Thinking Outside the Box?

Do you eat an apple a day? Know someone who is as slow as molasses in January? Talk about the pot calling the kettle black? Avoid editing like the plague?

Are cliches present in your writing?

If so, you might want to check out Brian Klem's article, 12 Cliches All Writers Should Avoid. Brian and his colleagues compiled a list of overused cliches. See if you concur.

While I agree that some cliches are best avoided, I think that they can stretch our creativity and provide fresh ideas. Depending on what I'm writing, I like adding my own spin. If, in my historical fiction WIP for example, I wanted to say "If walls could talk." I might use a location familiar to my main character, such as a barn, general store, or corral to convey the same idea.

Here are a few links to get those cliched thoughts churning:

ClicheSite has an alphabetical listing of phrases and interesting sayings.

Garden Digest lists an assortment of garden and agriculture related cliches, metaphors, and idioms.

And don't forget one of my all time favorite blogs, The Bookshelf Muse. This post's link discusses when it's okay to use cliches, like in dialogue and thoughts. The site also offers advice on metaphors, similes, and dozens of other helpful tidbits.


A Quick Congrats

Congratulations to Rhonda Schrock, winner of Unending Devotion by Jody Hedlund!


What do you think? Are cliches helpful or harmful? Do you use many?


Happy writing,

Karen

Photo credit: Stock Exchange

Like or As?

How old were you when you first learned about similes and metaphors? I was about ten, and I remember experiencing some confusion over these interesting figures of speech.  While I won't say I've mastered them, I do understand them better now. It is amazing how they enhance our writing, isn't it?

As you know, the simile is a comparison of two things using the words like or as.        

            

Here are two examples. (Don't laugh, okay? I may still have residual ten year old trauma as I was only able to identify them when I spotted the words like or as.) 

He ran as fast as an antelope.             

             

Her smile was as bright as the morning sunshine.

The metaphor further stymied my young brain, but I eventually saw how they make a comparison or an analogy, showing the relationship between two things. 

Thank you for not laughing at these examples either.  

Autumn is the relief valve for summer.       

The lake is a shimmering oasis on the landscape.

Metaphors convey a mood, and create a stronger impression than a simile. They provide powerful and stirring images for the reader. 

In her post Inside the Metaphor, Angela Ackerman of The Bookshelf Muse defines a metaphor by saying one thing is another. Angela also tells us how to build strong metaphors, and cites examples for those of us who need more practice (like me!).

Writing similes and metaphors is a great cross training technique. If you feel up to the challenge, check out this link. K.L. Oberst shares an interesting exercise in metaphors that will jump-start even the most reluctant imagination.

How are your simile and metaphor skills? Have you come across any interesting ones lately?  

Anyone care to write one to go with the picture above? If so, please share it!

Have a fabulous weekend,

Karen

P.S. The Random Acts of Kindness fun continues with giveaways and more. Check it out here.

Photo credit: Stock Exchange

 

Copyright 2012, Karen Lange.

Thursday's This and That

I've another round of tidbits and goodies to share. Hope you find something helpful!

Links and Resources

Do you write to express or write to impress? Author Bernadette Pajer shares her thoughts on this topic over at Chuck Sambuchino's blog. I think her advice, particularly in the area of writer's block, can be liberating - see if you agree.


Here's the answer to the question that's been on many writer's minds - Do you italicize internal dialogue? Deareditor.com has info on this and other interesting topics, like how to obtain height in your dialogue or how to get back on track after an editor calls you an idiot. There's a little something for every writer, check them out!

Looking for freelance work? The Freelance Writing Jobs site might be of help. While there, check out their assortment of helpful articles, writing tips, and business help. Click here for more info.

The wait is over! The Emotion Thesaurus by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi will be released next week! Angela and Becca blog over at The Bookshelf Muse and offer wonderful writing insight in their posts. They compiled a book with their great writerly advice; I expect it will be a must have for every writer's library. Can't wait to pick up a copy! If you aren't already following their blog, I highly recommend that you do so.

