Today we look at how one writer uses his thesaurus and dictionary in a fascinating way.
The following is a five-minute video from Martin Amis, one of Britain’s well-known literary novelists and essayists. I recommend clicking the “cc” close-captioned on the bottom next to the settings button. That way you can read his words while also hearing them. Below the video I have a couple of comments and then, hopefully, will read your responses.
[[If you cannot see the embedded video in your newsletter email, please click the headline and go directly to our site to view it.]]
I prefer to use The Synonym Finder by J.I. Rodale instead of a thesaurus. I think it is easier to use.
In my reading and editing work, I find that overusing the same words in close proximity is jarring and needs to be eliminated most of the time. I suppose Amis’s thinking here is reasonable, but it occurs too often to believe it shows an author at their best.
I like his example showing the misuse of the word “dilapidated.” The origin of a word does have meaning. We see this regularly in Bible study when studying original Hebrew, Greek, or Aramic to figure out the appropriate English parallel.
I also appreciate him teaching that speed is not of the essence. Sometimes you can get lost in the deep weeds with word choice and end up paralyzing yourself in an endless revision loop. However, sloppy writing is everywhere we look. I suspect you’ve read a poorly written or edited book (or blog!) lately and wondered how it ever saw the light of day.
What are your thoughts on this? Please comment below. There are no wrong answers here, merely a friendly discussion of the craft of writing.
»
Of course writing quality makes a difference. But people get far too obsessed with technical grammar rules, etc., and treat people inhumanely as a result. In the end, it doesn’t matter if you used proper grammar. (Change my mind.) What is most central is, “Did what you mean get communicated?” Grammar, word choice, etc., are no more than tools. So you have great words and grammar? Same as having a nice hammer and a skillful way of wielding it. Lesser skills still build houses, and sometimes houses that people love more. Many don’t have any idea of how much energy goes into the sheer weight of imagining events, ideas, people, settings, and rendering them in a way that’s a continuous experience. Too often, many don’t seem to realize that everything made by human hands will be flawed.
Amen and to all.
I find that rapid-pace writing is good. Rewriting is slow. Editing is slower. Also easily seen are the tired words, the repetitive words, and I have developed my list of alternatives.
That seems to work.
Thank you for sharing this video. I liked what he said about what you lose by using a dictionary and thesaurus (a few minutes) and what you gain (the respect of others). I say that a thesaurus is a writer’s best friend:)
I have been taught not to use a fifty cent word when a ten cent word gives the exact meaning that one requires; however, I do not think that I have ever been told to reduce the musicality of prose by avoiding alliteration and rhymes. Is that true for all genres?
Alliteration can be bad if it’s too obvious or tacky. If you are deft with it, and it’s apt (not overused), there’s no reason to avoid it. That’s one of the tools in the toolbox of writers who have a “lyrical voice.” Rhymes generally work better when used subtly.
Good information. I will look at the dictionary more.
I’m guilty of primarily using the thesaurus in my day job — trying to find shorter words for headlines. But I will start using it more in my fiction writing. I also get stuck in the loop of too much self-editing before I even get to the draft stage. I like picking out the perfect word while I write, but maybe some of it can wait until rewrite.
I do strive to avoid repeating a word in a given passage. It bothers me, though, when doing so puts a strain on the paragraph. For example, the MC pours herself a cup of coffee. Then she savors the hot liquid. Then she lifts the cup of steaming beverage to her lips. Makes me want to scream, “It’s coffee! Just say so!” Like the old “he said/she said” discussion, let it be an invisible word in the process of showing the meaning.
I enjoyed the presentation. I agree that too much of the same word often throws me out of the realm of entertainment or learning as a reader, and causes me to become an editor.
I did not know that dilapidated referred to stone work.
Thanks for making this YouTube short video available to wordsmiths.
Intelligent and interesting discussion of word choices. I also use The Synonym Finder as my main source (other than my phone’s Google). Touching me personally is when he says daily use of a dictionary or thesaurus stretches and strengthens our brain cells while we assume they degrade and deteriorate with our age. Thanks for his and your encouragement!