The Writer’s Boot Camp
PART 1
As an apprentice writer, I considered my thesaurus an indispensable tool. I still do, today. Only now, rather than trawling for bigger, fancier, more impressive words, I use my thesaurus to find the right words.
Like paint, words have shades of meaning, color, or nuance. The word walk-to advance or travel on foot at a moderate pace-differs subtly from its synonym saunter, meaning to walk with a leisurely gait. Neither word quite means stroll, to walk leisurely as inclination directs, or meander, to proceed by or take a winding or indirect course. These are words are not interchangeable, although lazy writers use them as if they were.
Writing precisely is hard. It requires us to think carefully, dig deeply, burrow past the generalities scratching the surface. Only when ideas are clear, honed, fully refined, can we select proper words to express them.
Thinking clearly consumes precious energy, and time. Easier and quicker to get close, say almost what you mean, cross your fingers, and hope no one notices.
The problem is, people do notice.
Unfortunately, we rarely hear the truth until it’s too late. We receive, from the agent at the top of our wish list, the editor of a magazine we’ve been dying to write for, the dreaded form-letter rejection. A frustrated reader posts a scathing review of our book on the Internet-or, worse, people buy our book and return it.
In our writing life, we don’t often get second chances.
By taking a few extra minutes to think clearly, write precisely, you can avoid humiliation. Use your thesaurus. It’s one of the most helpful tools in your chest. Then open your dictionary. Even if you think you know a word’s definition, look it up. You may be surprised.
Consider peruse, for example. Many people, even educated folks who should know the difference, think peruse means to read quickly, or scan. In fact, it means to read carefully, in a leisurely way, or to study. Acute, assume, copious, expedient, flaunt, imply, irony, proximity-all these words are commonly misused.
Be good to yourself. Choose the right-not the almost, close to, nearly right-word. Don’t write run if you really mean jog, dart, dash, scurry or scamper. Or use hide if bury, veil, cover or screen would do a better job.
Make a habit of using the dictionary. Think carefully, use words precisely-and your writing will shine!
What are your thoughts on precision? How do you choose the right words to use?
Part 2: Two rules worth breaking
Related posts
- Doug – Off the Record: A Visual Thesaurus
- Nail Your Novel: Repetition – a two-ended hammer
I am so glad to hear this, Terri. I see so many writer's on FaceBook and Twitter who absolutely love Stephen King, and I have to wonder if any of them are aware of one of his more famous quotes: "Any word you have to hunt for in a thesaurus is the wrong word. There are no exceptions to this rule."
I use my thesaurus all the time. There are times I know what I am trying to say, but a word I am using just doesn't seem quite right…just like you explained above. And my trusty thesaurus gives me enough options that I always find the one that fits. (Especially those times that the exact word is right there, on the tip of your tongue (or brain) but for the life of you, you just can't think of it! More often than not, that seems to be my problem!
Thanks for this post! I'm glad I am not the only one who does not agree with King!
Sharon :)
I so agree with you, Terri and Sharon. I have recently read a couple of articles that put forth the belief that when people use a thesaurus, they are looking for fancy words to show off. Maybe others do that, but for me, I need and use the thesaurus to find exactly the right word to fit what I'm trying to say. I have done this since early high school, and have never stopped. Especially these days, as I get a little older and struggle even when not writing for the right word. I cannot sit down to write without my high school thesaurus, older than I will share, right beside me. I don't think this makes me a weaker writer because the right word doesn't come naturally; I think this makes me a much better writer, because I find the word that must be the only word that fits.
So nice to see you here, Michele! I completely agree with you. Four or five years ago, I began teaching a course (Boston College) called "Techniques of Precise Expression." I tend to be particular anyway, but teaching the course made me more aware than ever of the power of words. I'd always used a thesaurus, in just the way you and Sharon describe; now I wouldn't be without it!
It's fun talking with you!
Terri
Hi Sharon,
I find your King reference so interesting! I've read On Writing as well as numerous essays he's written about writing and never heard this quote. No exceptions strikes me as harsh . . . plus, definitive terms tend to get my hackles up. I use my thesaurus exactly as you do. In conjunction with a dictionary, it's an invaluable tool.
Thanks very much for visiting!
Terri
I do the exact same thing. I have a word in mind, check it's meaning just to be sure, & find another that is EXACTLY what I meant in the first place. You gave great examples of this.
I'm off to twitter this! Everyone can learn from it!
Thank you so much, Terri! The mental fist bump feels wonderful. :)
I'm so happy to know you! I'm about to post a blog in your honor right now.
