Punch it up!
You write, a lot. You plant the seed and spin a story from there, but perhaps you have a hard time choosing just the right word. A writer needs words like one lost in the desert needs water. And the irony is, you need more and more strong vocabulary words so you can be selective in those simple words you choose to use.
So, in hopes of helping you cultivate that ever-expanding vocabulary, here are a few tips and some helpful resources.
Up for the challenge? You’re going to need time, reading materials, a great interest in words and writing, your imagination, and of course, your computer or phone or whatever you like to rummage around on the internet with.
Photo by NordWood Themes on Unsplash
First, the obvious. One of the best ways to expand your vocabulary is by reading. Read everything. Novels, non-fiction, newspapers, articles. All will help you to improve your vocabulary. Hopefully, in addition to simply reading for your personal entertainment (which you, as a writer, are permitted to do only occasionally) you’re making note of words you don’t know as you read, and sooner or later looking them up in the dictionary. Good idea! You’re not going to make a strong effort to memorize every one and every meaning, but you’ll be surprised at how many just ‘stick’ because you’ve looked them up and paid attention.
Want to build your vocabulary in a fun and helpful way? Then check out FreeRice.com. You answer multiple-choice questions regarding word meanings, and at the same time, you donate rice to help relieve hunger. A great site. Fun and broadening.
Here’s a more scholarly site. VocabTest. If you’re serious about ‘boning’ up on your vocabulary, this could well be the site for you. It offers tests that are divided by grade up to ‘Senior’ — which might be the level you want to begin at. Or maybe you want to start easy and give yourself a refresher. Units that become progressively more difficult are offered, and you’re retested on words you get wrong. Best of all, it’s free.
A Thesaurus is key to helping you word build. There are lots of them free on the web. There’s also the online Visual Thesaurus. It has an initial free trial period of two weeks, and then if you find you’re making a lot of use of it, a charge kicks in. Certainly worth exploring and seeing for yourself.
Looking for a helpful, hold-in-your-hand, hard copy book you might find useful? Then check out Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis.
A great vocabulary study book. Your library might have it, but in paperback it isn’t too expensive, and I found I did write a lot in mine.
Photo by Alexandra on Unsplash
You can try Bringing Words To Life by Isabel L. Beck. “Exciting and engaging vocabulary instruction” A more expensive paperback, but a very good vocabulary builder. Again, perhaps your library, a local bookstore, or online.
And now, in conclusion, for a final note. Great writers have great vocabularies, but don’t think that means you need to rub your expertise in everyone’s face. The fact of the matter is, once you have that great vocabulary, it is how you use it, not which ‘hundred-dollar words’ you use. In other words, don’t show off. Find new ways to use words to make your story colorful and engaging. Savor words like fine wine and allow your readers to do the same. Surprise them, amuse them, find that new turn of a phrase that hasn’t been used before. The secret to a great vocabulary is to learn how to engage your reader.
As I’ve said so many times before, another plus is read, read, read! Oh, and don’t forget, while you’re focusing on expanding your vocabulary, give yourself a break at times and just read for entertainment. Seriously, sometimes you have to just not care about the minutia and just enjoy yourself.
*If you’d like to read a bit of my writing, my award-winning short story Skykicker is available on Medium - free to read.
Buy me a cup of coffee!
*Don’t forget to come visit me on Social Media and Amazon;
Want to learn from me? Check out Romancing Your Novel, my UDMY romance writing course.
And if you’re interested in fun gift ideas for writers or just cool stuff for yourself, visit my Story Seeker shop over on Zazzle (yes, I’d get a small commission should you click and purchase) at:
*There are a few items mentioned above that, if clicked on and purchased, could result in a small commission for me.
No posts
Comments
Nothing yet. Say the first thing.
Sign in to join the conversation.