One of my pet peeves is the use of the words, get and got. I am especially annoyed when I read, "I've got to go." I have got, really? Just leave, already. There are many replacement words for get and got.
Get rid of.. dispose of.
Get away...leave, go, escape.
Don't get so...don't become.
Get over it...let it go.
I got a new car...I purchased, bought.
You'll get past it...You'll survive or overcome.
We'll get together at lunch...We'll meet.
Replacement words are endless.
Acquire
Catch
Develop
Obtain
Find
Procure
Annex
Grasp
The point is, when you use a contraction such as I'VE, it means I have. I have got doesn't make sense. Either you have it or you don't.
What are your thoughts on this?
When I edit my manuscripts, I keep a list of synonyms available. Not to make my words sound stilted, but to keep from repeating verbs. I have dozens of replacements for common words like walk, talk, put, looked, thought, remembered, etc. It helps to keep my voice fresh and my words from becoming redundant.
Reach me @brennanwrites on twitter. My fan page: https://www.facebook.com/joycewritesromance
or leave a comment on this page
You can purchase my latest ebook, The Hidden Journal on Amazon.
.
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
Drama in a Small Town: WRITING REVIEWS
Drama in a Small Town: WRITING REVIEWS: Posting a review on an authors webpage or on Amazon doesn't have to be difficult. You don't have to write an essay or a complete syn...
WRITING REVIEWS
Posting a review on an authors webpage or on Amazon doesn't have to be difficult. You don't have to write an essay or a complete synopsis, but the author will appreciate your words. She or he spent long months writing the book.
Think about what you liked about the book. What kept you reading the novel? Did the author provide characters that you could identify with?
Did the author place you in the scene? Did you get into the character's head? Could you understand the character's thinking whether it was flawed or right on target? Was there a good mix of description and back story sprinkled throughout the story? Don't be the critic, but pick out one or two things you really liked about the story. One line will tell it all.
"The author drew me into the story."
Was the story predictable or did it have enough twists to keep you reading until the end?
"Just when I thought I knew where the author was going, she threw me a pleasant surprise."
Did the story touch a sensitive place in your heart?
"I experienced the emotions as the author spun the tale."
Book sales depend upon reviews from the readers.
.jpg)
Check out THE HIDDEN JOURNAL, by Joyce Brennan on Amazon. Read the first chapter to get a feel for the book. For less than a cup of good coffee, you can download this ebook.
Joyce Brennan
Think about what you liked about the book. What kept you reading the novel? Did the author provide characters that you could identify with?
Did the author place you in the scene? Did you get into the character's head? Could you understand the character's thinking whether it was flawed or right on target? Was there a good mix of description and back story sprinkled throughout the story? Don't be the critic, but pick out one or two things you really liked about the story. One line will tell it all.
"The author drew me into the story."
Was the story predictable or did it have enough twists to keep you reading until the end?
"Just when I thought I knew where the author was going, she threw me a pleasant surprise."
Did the story touch a sensitive place in your heart?
"I experienced the emotions as the author spun the tale."
Book sales depend upon reviews from the readers.
Check out THE HIDDEN JOURNAL, by Joyce Brennan on Amazon. Read the first chapter to get a feel for the book. For less than a cup of good coffee, you can download this ebook.
Joyce Brennan
Friday, March 7, 2014
Heart of Fiction: Betsy Bennett: Her Puzzle
Heart of Fiction: Betsy Bennett: Her Puzzle: A great big welcome back to Betsy Bennett. Today, she's celebrating the release of her newest title, Her Puzzle. Betsy was with us p...
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Drama in a Small Town: ANNETTE DRAKE SPOTLIGHT
Drama in a Small Town: ANNETTE DRAKE SPOTLIGHT: Annette Drake The joys and perils of the writing life Skip to content · About the Author · Annette’s blog · ...
ANNETTE DRAKE SPOTLIGHT
The joys
and perils of the writing life
Author spotlight: Joyce Brennan
Welcome romance author, Joyce Brennan.
Why do you write fiction?
