she retraced her steps. Faye stared at the fall sweaters and leather boots. No one moved among the display. Sun glinted off the glass and there she stood, her mother. Faye gasped, and covered her mouth. She smoothed her skirt and brushed at invisible wrinkles. Her mother matched Faye’s movements. When did this happen? When had she morphed into the old woman reflected in the glass?
Have some fun. Take five and see where 100 words take you.
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I love poetry. Can’t write it worth shit, but I love reading beautiful words.
The movement is so different from other writing. Poetry evokes emotion in the reader, and it can inspire your characters too.
So it’s little surprise that poetry is used in a lot of YA books. I understand why poems and poetic references, are effective in YA stories A teen lives in a flux of angst and poetry speaks to the emotional roller coaster they live on.
Over at The Guardian, Ciara Murphy explains the importance and effect of poetry in YA stories. From John Green’s Paper Towns poetic metaphors, to Ally Condie’s Matched series (one of my all time favorites) where she uses banned poems by Dylan Thomas and Tennyson.
Today it seems as though poems have been regulated to Meme’s, but maybe it’s time to give poetry another look.
Have you considered using poetry, new, or old, to spur a story forward? If not maybe it’s time to see just what poetry can do for your stories.
Let me know what you think. Can poetry improve your writing, or do you think the idea lame?
You’ve made it this far so give me just two more seconds and hit Facebook and Twitter and share.
Thank you!
If you’re not already, I’d be much obliged if you would follow me @jeancogdell on Twitter or jean.cogdell on Facebook!
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