Pixie Dust For Prose Writers

 

What do you need to be able to write beautiful prose? First of all, what IS beautiful prose? I'd define it as writing that captures your attention, words that you put together to create vivid images for the reader. Beautiful prose is memorable. It stays with the reader. How are you going to achieve this kind of writing? 

According to our poster today, all you need is faith, trust, and pixie dust! If only we could run to the supermarket and buy a bucket of that pixie dust and sprinkle it across every page we write. 

In lieu of that, there are some other things to heed that will help you achieve writing that readers will remember, not only for the content, but for the way in which you wrote the story or essay. 

Prose writers often steer clear of attempting to read or write poetry, but it would be wise to read a lot of poetry to soak up the vivid images the poet gives us, the use of onomatopoeia, alliteration, similes and metaphors. Poets can make words sing, and prose writers can strive to do the same.

Avoid using a lot of passive verbs. They are merely connectors for your subject and object. They show nothing to the reader. When you edit a first draft, get rid of as many passive verbs as you can. You'll never dump all of them, but make them scarce. An active verb shows something or someone doing something. They help your reader see what is happening.

Make use of your thesaurus. If you don't own one, there are several online that you can consult. Find alternative words for the common ones we often spread through our story or essay. 

Show what something looks like. Instead of telling me that that the lost boys came upon a river, say something like: They spotted water, a silver ribbon of life meandering between the shoulders of prairie grass. Use sentences like this, but don't try to make every sentence in your story the same kind. If you do, you'll lose your reader.

We're told to use adjectives and adverbs sparingly. Ooops, I just used an adverb. Use them too often or too many to describe one noun or verb, and you are overdoing it. Instead of showing your reader what something looks like or acts like, you might lose them from overdoing it. If you say, 'The soft, cuddly, carressable blanket soothed June enough to let her sleep.' It's better to choose one of those three adjectives. Your choice, as any one of the three would work. Be even more careful with adverbs. Instead of saying 'He kicked the tire furiously and angrily.' try: He gave the tire a mighty kick. That lets you know he is angry without telling the reader. 

Use a bit of alliteration now and then. For some reason, we like the continuation of words that begin with the same letters. Carol jumped over the small snake that slithered in the grass. Use it, but don't overdo a good thing. Sprinkle it like pixie dust, a little here and there.

Onomatopoeia means using a word that relates a sound. Birds chirped. The clang of the bell startled him. Again, it allows your reader to hear what is happening as well as seeing. 

Show your characters; emotions so that it transfers to the reader. Make the reader feel what the character is feeling. Again, don't overdo it. Too much of a good thing is exactly that--too much.

To write 'beautiful prose' you must work at it a little at a time. Do read poetry and look for the small ways the poet uses vivid images. Consider using much of the same when you write prose. Look for places to change when you edit your drafts. You, the writer, see exactly what is happening, you feel what the character feels, but your job is to transfer those feelings to the reader. 

All of the above suggestions come naturally to some writers, but others must work at it. 

Nobody ever said writing is easy. If we had that pixie dust, it might help. Otherwise, we've got to rely on ourselves. 

Using a Thesaurus When You Write

 

Do you settle for mundane words instead of searching for ones that are more colorful, more descriptive? 

Our poster for today shows you a two-column list of synonyms for the simple word 'want.' Can you believe that there are so many? Some are simply one word while others are a phrase. Whichever, each means 'want.' 

When you're proofreading your drafts, search for the simple words that might be made more interesting. I guarantee you will find many. If you can't dredge a few substitutions from the top of your head, there is always the old reliable thesaurus to help you. A thesaurus is a reference tool to help you find synonyms (other words with the same meaning) to substitute.

For those not familiar with this helpful tool for writers, start by looking up the word you want to enhance in the alphabetical listing. It's set up much like a dictionary. Under the word you found, there will be a list of suitable words to use in place of the original one. 

We all too often repeat words in a sentence or a paragraph. I've critiqued some submissions that repeat a word like 'need' as many as three or four times in one paragraph. Readers notice it and find it boring. If you want to pep up your writing, use your thesaurus and find substitutions to use in some of those spots. 

Why do some writers avoid finding synonyms or using a thesaurus to do so? It comes down to lazy writing which leads to boring writing. Have you ever read a book review that says something like 'her prose sings' or 'lyrical and lovely writing?' People who write like that don't rely on simple words or don't repeat the same word in sentences too close together. 

Maybe it comes down to your being a word person or a story person. Is one more important than the other to you? If you're all story, you might miss out on writing it in a pleasing way. If you're totally into words and phrases and not the story itself, something will also be missing. A combination of the two will result in some fine writing. 

To use the thesaurus to advantage, you'll need to take time to do so. Make it part of your proofreading and editing process. Ask yourself again and again as you proceed "Is there a better way to say this?" "Is there another word I can use?" 

You can purchase a thesaurus and keep it handy, or you can use one online for free. I've had one for years and keep close to my writing area, but I also use the online versions, too. Find one you like and bookmark it so it's a quick task to look up a word.