I came from a small town in Ohio and never felt the need to write memoirs or non-fiction about my life. That said, I pull from my experiences growing up in a carefree atmosphere. I remember the politics of a small community and the gossip about almost everything. It gives me more than enough information to write fiction.
Please tell us about your book. What ideas or images inspired this novel?
The Hidden Journal is about a timid widowed woman from an abusive marriage who grows and changes. Jenna Mitchell relocates from Chicago to a small Kentucky community. A designer of greeting cards, logos and advertising copy, she works from home on her computer. Due to the economy, she loses most of her income and is forced to take job in a local antique shop and eventually buys the business. Her life is interrupted when she finds a journal written by a deceased doctor who exposes secrets that devastate the man she plans to marry.
I came from a small town in Ohio and never felt the need to write memoirs or non-fiction about my life. That said, I pull from my experiences growing up in a carefree atmosphere. I remember the politics of a small community and the gossip about almost everything. It gives me more than enough information to write fiction.
Please tell us about your book. What ideas or images inspired this novel?
The Hidden Journal is about a timid widowed woman from an abusive marriage who grows and changes. Jenna Mitchell relocates from Chicago to a small Kentucky community. A designer of greeting cards, logos and advertising copy, she works from home on her computer. Due to the economy, she loses most of her income and is forced to take job in a local antique shop and eventually buys the business. Her life is interrupted when she finds a journal written by a deceased doctor who exposes secrets that devastate the man she plans to marry.
Do you have an ideal reader in mind when you write? If so,
please describe that reader.
I hope to attract readers who have always lived in large communities, readers who have never experienced the closeness of a small town and readers who have lived the experience and can relate to gossip and innuendoes of growing up in a community where everyone knows everyone.
I hope to attract readers who have always lived in large communities, readers who have never experienced the closeness of a small town and readers who have lived the experience and can relate to gossip and innuendoes of growing up in a community where everyone knows everyone.
Please describe your writing routine.
When I’m beginning a novel, I write in the mornings. I strive for 1000 words per day, five days a week. I create a character analysis for my main characters. I write everything. Editing usually take longer than the original writing.
What advice do you give new writers just starting out?
I started out as a pantser, but now I try to have at least an outline. I want to know how the story ends before I start writing. I recommend that you know your characters inside and out. Find out what they want and who or what keeps them from achieving their goals. Give your character the worst possible scenarios and allow them to struggle through the dark times. Make sure your main character has deep conviction, good or bad. Give her/him flaws…we all have them. Sprinkle backstory throughout your manuscript. Don’t hit your reader with character descriptions in the first chapter. Limit your points of view. Most of all, enjoy writing. It will show in your finished novel.
When I’m beginning a novel, I write in the mornings. I strive for 1000 words per day, five days a week. I create a character analysis for my main characters. I write everything. Editing usually take longer than the original writing.
What advice do you give new writers just starting out?
I started out as a pantser, but now I try to have at least an outline. I want to know how the story ends before I start writing. I recommend that you know your characters inside and out. Find out what they want and who or what keeps them from achieving their goals. Give your character the worst possible scenarios and allow them to struggle through the dark times. Make sure your main character has deep conviction, good or bad. Give her/him flaws…we all have them. Sprinkle backstory throughout your manuscript. Don’t hit your reader with character descriptions in the first chapter. Limit your points of view. Most of all, enjoy writing. It will show in your finished novel.
More about The Hidden Journal:
When Chicago
designer, Jenna Mitchell, moves her business to Crestridge, Kentucky, the
market collapses. Left without an income, she takes over a local antique shop.
Angry words are exchanged when she meets handsome Drew Kelsey. A neighbor
becomes matchmaker and brings the couple together.
Despite their rocky start, they fall in love and look to the
future. Marriage plans crumble when Jenna discovers a journal that discredits
the Kelsey name. Stella Ledbetter waits for the opportunity to take Jenna’s
place in Drew’s life.
How to connect with Joyce:
Friday, January 24, 2014
Drama in a Small Town: THE HIDDEN JOURNAL
Drama in a Small Town: THE HIDDEN JOURNAL: The Hidden Journal, is my latest ebook available on Amazon or from the Tirgearr Publishing web site. www.tirgearrpublishing.com I had f...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)