Welcome to my new website and first blogpost at this site. Although I previously hosted a blog at dailycyn.wordpress.com, I've decided to make it available via link only, since all of those posts are old news by now.
I awoke this early morning with my mind whirling--not uncommon for a Monday. As I listened to my coffee brewing and was creating my 'to do' list for the day, I felt more than a little overwhelmed at how much I had to cram in before leaving to pick up my granddaughter Stella from Pre-K at 2 pm: another manic Monday. But the instant her name came into my mind, I could feel the corners of my mouth pull up. My whole self felt lighter somehow. My grandkids do that to me. They take the drudgery out of life and add light and joy. I am lucky enough to pick up this little darling, one of my seventeen grandchildren, from school each Monday, play with her for a couple of hours, feed her some dinner, go to Sweet Frog for frozen yogurt, take her to dance class, and then she spends the night. Not really a manic Monday at all, but rather a pretty darn magic Monday.
One letter can make quite a difference in a word--and in the way you experience and view things. From manic to magic. Fit or fat. Champ or chump. Imagine this text, "Wow Nathan! You are such a chump!" One letter difference goes from congratulating to insulting. And I'm sure most of us have experienced some of the comedic auto correct text word choices as well. Or how about voice to text? Some of those are too bad to list here.
As writers, word choice is extremely important. Readers have less time to read, so we are told to make the words we choose more precise and concise. We must use the most powerful verbs and meaningful nouns. The day of the circuitous story is past. Make every letter count. But, at the same time, we revere writers of old. We call their books "classics" and use them to study to improve upon our own writing. How does that align?
Personally, I like something in between. I belong to several writer's groups and provide feedback to numerous writings in progress. While I appreciate the hard work it takes to write, I find the super succinct writing to be somewhat 'cold.' I would choose to read something more descriptive every time.
What are your thoughts?
I tried to find a middle ground in my novel, A Deadly Suggestion. A good mystery, especially a ticking clock mystery, does require a degree of concision. But with my exploration of the human condition, I felt as though I could indulge a degree of descriptive language as well.
I would welcome your input.
Cyn