Hope you have a great weekend!
t
Excellent post. I've found more times than I care to admit that my understanding of a word's meaning was slightly off (although none of those you listed, go figure). Even if we do know a word's definition, we also need to keep in mind the tone of the word, because some words can be considered harsh, others soft, some negative, others positive, etc., and we not only want to convey the right meaning, but also deliver the appropriate mood. I almost always have thesaurus.com open when I'm writing and revising. I have my book by my side, too, but on the site, I can click on other words to get even more variations quickly, look up the words to make sure they fit exactly right, etc. I think I'll like this book camp! :)
Thank you so much, Kristie. You make excellent points! You are so right – yes, using the right word is important for meaning and precision, but it's also about tone, connotations and so on. Thanks so much for adding your insight!
I hate to be the one dissenter here, but I don't think writing improves with the use of a Thesaurus. The reason is that unless you've already used the word in context multiple times, you are very likely to choose a word from the Thesaurus list that carries meanings that you don't intend to express.
In other words, if you have to look it up, you don't own that word yet. It isn't safe for you to be using it in a sentence. You have a much greater chance of ending up looking like a fool. This is why King expressed his advice so strongly.
The only way to expand your vocabulary is by reading copiously.
Hi Elizabeth,
You make excellent points. Often, when we pick a word from a thesaurus, we don't own it. Even if we use it correctly, if nothing else, it can sound false or pretentious. At the same time, a thesaurus can be a good way to remind ourselves of words we do know. Sometimes I want to express a thought or idea and can't do it precisely with the words that come immediately to mind. Say, for instance, I'm trying to think of the word for a particular type of dance, or type of lighting, or an exact color. Using a thesaurus helps me to be much more precise. As I'm a stickler for precision – I teach a class called "Techniques of Precise Expression"; maybe that's why – I find my thesaurus indispensable.
Thanks so much for stopping by. I appreciate your insight and perspective to this discussion!
Terri,
Excellent post! I have Thesaurus{dot}com in my tabs as soon as my browser pops up. One thing I never focused on growing up or during school (any of them) was my vocabulary. It amazes me how I achieved the grades I did stomping around the English language for that many years!
Indispensable tool the dictionary and thesaurus is now. I don't know what I would do without them!
I'm smiling, Brandon! Thank you!! Oh, yes, I am with you 100%. I'd be completely lost without my dictionary and thesaurus!
I appreciate your stopping by. Thank you so much!
Great post, Terri. I thought the thesaurus was my own dirty little secret. Your point that an editor will notice a less than word is well taken, but the opposite is true as well. The perfect word makes your piece jump off the page. As an (ahem) senior writer, one who use to have almost the entire dictionary and thes at her fingertips, age has played havoc with my memory. While I am not senile, Father Time is having his way with me. Often I know the word I want but it just won't drift up from the old memory bank. Playing around with the thes doesn't always help me, but often just perusing a list of similar words will prod the right one to jump forward. I've often said it takes a village to write a story and the thesaurus can be a trusted elder (so to speak!).
Hi, Helen. Thank you so much for sharing your insights. I will now forever think of my thesaurus as the trusted village elder! As writers, we shouldn't feel the need to hide or "keep dirty little secrets." The craft is all about baring our hearts, our minds, and souls with unabashed honesty. It's time for us to break free from the shackles of what we are "supposed to be doing." :-)
P.S. I enjoyed your use of "perused." Good job employing an often misused term 100% correctly.
Thank you, Terri, for this very important reminder. This one thing, above all others, can make the difference between a memorable or abjectly forgettable read. I cringe every time I see "peruse" used to look over a person or scene. Peruse indicates one is reading or examining a written work. You can't peruse a person, but oh my, so many authors certainly try!
Bailey
Ha ha! I'm cringing right along with you, Bailey. :-P
I am a rookie but I loved your ideas would like to learn more..I am finding the precise nature of words have made fools of lesser men..lol look forward to reading on this site thanks steve
Thank you, Steve! Gotta love those go-to writing reference books – thesaurus, dictionary, Strunk & White. They help keep you on the productive writing path :-)
I tend to go with the word that feels right. but if I do ever want to look up a different one, then I look it up to make sure it is the right word. I live with a diectionary/theasaurus combination next to me when I'm writing. That way I can look up the words and still get them right, too. And if i'm not sure, then I double check.
I never write precisely in my first draft – I always follow Anne Lamott's advice to let myself write what she calls the "Shitty First Draft." But I always polish my work up later with handy-dandy thesaurus. That's when "ran" becomes "sprinted," and "dripped" becomes "oozed." I always get excited when I do this, because it's really fun to find just the right words that make my writing come alive. Nice post.
(Not having read comments yet to dissuade my initial thoughts…)
I whole heartedly agree! When reading a fast-paced scene, a word that implies slowness or lack of urgency that the entire rest of the paragraph conveys is like a mental record skip. Whaaaaaaat?
Write, write, write, but in editing, befriend your thesaurus. I think that in the moment, trying to get the words out, using the wrong word is fine, but do not lose the movement and tone because your word choices are not consistent.