Thinkin' Thursday - The Power of Words

Negative Words

Debunk                           Nondescript

Defenestrate                    Nonpareil

Dejected                         Nonplussed

Disconsolate                    Unswerving

Dismayed                        Untold                                                 

Disparate                         Disheveled

Feckless                          Dismantle

Gormless                         Impetuous

Inane                               Impromptu                                                        

Incessant                         Incommunicado                                                              

Inchoate                          Indomitable

Incognito                         Innocent

Ineffable                          Innocuous                                                          

Inert                                Invert                                                   

Infernal                            Misgivings

Inhibited                          Insidious                                                             

Insipid                             Intact                                   

Insouciant                        Misnomer                                                          

Unbeknownst                  Nonchalant                                                             
Unnerved                        Noncommittal

Unscathed

As writers, we utilize the language to communicate setting, feeling, story. Without the words, sarcasm would certainly be a lost art. Every word we use paints a Picasso, a Monet, a Degas in ways that impart emotional connection & longevity of the tale. This list represents one sub-section of how the language can be used.

We all have favorites. Fastidious, facetious, banality; these are only a few of mine. What are some of yours? How do you work them in? And more important, how do you deal with it when they have to be exorcised?

Happy Writing,

Patti

AKA - The Writing Muse

Word of the Day for Wednesday, February 9, 2011

doppelganger \DOP-uhl-gang-uhr\, noun:
1. A ghostly double or counterpart of a living person.
2. Alter ego; double.

To readers of science fiction, the idea of a single atom existing simultaneously in two states or places is reminiscent of the supernatural "doppelganger" -- a flesh-and-blood duplicate of one's self encountered while walking along a street.
-- "Physicists Put Atom in Two Places at Once", New York Times, May 28, 1996

But my primary interest here is not the machinations of science itself but the fascinating life and times of its dark doppelganger, the mad scientist, in all his overreaching glory.
-- David J. Skal, Screams of Reason

Doppelganger is from the German doppel, "double" + Gänger, "goer."

That fickle muse & his/her ghostly encounters. Ah, the writer's life. We're not alone, we have spectral friends & they ain't named Casper!!

Happy Writing,

Patti

Scholarly Pursuits

Word of the Day for Tuesday, February 8, 2011

philomath \FIL-uh-math\, noun:
A lover of learning; a scholar.

It is precisely for the philomaths that universities ought to cater.
-- Aldous Huxley, Proper Studies

It's nothing to laugh about, he says. "Strange things happen in this country -- things that philosophers and other philomaths had never dreamed of."
-- Tomek Tryzna, Miss Nobody

Philomath is from the Greek philomathes, "loving knowledge," from philos, "loving, fond" + mathein, "to learn, to understand."

As writers, love of learning is our stock in trade.

Happy Writing,

Patti

Desire

Word of the Day for Monday, February 7, 2011

desideratum \dih-sid-uh-RAY-tum; -RAH-\, noun;
plural desiderata:
Something desired or considered necessary.

No one in Berkeley -- at least, no one I consorted with -- thought art was for sissies, or that a pensionable job was the highest desideratum.
-- John Banville, "Just a dream some of us had", Irish Times, August 24, 1998

Immense wealth, and its lavish expenditure, fill the great house with all that can please the eye, or tempt the taste. Here, appetite, not food, is the great desideratum.
-- Frederick Douglass, My Bondage, My Freedom

A technical dictionary . . . is one of the desiderata in anatomy.
-- Alexander Monro, Essay on Comparative Anatomy

Desideratum is from Latin desideratum, "a thing desired," from desiderare, "to desire."

Something with which I believe we can all identify.

Happy Writing,

Patti

Friday Mash Up - Feel the Love-y

Celebratories - Milo Fowler's 'Leap Day' debuted today in Port Iris Magazine & received anthological news as well!!! Jennifer Shirk received a contract for her third novel - Sunny Days for Sam!!!

In Other Blogs - Roni Loren posted on sacred cows & sending them packing. Lynda Young had a week of egg shells & critiques. Erica celebrated a birthday this week - yea. Jayne talked about the hidden, transportation & life plans. Karen Gowens shared some book love. Nicole MacDonald played with questions, the evil twin, wall flowers & sex scenes.

Deanna Knippling discussed snow, stats & ocean love. Erin Kane Spock held a memorial, a recollection & astrological investigation - fleshing character through the chart. Holly Ruggiero recovered from her illness & posted googly eyes & chicken tortellini soup - yum. Iggi & Gabi investigated from whence characters emanate. Jennifer Lane introduced the "Lookin' for Love Webhunt"; authors & Omnific.

