My New Year's Resolution: Loving Words, Dreading Writing
Let's Take a Hard Look at that Word!
RESOLUTION "Making up your mind to do something . . . to resolve."
For me that's acting on thoughts, putting pen to paper and fingers to keyboard.
I love words--finding new ones --or using words in a way I haven't done before.
The latter can be a danger to the writer of mystery novels. Readers have a certain subconcscious expectation of style and pace. Going outside the norm may turn on a few readers. Reality is that doing so also causes many to close their books and toss them aside "for another time."
I've maneuvered around that "debris in the highway" so to speak, by going for old-fashioned expressions or sayings. These are ones that would fit one of my characters, usually an older auntie type or curmodgony neighbor.
Had that predilection (love that word) come "home to roost" when my 10-year-old granddaughter Bridget said to her mother:
"You know today I told my friend Alicia, 'Let's skeddadle'
Granddaughter Bridget threw up a hand to cover her mouth. She grinned slyly at me and added, "I sounded just like grandma."
And you know, that's okay by me.
Here's to your wordsmithing and publishing in 2009.
Day 1 of posting on my blog on Day 2 of 2009.
Yours in mystery,
Pat
8 comments:
Your granddaughter must spend enough time with you to come out with that and then think she sounded like you. I think that's probably a good thing.
Hi Pat,
I love words too. I love to play with the and see what comes out. Thanks for your post about words and the new year.
Lael
Nice post. And this-
"Here's to your wordsmithing and publishing in 2009."
Same to you!
Pat, I used to read the dictionary when I was younger. I'd choose a word for the day, and then use it as often as I could during that day. I did get some weird responses from people...actually I was the weird one!
In talking, I tend to use a lot of colloquialisms, but in writing, I try not to, unless they fit the character. But if a writer doesn't love words, she's probably in the wrong business.
My main characters in the Greg McKenzie books are seniors, and I use some expressions that may not be heard a lot today. In my first book, my editor cautioned me about using some of them. But I think characters should talk like real people, and who should know better than somebody who's been there. I haven't heard any complaints from readers.
How can I not love you when you also love words? The logic may sound wrong but it has always been right for me. When I find writers I adore, I love them instantly, like you.
I am glad to have found your page. :)
I need to skedaddle and finish my work in progress!
Morgan Mandel
http://morganmandel.blogspot.com
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