Book Review

Lessons From the Tree House by Carol Alexander

After her sons built a tree house, Carol Alexander realized that they didn't just get a tree house in the bargain, they gained important life skills too. Spurred on by the sobering statistics that most children spend only 30 minutes of outdoor free play each week, she decided to review the process, document it, and share the steps in this new ebook. I'm glad she did, for the result is a wonderful, hands on guide for parents and children of all ages.

Carol divides the procedure into three steps, the design, building, and enjoyment phases. Each phase is broken down further into subjects such as mathematics, computer skills, drawing, science, writing, and even public speaking. The hands on lessons provide a plan for all ages that can be used as is, or tailored further to suit more specific needs and interests. The target audience is the homeschool family, but this would be a great resource for other groups such as 4H or scouts.


In addition to providing suggested books and links, Carol includes quotes from students and parents. I thought this was a great addition to highlight various aspects of the project. Illustrations, photos, vocabulary lists, and even grid paper that can be reproduced are also tucked into this handy guide.

Carol's newest ebook is, in my opinion, another winner. It is exactly the type of resource I would have used when homeschooling my three children. I'll have to keep it in mind for the grandkids!


Carol is also the author of Lessons From the Hen House and Lessons From the Seed Catalog and can be found at her blog, Everything Home With Carol.





Run across any good links lately? What are you up to this weekend?

Happy weekend,
Karen


Photo credit: Stock Exchange

Grammar Blues

I'm going to tell you something, but you have to promise to keep it a secret, okay?

I was reviewing an article when I spotted the word "your". There it was, just sitting there, minding its own business. No big deal, right? I use the word all the time.

However, it should have been "you're". I mentally slapped myself. I rarely make this kind of mistake, even in a draft. As an online writing instructor, I am always on the lookout for slip ups. I have to. It comes with the territory, you know? 

I was more aggravated than I should have been (hadn't had chocolate yet that day). This particular error is one of my pet peeves, so I was surprised my typing fingers and thinking brain hadn't connected. Anyway, I've moved on and have attributed the incident to the lack of chocolate.

It reminded me of the portion of my lessons where I talk about homonyms and homophones. Do you know what they are? You might not recognize the terms; I am sure, however, that you are acquainted with the the definitions.

Here's a hint. Take clues from the Greek and Latin roots. 

phone means sound. And so…

Homophones are words that sound alike but have a different meaning and spelling.       

to, too, and two, their, there, and they’re, your and you’re  

The prefix homo means same, and the suffix nym means word or name. So it makes sense that…

Homonyms are words that are spelled the same and sound alike but have different meanings, like this:                                                                   

The cart is full.                       

We will cart the boxes into the house.

                                                             

We swam in the pool.              

They played a game of pool at the party.

See? I knew you knew what they were!

In honor of my chocolate deficient grammar mishap, thought I would share a few helpful links:

Grammar Girl

Web Grammar

The Bookshelf Muse

What grammar gaffe gets your goat?

Happy writing,

Karen

Photo credit: Stock Exchange

Links, a Contest, and Happy 4th!

Happy Fourth of July! 

What will you be doing this weekend? 

Will you be exhibiting any of the Happiness/Joy emotions as outlined at The Bookshelf Muse? 

Perhaps you will be gathering story or article ideas close to home, as suggested in this Funds For Writers article by Beth Bartlett.

Or maybe you'd like to enter the Glimmer Train Very Short Fiction Contest. Hurry, though, the deadline to enter is July 31, 2010. Entry fee is $15 and First Prize is $1200.

BTW, if you haven't seen Monday's post, When Did You Know?, you might want to join in the fun. There's a fabulous discussion going about how, when, and why the need to write came about for each of us.

Whatever your plans, have a safe and happy weekend!

Blessings,

Karen

At a Loss For Words?

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