As a short writing exercise today, pick a few ordinary words and find synonyms in a thesaurus. You might begin by listing the ones that come to you off the top of your head, Then, check the thesaurus. 

It's simple things like this that will make you a better writer. 

Writers--Get Rid of Cliches

It's __________cats and dogs!

You all know what word to use in the blank above. It's one of the better-known cliches used in conversation and by writers. Yes, writers are guilty of using cliches. Why? 

For one reason, it's a whole lot easier to pull one up instead of coming up with something new. It's lazy writing. It also happens because we use cliches in our conversation quite often, so it unconsciously transfers to our writing. 

The dictionary gives this meaning:  a phrase or opinion that is overused and betrays a lack of original thought  Doesn't that make you cringe a bit? Not so much the 'overused' part but the 'betrays a lack of original thought' phrase. 

What are some synonyms for cliche? banality, bromide, commonplace, platitude, stereotype, truism, and my favorite--trite. 

When you come face to face with the meaning and some synonyms, it should make you want to avoid cliches whenever and wherever you can. 

Here's an exercise to help you trade a cliche for something better. Warning--thinking needed!

Write as many new phrases for each of the following cliches:

• white as snow
• red as a rose
• a bull in a china shop
• a bolt from the blue
• a bee in your bonnet
• a bird in the bush is worth two in the hand
• nothing ventured, nothing gained
• raining cats and dogs
• you can't judge a book by it's cover
• read between the lines
• play your cards right

In closing, I have a wee confession. When I first started writing, I was the Queen of Cliches. Breaking the habit became a goal. I credit my first online critique group for helping me. Have I given up cliches completely? No, but I'm much better at eliminating them. The problem is that they are so handy! 

Some Good Rules For Writers--Part 2

To continue with the Rules for LIFE:

5.  Assume nothing and question everything.  My first thought here is that many writers assume what the guidelines are for a particular magazine, website or book publisher. That throws up red flags because, if you don't follow the guidelines, you aren't going to get published. Same with writing contests. If you are still left wondering after reading the guidelines, don't assume. Send an email or make a comment on a facebook group page or a Contact Us on a website to ask about the part that is not clear to you.

6. Make peace with the past or you'll pay for it.  This seems pretty self-explanatory but, for some people, it's difficult to put the past behind and move on. If you don't work on making peace with the past, the stress alone can be a threat to your mental and emotional health. and throw up blocks to your writing. What's done is done. Try to move on.

7.  Stop thinking so much and start acting. Too much thinking about writing and not doing it is that old procrastination cropping up again. If you get an idea for a writing project, do think about it for a while but don't make it a marathon thought process. The sooner you start writing, the better. I was talking with another writer earlier today about the number of people who come to writing groups just to talk about writing but produce only small amounts of writing or none at all.

8.  Never compare yourself to others. I think this is a very important point. You are a unique person. No one else on this earth is exactly like you. There may be many you admire but you don't ever need to try to measure up to this person. You write in your own special way; your writing voice is unlike that of anyone else. 

In closing:  If you and I can follow all eight of these rules for LIFE in our writing journey, we can be proud of the writer we have become. 

New Writers Need To Believe--Memoirs and Family Stories

Ever hear naysayers in the world of those who want to write a memoir or family stories who utter things like:

I'm not a professional writer.

I can't write like some people do.

I want to write the story but I wouldn't know where to start.

My grammar is not good enough to write.

My writing is boring.

All of the above can be overcome. But the first thing you must do is believe that you can write a memoir or a book of family stories. Sounds easy? Maybe. Possible? Yes.

It takes some courage to do something new. Look at the people who zipline. Looks like fun but maybe a bit scary, too. Those who try to zip from one end of a line to the other have to believe they can do it or they'd never take step 1. 

An athletic kid who tries out for a sport has to believe in him/herself enough to make that effort. They know success is not ensured but they believe they can make it so they try. They're brave enough to give it a whirl. 

If you have a little bit of courage and a small dose of bravery, you can do many things you never thought you could. 

Believing in yourself is only part of being able to overcome the problems listed above. Another part is having the courage to try. Still another is working hard to be a better writer. How?

• Read--If you want to write a memoir, read as many as you can find. You'll see the various methods used.
• Read books on the topic of general writing--not just memoir or family stories.
• Attend conferences to learn more about writing methods.
• Do writing exercises--I pound and pound about this and too many writers want to skip it. Don't! Many books on writing have exercises at the end of each chapter. They are to help you. Try them!
• Sign up for a writing class--either locally or online. Don't be embarrassed to tell the others you're new at this game and here to learn. They'll admire you for that.
• Don't start out attempting to write a full book. Try short snippets that can be put together later. Taking on too much at the onset is overwhelming and sometimes defeating. A quick way to stop believing in yourself.

Becoming a better writer doesn't happen overnight or in a week or two. Time and hard work and writing on a regular basis all help you achieve that goal.