Word Help
Need a shot in the arm in the word department? Angela Ackerman's The Bookshelf Muse regularly shares posts called Setting Thesaurus Entry, such as this one on airplanes. The post contains words relative to the topic, categorized by each of the five senses. Other regular posts include the Emotion Thesaurus Entry, where one emotion is featured with a myriad of words associated with it. Angela also includes helpful hints and examples, which really helps get the creative juices flowing.
Elephants?
For a bit of whimsical inspiration, check out the elephants at Raymonde Fauchard's Everyday I Walk With You. Not just any elephants, these are of the most colorful sort that almost defy description. Raymonde's talent for photography is apparent as she shares these spectacular creatures with us. I had all sorts of descriptive words come to mind when I visited. Good, fun, stuff!
What do you do when you are at a loss for words? Do elephants or other unusual things inspire?
Happy writing!
Karen
When I'm at a loss for words, I bring in my husband. He's a walking dictionary and a thesaurus. Love that about him!
ReplyDeleteFinding the right word is so very important. Thanks for the links. Going to check them out.
ReplyDelete~ Wendy
I checked out these links--especially the ones with the thesauraus and wow --very helpful! I always struggle with a new way to say the same old thing.
ReplyDeleteTHank you for my book! It came!
Karen, thanks so much for all your prayers. I so appreciate them. I am still feeling bad, and short of breath, but really hoping my next test looks good and shows lots of improvement. *fingers crossed*
ReplyDeleteI love Angela's blog. As a matter of fact, I've used her thesaurus as I was writing SEVENTY TWO HOURS. And it really helped.
How's everything going? Great I hope. I missed you Karen. =) *hugs*
I love her emotion thesaurus! It's awesome!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great blogs, Karen. I love Raymonde's :) There's always something beautiful to look at there.
ReplyDeleteBlessings
Dorothy :)
I agree. Raymonde is an amazing photographer. I visit her everyday.
ReplyDeleteI have an award for you over at my place. Thanks for the comments and for all the great links you provide here!
LOVE your new look, esp. the YELLOW!
ReplyDeleteSo sunny, so encouraging, like you!!
Hmmm. I call in my hubby, former coach and English teacher and Latin expert.
What I more often need help with are IDEAS. Plots.
Are you volunteering? LOL.
Patti
The Bookshelf Muse is a great resource. Thanks! And I like the new look!
ReplyDeleteHeather,
ReplyDeleteIt is great to have someone to bounce things off of - and especially nice if they live at your house!
Wendy,
I agree with you. Hope you find the links helpful! :)
Terri,
It is nice to have those resources when we need a boost with our writing. Glad you got the book. Enjoy!
Robyn,
Hope you will continue to mend and feel better. So nice to see you back again:) Angela's blog is a big help, isn't it?
Jessica,
I do too. What a resource for us! :)
Dorothy,
You are welcome! Yes, Raymonde's blogs are such a treat. She is so creative. :)
Thanks and blessings to all of you,
Karen
Lynn,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the award! What a nice surprise. So nice to be thought of, and glad to be a help with the resources.
Patti,
Thank you, glad you are enjoying the new look. I am too:) Good to have a resident resource such as your husband. Sure, I'll volunteer. Why not? :)
Susanne,
Angela has been a great help to so many. Glad that you've found her to be helpful.
Thanks and blessings to you all,
Karen
OK, so now I'm seriously having to come up with a time when I've been at a loss for words. There's a reason they called me "Chatty Kathy" as a child.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I'm only without words when troubled at heart. It is then best for me to rest and "be still" until the stream flows free.
Blessings,
Kathleen
Hi Karen -
ReplyDeleteI often visit Angela's blog. Her Thesaurus entries will jog the most reluctant brain.
Thanks for the links.
Blessings,
Susan :)
Kathleen,
ReplyDeleteToo funny! I do agree with your point, and hadn't thought about that. I have sometimes have a challenge with the right words when going through tough times. And then too, writing is often therapeutic for me too.
Susan,
You are welcome to the links. My brain does need the occasional jog now and then. Sometimes it's just a lone word, and Angela's blog is a help in that respect too.
Thanks and blessings to both of you,
Karen
Oh, I love the Bookshelf Muse! That is such an amazing resource.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to check out the elephants. When I am at a loss for words I will sometimes look at photos, sometimes I will skim Wikipedia, and sometimes I will try writing exercises. I several books with writing exercise ideas - they are more fun to do in a group like a writer's group but they still help doing them on my own.
I'm a repeat word offender, so the thesaurus's are a boon. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteWhen I am at a loss for words to write, I watch a movie or read a book (fiction) about my subject. There might be things in there that trigger my imagination.
ReplyDeleteVictoria
Margo,
ReplyDeleteIt is, isn't it? Hope you enjoy the elephants! Fun stuff:)
Jill,
Hope you find it helpful! And you are most welcome:)
Victoria,
Good idea, you never know when ideas will pop up!
Thanks and blessings to each of you,
Karen
Great links!
ReplyDeleteLove the new look. For a moment, I thought I'd walked into the wrong house.
Hanging out in your archives is a good thing to do when I need some inspiration. :)
Thanks for sharing these creative ideas/links. When I'm at a loss for words I hop on over to thesaurus.com and play. They have a cool visual thesaurus there to ride on.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the links. I'm always searching for new places to get words from. ;)
ReplyDeleteActually, I was editing a manuscript last night and noticed I was repeating several descriptive words far too often. :P
Sandra,
ReplyDeleteThank you, I'm enjoying the new look too. You are so sweet! Glad you find the posts helpful:)
Carla,
You are welcome:) That is a great site, a big help in many ways.
Emily,
It's easy to do, isn't it? Hope you find the links helpful!
Thanks and blessings to each of you,
Karen
OOh I interested in the setting posts! I believe it's so important to create setting as a character. It helps build such great imagery.
ReplyDeleteWhen I'm at a loss for words, I take a step back and read. I might push through and see if I can get through it but sometimes my brain needs a break.
ReplyDeleteNeed a huge shot in the arm today!!
ReplyDeleteMy editor husband told me recently that he believes I think in images first, rather than words. I've noticed that images can jump-start my thinking very effectively. But so can discussions.
ReplyDeleteAnne,
ReplyDeleteShe has some good ones, so hope you find it helpful! I agree, imagery is important.
Laura,
Yes, this is me too; I go back and forth in my approach. Some days one thing works, another, something else.
Jennie,
Well, hope we helped a little and inspired you!
Cassandra,
That's a good point; I bet many of us start that way and don't even realize it.
Thanks and blessings to all of you,
Karen
Oh my gosh you guys! Can you feel my smile all the way from Canada? Thank you all for the beautiful things you've said about my blog. This week has been a rough one on my soul and reading all these comments has totally lifted me up. It really makes me feel great that I have helped you all in some way or another.
ReplyDeleteKaren, you are so sweet for doing this post. I don't know how I missed it but here I am not, and so appreciative. You are awesome--thank you!
Angela @ The Bookshelf Muse
Angela,
ReplyDeleteYou are most welcome; it was a pleasure! Always glad to pass along helpful goodies. Your site is a great resource. Glad we could give you a little boost - we think you are great:)
Blessings,
Karen