Julie Musil adjudicated drama v. melodrama - a landmark case if ever there was one. Katie Anderson paid tribute to Pablo Neruda - poet & politician all in one package. Kristina Fugate covered editorial hangover, strange inspiration & determination. KK Brees enlightened with what the Rockford Files & Simon & Garfunkel have in common. Lisa Potts cooked up some spam - folder, that is.

Clarissa Draper posted a great piece about Margaret Mitchell; not the Tara girl next door. Laurie Halse Anderson posted her UK review of Wintergirls. Michelle Teacress reminisced about Glenda & the adventures in 9th grade acting. Donna Hosie plead on hearts & helps - the blog load debacle. Ooohh, Summer Ross brought Metamorphosis to the table this week in her series.

Elizabeth Spann Craig covered multi-tasking, promotion tools, interesting characters & the comfort zone, Writer's Knowledge Base & changing priorities in character growth. NR Williams wrapped up the blog tour, handed out some prizes, collected a few herself & even found time to talk guinea pigs. Nicki Elson posted her writing space & some tie love. Allan Russell coveted shady spots, Valentina & battering storms.

Madeleine had some 200 follower (yea!!) giveaways, haiku & confident kissing. Jennifer Becton shared a Chalotte Collins review, a memorial to a good friend & Amazon v. B&N. Simon Kewin invited us to send ourselves to Mars. Terri Tiffany talked about stand-out writing, movie critiquing aloud & passing it on to the family. Olivia Herrell discussed FIC& bloggetus contestus.

Leigh Moore walked over dream agents & Matched - a review to come later. The Alchemists took the music a bit farther; cover song appeal. The Blood-Red Pencil shifted its focus to Smashwords v. Amazon, the case of either/or/neither/nor; Super Bowl of writing; one bookstore's promo life & straight face; dashing through the WIP; and, the case of Anna Quindlen's missing inciting incident. Angela Ackerman looked at the art of Deception Thesaurus entry.

Jody Hedlund warned about Twitter blunderings, delineated benefits to the writing contest & running/winning make it your own. Maggie Stiefvater covered teasers, bloopers & writer retreats. Write1Sub1 listed their January Juggernauts - check 'em out.

The Old Silly doubled down on Groundhogs & killer storms. Lydia Sharp included online love, logline conquerors & 1980s fantasy (say Labyrinth, Legend, Willow). The Write Question gushed about National Book Critics Circle finalists - Rizzuto, Smith & Hitchens. The Writing Bug exposed typo hunting & discussed NCW Conference - time draws near. Jules discussed doctors, State of the Union & Friday meaning.

Hostings - Gabriela Lessa interviewed Wendy Tokunaga & a giveaway. Brenda Drake talked with Weronika Janczuk; check out the contest, starts Monday. Pat Stoltey hosted Arlee Bird who discussed his A to Z challenge for April. Janet Fox talked with Kathi Appelt, award winning author. Writer Unboxed hosted Sophie Masson, Michael & Daniel Palmer, & Kristina McMorris.

Reviews - The Cerebral Lunchbox reviewed Terry Pratchett's The Colour of Magic. Jeffrey Beesler discussed Alex J. Cavanaugh's Cassa Star. Jenn introduced a non-fic teen title, Phineas Gage by John Fleischman - a fascinating story. Francine Haworth covered Treasures of the Carmelidrium by NR Williams. The Golden Eagle talked Faerie Wars by Herbie Brennan; recommendation, expectation & in depth discussion.

Agent Blogs - Scott Eagan discussed follow-up protocol, writerly demise, write questions & the unique/good dynamic. Jessica Faust tackled agent revisions, Sally MacKenzie & Novella Writing, synopses, email thread & a thought for the day. Janet Reid produced Neil Gaiman fact laughs, cupcakes, winners, Chuck Wendig & Evan Lewis love. Kristin Nelson waxed on contract whine, -12 degrees of togetherness, temptation resistors, & a biggie issue. Rachelle Gardner covered snark, questions, agreements, love & hate with Mike Duran & a ski weekend - happy powder.

Wow, you guys have so much great stuff that this postie-oastie took longer than usual. I hope you are all safe, warm & warm. At the beginning of the week, 20 below colored my perception of this winter thing. Now, back in the 40s with a slight wind blow, my abhorrence has thawed; slightly. I look forward to Spring & Phil had best be right because I am starting seeds soon!!

Have a writerific weekend.

Patti