Searching for Words

Word Choices

While making up a word search puzzle for a student that I tutor, I pondered how we choose words when we write. I usually just write, letting the words come as I go, but sometimes I begin with a certain word or phrase and build around it, or brainstorm and play with different ways to say something. How do you choose your words?

Angela at The Bookshelf Muse regularly shares a Thesaurus Entry on various topics, such as setting, color, or description. Her posts are full of great words, phrases, similes, and metaphors that generate wonderful word pictures and inspiration. I encourage you to check out her blog; it might be just the word catalyst that you need.


Unpublished Author Contest

A friend alerted me to the Spoonfuls of Stories, a New Author Contest sponsored by Cheerios. Enter an original children's story for ages 3-8 for a shot at winning the Grand Prize of $5000 and a possible contract with Simon and Schuster.  Runners up receive $1000. Deadline to enter is July 15, 2010. One catch - to be eligible, you can't be a professional writer who writes for pay, such as a novelist or journalist. So this may take many of you out of the running, but perhaps you know someone who might be interested. Official rules and details can be found here.

Don't forget to share your thoughts on how you search for and choose your words when you write. Thanks a bunch, and have a great week.

Blessings:)