If you’ve been writing (or hanging around with writers) for a while, you’ve probably seen or heard the abbreviation POV. It’s short for “point of view.” And WIP (“work in progress”), MC (“main character”), and perhaps even NaNoWriMo (“National Novel Writing Month,” which rolls around every November).
But those, like many terms we writers use and abuse, have been around for a while. They’re kinda old. Hackneyed, even (like the word hackneyed). Wouldn’t it be good to have some new phrases or acronyms that make us feel like the cool kids for once? (I can dream, can’t I?)
So, in the interest of literary advancement, I asked some of my writer friends (yes, I have friends) for some suggestions. And they obliged, drawing from their notations in reviewing their own writing and critiquing or editing the writing of others. Feel free to adopt any you like and send all royalties to me. (Note: Acronyms that don’t mention a contributor are from me.)
ATNW (“All Talk, No Writing”) (Lori Stanley Roeleveld)
BIS (“Booty in Seat”) (Rebekah Millet)
CTF (“Cut the Fluff”) (Lori Stanley Roeleveld)
CTTC (“Cut to the Chase”)
DRT (“Doesn’t Ring True”)
GWS (“Goes Without Saying”—i.e., the author is telling the reader something painfully obvious) (Cindy Sproles)
MM (“Mirror Moment,” the midpoint scene of a novel when a character must look within and confront the need for change) (Texie Susan Gregory)
MOO (“My Own Opinion”) (Cindy Sproles)
No BH (“No Bouncing Heads,” referring to head-hopping in POV) (Jessica Brodie)
NBI (“Not Buying It,” i.e., you ruined my WSoD; see below)
PP (“Plot Point,” as in PP1, PP2, etc.) (Texie Susan Gregory)
PTA (“Passive to Active”) (Lori Hatcher)
RUE (“Resist the Urge to Explain”) (Cindy Sproles)
SDT (“Show, Don’t Tell”)
SSOTHO (“Self-sabotage of the Highest Order”) (Lori Stanley Roeleveld)
TIGCYE (“This is Gonna Cost You Extra”) (Lori Hatcher)
TMITLE (“Too Many Ideas, Too Little Execution”) (Lori Stanley Roeleveld)
TYGA (“There You Go Again,” a polite but passive/aggressive way to note an error the writer continues to make despite you having noted it a thousand times) (Lori Hatcher)
VOMIT DRAFT. It’s best if you don’t abbreviate this one. (Rebekah Millet)
WFOW (“Writing from Open Wounds”) (Lori Stanley Roeleveld)
WFSBOP (“Words from the Soul, Blood on the Page”) (Lori Stanley Roeleveld)
WSoD (“Willing Suspension of Disbelief”) (Tom Williams)
ZZZ (“This is boring!”)
What about you? What are some terms or abbreviations you’ve found helpful in your writing (or critiquing and editing) life? Do tell.
The Perils of Responding to Criticism
I do not use acronyms,
for sometimes they make me scream.
Besides being lit’rary sins,
I can’t remember what they mean,
and I thereby feel a fool
among the young and hip;
without knowing their verbal tool
I am prone to make a slip,
like when they say ROFL,
I ask where I can get one too
(if rolfing doesn’t ring a bell,
let it be ‘deep massage’ to you),
and BOGO really gets me down;
I never get to see the clown.
Dear Andrew, You can say so much in so little words … thanks.
We have an answer to prayer in our community. A pastor went to Florida to have intravenous vitamin C for 6 weeks til healing from cancer. It was necessary for him to find a place to stay and to get to the clinic. It was cheaper than the proposed treatments of the hospital therapies and his insurance paid for it considering the alternative cost.
I don’t know if the Tampa facility treats other issues, and I have picked up but not real clear on your condition from your writing and writers’ good wishes for you. Here is the contact info in case it may help you or someone else you know. info@utopiawellness.com in Tampa.
You may also check out orthomolecular news for more information. God bless you.
WITTY- What is this to you? -Jesus to disciples
Oh, I love ‘TYGA!’ Might have to steal that one.
I love acronyms. How about “KYD.” Kill Your Darlins’.
Rebekah Millet’s “Vomit Draft” reminds me of the first time I thought my novel was finished. 🙁
TMI/NBC — too much info/nobody cares
AI — author intrusion
DYRT? — did you research this?
AYS? — are you sure?
RIP — repeated info, kill it
One of my favorites is BICHOK – Bottom in Chair, Hands on Keyboard.
Thanks for taking note that Vomit Draft probably shouldn’t be abreviated, especially since my real initials are VD. Had a good laugh. Thanks! Though I must admit I never use those initials as they could also mean venereal disease. Arg!
I LOVE an awesome acronym!
Best advice I’ve gotten while pursuing my writing and public speaking lifestyle:
BIC~ Butt in Chair
My own personally adopted acronyms:
TT~ Truth Teller
TILII: Tell it like it is
AGTG: All Glory to God
Hope you’re doing amazing Steve!!
NGEFY–Not good enough for you, which is to say lesser writers could get away with this, but you are a better writer.
I LOVE this! The MOO had me cracking up! Thanks, Bob, for a great post!
My brain can’t handle these. TMI and possibly TCTH (Too Close to Home)!!
Great post! I especially loved MOO. Thanks for the entertaining lesson, Bob. I can always count on you for a good laugh. 🙂
Similar to Jan Drexler – my Kindred Heart Writers group had the motto BIC-HIP: bottom in chair, heart in prayer. 💖
It’s a whole new language! The best I can do is NTNT, no time, no talent.