tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275407340772980947.post755069866417426604..comments2016-12-14T15:07:17.543-08:00Comments on Inside a writer's mind -- enter at your own risk: Killing Your Genius with Big Words (Pace)d s saulthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12788612729434162987noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275407340772980947.post-48204517769347728542012-04-21T22:27:56.258-07:002012-04-21T22:27:56.258-07:00Thea - you and I are on the same page. New writers...Thea - you and I are on the same page. New writers might panic when they reach 60,000 of their 100,000-word goal, only to discover their story just finished. Instead of expanding the plot, temptation to embellish becomes irristable with dire consequences. The story gets bogged down in a verbal bramble; words that twist all over the place but go nowhere. As experience grows, so does the ability to build a strong plot where superfluous words don't even fit. It all starts with a big enough story concept...Dean (Hmmm--another blog?)d s saulthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12788612729434162987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275407340772980947.post-68966011932967935242012-04-21T14:13:19.558-07:002012-04-21T14:13:19.558-07:00The more I write, the more I realize the old adage...The more I write, the more I realize the old adage "less is more" really is true. Sometimes the simplest way of stating your point really is the most effective. If the stories we tell aren't interesting enough without all the frilly fancy words, I don't think that's the thesaurus's fault.Thea Landenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12835512996045807921noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275407340772980947.post-3046045278245906502012-04-13T13:13:23.966-07:002012-04-13T13:13:23.966-07:00I'm ever grateful for your words of encouragem...I'm ever grateful for your words of encouragement :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17089263022220773503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275407340772980947.post-73763138859560208942012-04-13T12:45:40.331-07:002012-04-13T12:45:40.331-07:00I agree completely. The pace of a story does not n...I agree completely. The pace of a story does not necessarily slow by introducing stronger vocabulary as long as context provides clear understanding (as you said). It's an age-old problem for writers. How much knowledge or life experience can we ASSUME readers bring to the story? If our assumptions match the reader's capabilities, then it's a win:win. If not, then our genius-prose fails to "involve" the reader in the story. It's a balancing act...Deand s saulthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12788612729434162987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275407340772980947.post-64020016172488343012012-04-13T11:13:40.302-07:002012-04-13T11:13:40.302-07:00Every writer must decide his writing theme. Are we...Every writer must decide his writing theme. Are we writing for entertainment, for money, for posterity...maybe even for pride. We combine such elements into blends that, ultimately, define our unique style. And, as Terry said above, there is nothing wrong with challenging reader comprehension as long as context is provided. I would simply add that "context" must allow for pace because pace elevates good stories into great stories.<br /><br />Thanks to you, God, the Devil and your good buddy, the bartender, for your much appreciated insights...Deand s saulthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12788612729434162987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275407340772980947.post-110425318299774332012-04-13T10:41:43.394-07:002012-04-13T10:41:43.394-07:00I've seen your comments and writing, Julia. Do...I've seen your comments and writing, Julia. Don't underestimate your abilities. You're smart, but more importantly, you're intuitive and empathetic. Those attributes almost guarantee your success as a writer...Deand s saulthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12788612729434162987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275407340772980947.post-19755049197709150862012-04-13T00:44:51.529-07:002012-04-13T00:44:51.529-07:00Excellent blog post (as usual) Dean. I've writ...Excellent blog post (as usual) Dean. I've written ad copy for about 30 years now and I remember when I was a greenhorn at the game, a senior writer telling me: "write in the voice of your audience". The same is true for authors (if they have an audience, of course). It doesn't mean dumbing anything down. It just means making their voice your voice. Empathy follows (or should, hopefully), and therefore readership, fans, sales etc. However....(isn't there always one of those buggers!).....hopefully whilst entertaining our readers, it's nice to think that sometimes they go away having learned a thing or two...or even read something that made them use their grey cells to form an opinion or even alter one. So possibly by default, there is a teeny weeny education thing going on now and then. And that's not a bad thing. Having a bigger vocabular doesn't necessarily make you a better writer, just one with more ammunition. Whether you decide to use that ammunition depends on who you're shooting at. My two cents worth. Well...maybe one and a half....Bryce Mainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04056370738435508155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275407340772980947.post-77992193779295092772012-04-13T00:38:40.392-07:002012-04-13T00:38:40.392-07:00If an unfamiliar word is to be used by an author, ...If an unfamiliar word is to be used by an author, introducing it so that its meaning is clear using the context of the story and stucture is the way to go.<br /><br />Actually, that's the way most people learn new words, through encountering them in context, be it through reading, conversation, television, etc.<br /><br />Sticking with common words but using the best word for the job, even if it's a bit uncommon, is the route I follow.<br /><br />I think Dean has it right. When writing, consider the audience--what will work for them as well as the story. When you do both successfully, well, the reader will appreciate it.Terry W. Ervin IIhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13561009802388207515noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275407340772980947.post-82790834934613473182012-04-13T00:14:42.608-07:002012-04-13T00:14:42.608-07:00I completely agree Dean. As far as for my audienc...I completely agree Dean. As far as for my audience. I know that each person has a different audience but I hope to write for entertainment. I'm not smart enough to write for any other reason ;)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17089263022220773503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275407340772980947.post-88532010395836434282012-04-12T20:10:02.968-07:002012-04-12T20:10:02.968-07:00Thank you. You just made my point. Your entire wel...Thank you. You just made my point. Your entire well-stated position used common language, grammar, and punctuation befitting a typical high school graduate. No dictionary necessary; very easy to read--good pace, too!<br /><br />Your response begs one question. Are we writers, or are we teachers? I feel my first responsibility is to entertain readers. That said, there are plenty of used English textbooks in every Junior college bookstore (at great prices) for those who want cheap education. Also, regarding YA readers/writers, we were all YA-level readers at one time. I actually like the current YA craze. Hopefully, these same readers will develop a love for reading and become future adult-level readers with mature literary expectations. Although, there is a chance they may get older but don't grow adult literary tastes...frightening thought, huh?<br /><br />This blog is meant for inexperienced writers who might suffer the misconception that superfluous words are, somehow, better writing. It's just food for thought. To that end, I deeply appreciate your feedback. These are the kinds of discussions neophytes need to read.<br /><br />Again, thank you...Deand s saulthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12788612729434162987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275407340772980947.post-12390234549640361892012-04-12T19:09:16.662-07:002012-04-12T19:09:16.662-07:00Okay. I agree with this, up to a point. The averag...Okay. I agree with this, up to a point. The average American has a vocabulary of approximately 3000 words. Yep. 3000. <br /><br />I have ceased to read YA (except for the rare exception) because it is written with the idea of someone who has approximately a grade 6 reading level. I can't read at that level. It's like pulling teeth. There are only so many times I can handle 'giggle' for the use of laugh, snicker, etc., all reasonable words.<br /><br />For adult fiction, there is nothing halting the writer to write at at least a high school grade 12 reading level.<br /><br />There is nothing wrong with stretching a reader's vocabulary. Before YA, this is how we learned what words meant what. I recall reading Asimov at 12, his book in one hand, the dictionary in another. It forced me to 'learn!'<br /><br />I love Hemmingway, but it wasn't just about his everyman's language use. His prose was splendid.<br /><br />If an author must 'dumb down' their vocabulary for the masses to succeed, doesn't that have a nasty connotation of the dumbing down of the masses?<br /><br />Personally, I choose not to participate in that.<br /><br />Now, if you've read this comment and haven't a clue as to what I stated, I recommend a dictonary.Karen Daleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06863449247777478067noreply@blogger.com