The Six Traits: Word Choice

Don't use words too big for the subject. Don't say 'infinitely' when you mean 'very'; otherwise you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite.
~C. S. Lewis

The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and the lightning bug.
~Mark Twain

When brainstorming today's topic I remembered these quotes from back in June.
Word choice is important. It makes charaters leap off the page, makes action seem real, and adds prose-like quality.
The Number One Rule (and I'm guilty of it myself) is DON'T USE WORDS YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND.
I sometimes use words I've heard that sound long and fancy, even if I have no clue what they mean. Then it usually backfires and makes me sound…well, not as brilliant as I’d hoped.
 
That lovely thesaurus word isn’t always the right word. Small words have a place in literature. Small words are especially useful when describing something huge and “beyond description.”
 
Like most of the six traits, you don’t have to worry about word choice during the first, or even the second, draft. It’s more of a polish than a building block.

Rubric:
Words convey the intended message in a precise, interesting, and natural way. The words are powerful and engaging.

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Writing Unconsciously

I'm one of those people who feel like every time I write, my future reader is peering over my shoulder, clucking their tongue and making remarks. I feel I have to please them in every way.

So far, the only way I've found to work around that is by writing unconsciously.
I'm not talking about yoga or getting yourself into a trance. (But if that helps you take the focus off the 'what-if-I-don't-get-it-right' syndrome then great, do it.)

What I mean is writing the words you want by letting the words carry you.
Let the words carry you like an ocean wave (that sounds so corny.) But if any of you have ever swam in the ocean, you notice how the waves rise you up and down flowing easily and with zero effort.

If you fight the waves, you quickly become exhausted. If you let them carry you, it's very easy, though they'll take you places you may not have planned to go. (Since we're comparing the ocean to your story, that's okay.)

I kind of zone out before writing, maybe do a little free-writing beforehand. I try to focus on my characters when I'm writing, not a nonexistent reader. (Which is pretty ironic since my characters don't exist either.)

LET THE WORDS CARRY YOU. You are a little boat in an ocean of words, be taken places you've never imagined.

Over-thinking can kill creativity.

DON'T THINK ABOUT IT; DIVE IN HEADFIRST

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Why People Write

I was reading Writing For Your Life by Deena Metzger, and she spoke about the magic of words. Something I'd completely forgotten about.

"Oh Yeah. That magic."

I used to be so adamant about the magic of words, being able to create things where before there was only you and the blank paper.

And then I forgot. And the blank page appeared frightening rather than an invitation to be creative.

But the worst thing that came from forgetting was that I began viewing writing as a chore/desk job.

Back in July I wrote about loving what you do. Why did you want to write to begin with?

I started because I loved words. (If that's not why you started that's fine, don't freak out.)

But it stands to reason, that to love writing you should probably love words.

You are a wordsmith. Words are your trade. Love them and they'll love you back.

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Writers' Pride

You've just written a chapter that your very proud of. The sentences are lyrical. The action is engaging. It's then you realize that it isn't the direction the story needs to go. But its so good.
Letting it go was one the hardest things I learned to do (and I did a lot of it.) The trick is to not get attached to your writing.
Stephanie Meyer wrote a 700 paged sequel to Twilight called Forever Dawn. She didn't like it so she chucked all 700 pages! (Where does she find time to write 700 pages anyway?)

Sure, be proud of your writing, of what you accomplish. But don't be attached to every word.

If you're not failing every now and again, it's a sign you're not doing anything very innovative.
~Woody Allen

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The Six Traits: Organization

This one's relatively short; organization means that things happen in order. Beginning, middle and end.

Writing out of order is sometimes confusung, but don't worry about putting the puzzle pieces together until you've written the rough draft .

Rubric:

The organization enhances and showcases the central idea or theme. The order, structure, or presentation of information is compelling and moves the reader through the text.

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