Wednesday, February 19, 2014

WORD FOR THE WEEK

SPECIFIC: Clearly defined or identified

EXAMPLE: In order to be specific you need to come to the point, go into detail, put a finger on, pin down and be precise.  :o)

QUOTE:

I always wanted to be somebody, but now I realize I should have been more specific. Lily Tomlin

To make your writing shine, use specific words when you write.

Did she walk or did she tiptoe, prod or prance?
Were her eyes just blue or were they sapphire or steel gray?
Did he drive a vehicle or a Ford F-150 or a scarlet mustang?

Use specific color, shape, taste, smell, touch, walk, etc. words in your writing.

They say we should write using all of our senses, but writers often don't use taste and smell words enough in their writing.

Here are a few taste and smell words for you to consider:

alkaline, bland, crisp, dank, earthy, fresh, gaseous, hot, musty, overripe, piney, raw, sour, stinky, tempting, vinegary

Can you add more to the list?


Mama Bird told Papa Bird to build her a nest in a hidden area. 
She should have been more specific!

Posted by Janet Smart  on Creative Writing in the Blackberry Patch.


6 comments:

  1. I love working the specific into my stories. It doesn't always come in the first draft but revision makes specific shine.

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  2. I love the new blog look!
    And I have gotten much more specific in my latest PB. Thanks!

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  3. I'm in the pursuit of being specific, and yet strangely always veer toward the vague corner of the world. It does make me conscious of this in my writing however, and I make a special effort to define things that might otherwise come across in watery hues.

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    1. Hi Crystal. Thanks for the comment. I think we are all in the pursuit of being specific and hopefully someday we will reach our goal.

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