Friday, October 22, 2010

On a Quest to Find Just the Right Word



Today was a day of fighting with words. And believe me, it was a struggle. A battle. Words--those just-right ones, ones best for the thought, those that would convey on paper what I pictured in my head--proved elusive. In scene, emotion, dialogue. They just wouldn't come. Maybe I need a few days reprieve. Oh, yes--it's the weekend. I'll take the break!

 But I'll also take comfort in knowing that most writers have such days.

Yet, along with the problems, the fits and starts, I was reminded of just how important it is to find that right word. How important it is to not settle for a close-second. Maybe I should just put things aside for a few days. The reminder came in this little ditty that I ran across. It comes from David Carroll's A Manual of Writer's Tricks:

Call a woman a kitten, but never a cat;
You can call her a mouse, cannot call her a rat;
Call a woman a chick, but never a hen;
Or you surely will not be her caller again.

You can call her a duck, cannot call her a goose;
You can call her a deer, but never a moose;
You can call her a lamb, but never a sheep;
Economic she likes, but you can't call her cheap.

Ha! There we go. It's that important. What do you think? Been struggling with just the right word, too?

9 comments:

  1. Been doing that a lot lately-- and what a joy when it comes!

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  2. Love the poem!

    And yes, wrestle with my share of words too. Somehow it always works out, but not, sometimes, without a fight.

    Happy weekend,
    Karen

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  3. I've been struggling with several sentences, trying to get the right word, the right phrase, what a feeling of accomplishment when it finally comes.

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  4. Hi Kenda, followed you via your comment on Catherine Winn's blog. Loved the ditty. I sometimes struggle with words too.

    Rachna

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  5. Terri, Karen, Catherine--thanks for stopping by :-) Wishing you success in finding just the right words this week!

    And happy to meet you, Rachna. Thanks for the follow. I'm heading over your way right now for a visit :-)

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  6. I love that poem.

    When I have time, I like to read the dictionary just looking for words that might come in handy. ;)

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  7. Hi Janet, glad you liked the poem. And Sandra--a fellow dictionary reader?! That can be an adventure in itself, can't it? Glad to know I'm not the only one who does that :-)

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  8. hahahaha, been struggling too and a dictionary is my best friend when i write, wheeeewwwww..,

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