I ended up writing a bit last night about fighting writer's block--adapted in part from my response to a comment on the previous entry. So, you know, if it helps you, rock on
( Read more... )
my freshman year I was in advanced creative writing with a bunch of junior and senior English majors. One of them thought they'd be super cute (and by that I mean obviously more intelligent than the rest of us) and write a "period" piece that wasn't really in any established period. They used the word "ejaculated" in reference to an exclamatory statement (also unnecessary jargon). I circled it in nice red ink and put a big fat question mark beside it, "Is this really necessary?"
the next draft was marked by a distinct lack of ejaculates.
In one of the very first stories I wrote, I committed one of these egregious errors. A character got shot in the arm. His response? "Ouch!" he exclaimed.
My best friend and critic still teases me about that one.
I told off one of my college English professors two years ago because he didn't 'approve' of my using said. I used some of the same points your icon does. Scary.
And I love the 'boobies' icon. Had to mention that. :)
I can't speak for others, but I know why I've had trouble just using "said" in th past.
In middle school, we had to practice editing another student's creative writing assignment. I once had to edit a story with a page consisting of:
"Let's go swimming." Joe said. "Yeah, it is very hot today." Tommy said. "It is fun to go swimming." said Bobby. "Right." said Fred.
Ok, that last line was totally gratuitous. The point is,after that, I was traumatised. I realize that the writing in general was bad, but it was enough for me to bookmark the thesaurus entry for "said".
"Let's go swimming," Joe remarked. "Yeah, it is very hot today," Tommy averred. "It is fun to go swimming," replied Bobby. "Right," affirmed Fred.
That's even worse. Or, you could go crazy:
"Let's go swimming," Joe exclaimed. "Yeah, it is very hot today," Tommy breathed. "It is fun to go swimming," protested Bobby. "Right," Fred grated out.
Batman? Hell, that's the Hardy Boys in a nutshell.
"Joe, come here!" Frank whispered.
"What is it, Frank?" asked his blond-haired brother. "I've heard that signal three times now, just as the clock struck midnight. Do you suppose it could be espionage? "
As the young detectives listened, the signal came again! The boys did not wait to hear more. They ran through the yard and pounced on the source. But there was nothing there! As the boys stood wondering, the call came again, from the other side of the lawn.
Suddenly Frank smacked his forehead. "We've been had, Joe. By a Northern Mockingbird, no less." His brother grinned sheepishly.
It felt great to explain this rule to a couple of younger authors. They're so cute when they learn.
Reply
Reply
Reply
(And won't hotlink it either because that is EVIL.)
Reply
Reply
Reply
Doesn't mean it's a good idea!
Reply
Reply
the next draft was marked by a distinct lack of ejaculates.
hee. I said ejaculates.
Reply
My best friend and critic still teases me about that one.
Reply
Reply
I told off one of my college English professors two years ago because he didn't 'approve' of my using said. I used some of the same points your icon does. Scary.
And I love the 'boobies' icon. Had to mention that. :)
Reply
I don't understand at all the philosophy of not using "said." The adverb thing I can be flexible on, but hating "said"? That's just weird.
Reply
In middle school, we had to practice editing another student's creative writing assignment. I once had to edit a story with a page consisting of:
"Let's go swimming." Joe said.
"Yeah, it is very hot today." Tommy said.
"It is fun to go swimming." said Bobby.
"Right." said Fred.
Ok, that last line was totally gratuitous. The point is,after that, I was traumatised. I realize that the writing in general was bad, but it was enough for me to bookmark the thesaurus entry for "said".
Reply
"Yeah, it is very hot today," Tommy averred.
"It is fun to go swimming," replied Bobby.
"Right," affirmed Fred.
That's even worse. Or, you could go crazy:
"Let's go swimming," Joe exclaimed.
"Yeah, it is very hot today," Tommy breathed.
"It is fun to go swimming," protested Bobby.
"Right," Fred grated out.
Holy melodrama, Batman!
Reply
"Joe, come here!" Frank whispered.
"What is it, Frank?" asked his blond-haired brother. "I've heard that signal three times now, just as the clock struck midnight. Do you suppose it could be espionage? "
As the young detectives listened, the signal came again! The boys did not wait to hear more. They ran through the yard and pounced on the source. But there was nothing there! As the boys stood wondering, the call came again, from the other side of the lawn.
Suddenly Frank smacked his forehead. "We've been had, Joe. By a Northern Mockingbird, no less." His brother grinned sheepishly.
"I'm glad Dad wasn't here to see this!"
(by particle_person M. Dixon)
Reply
Leave a comment