Since I waxed eloquently about weasel words last week, I just really thought I should share this very astonishing post. Truly it is just so important that authors really strive to write tightly so that the reader doesn’t just close the book because the writer uses, like, too many weasel words.
As we survey various techniques to the establishment of accomplished prose, we are obliged to contemplate the aphorism that there is no requirement to employ a ten-dollar phrase when a five-cent expression will suffice. What do you opine? Does broad lexis succor prose? Do you discover your reading gratification to be enhanced by immense libretti, or do you favor unpretentious communication?
“I enjoy the occasional need to employ a thesaurus,” Midori said candidly. She changed the topic. “I’m wondering about descriptor tags,” she mused curiously.
“I don’t know,” Knox responded thoughtfully. “Do you really believe they add to the dialogue?” he asked sardonically.
“Maybe?” she wondered doubtfully.
“I would venture a guess that the dialogue itself would give the reader insight as to the character’s motives for speaking,” he speculated with no small degree of self-satisfaction.
“Our readers display wit and insight,” Midori declared. “I’ll wager that they will share with us some of their writing pet peeves.”
“Indeed,” Knox concurred. “We can depend upon their brilliance.”
“Yes!” Midori nodded. “Let’s see what they say.”
Your Turn:
What are your writing pet peeves? Midori and Knox want to know!
