by Julianne Q. Johnson
I was taking part in a conversation between various writers today about word choice. Some participants were arguing the point that using fancier word choices was the way to go. They were quite fierce about it and mentioned how it was nice to build their readers’ vocabulary, and besides, Kindle and the like make it so easy to look up a new word. That’s fine. That’s their writing style.
It’s not mine.
I believe in mixing up one’s word usage to keep things interesting, but you aren’t going to catch me using a word like ‘verecund’ when ‘bashful’ is a perfectly useful word that means the exact same thing. To me, if that fancier word isn’t conveying more meaning, then it isn’t useful. ‘Parched’ conveys more meaning than ‘dry.’ Parched is a word I would use. It’s more interesting, conveys more meaning, and encourages vivid imagery. ‘Anhydrous,’ on the other hand, accomplishes nothing more than ‘parched’ except it might send some of your readers to the dictionary. It also runs the risk of that reader not running to the dictionary and missing your meaning.
As a reader, I enjoy learning new words when the meaning is clear in the context of the writing. While some readers certainly enjoy forays into the dictionary, all it does is throw me right out of the story.
If, as a writer, you choose to use more two-dollar words, that’s your decision and your choice. Make certain there is a real reason for your word choices other than wanting to show off your vocabulary or make your story sound fancy. If you are writing Literary Fiction, for example, then your readers will expect a more varied and fancy vocabulary.
If one of your characters is a Literature professor who likes to put on airs a bit, he’s going to use some fancy words. Your character who is a car mechanic might as well, but unless his backstory justifies it in some way, it’s going to seem out of place.
Me, I admire writers like Hemingway and Twain, not for simplicity of plot but for simplicity of word choice. Anyone can read one of Twain’s stories and come away with a good experience. I don’t write Literary. I write Genre fiction. My goal is to entertain my readers and let them take a break from their life for a bit. I don’t give a damn about being fancy, nor would that writing style do my stories any favors. It’s not my style. There is a hybrid Literary/ Genre style of writing that some folks enjoy, but it’s not for me.
While you are deciding what writing style your work will take, think carefully about what your goal is for your writing. Only you can decide what style of word choice works best for your work and why. Examine the books you most enjoy reading for style and word choice. Check out some of the top sellers in your genre and see what style they are written in. Once you decide on a style, be gracious to those who decided differently. It’s not a matter of who’s right and who’s wrong. It’s a matter of style.
Alternately titled Word Choice and Writing Style.
Guest post contributed by Julianne Johnson. Julianne has 3 cats, 4 ferrets, 1 goldfish, and one fiancé. She has been writing all her life and has written several books. Her blog is a place for her to share her writing and her love of taking pictures.
A Writer's Path 
I write so much from intuition. I use the word that feels right. Not necessarily the fancier word. That’s just me, tough.
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Also, tone of voice comes into play. If you’re telling the story from a very educated, snooty lol, haughty professor, you may use a word like haughty (just an example) instead of proud or conceited.
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Thank you, Julianne. In my novels, I use ordinary words that are common to the characters in the story. However, I’m trying to break into travel writing as well, and am finding that I need to get much better at description that evokes emotion.
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I don’t mind a fancy word every now and then when I’m reading, but if it’s a constant smattering of it, it’s a real turn-off. Better to communicate easily and efficiently than use words people need to look up.
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Reblogged this on Cynthia Hilston – Author & Blogger.
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Reblogged this on Kim's Author Support Blog.
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Reblogged this on Where Genres Collide.
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As much as I like unusual words, I agree that if a common word works then use it. I am not well educated on the names of particular types of things like for instance names of flowers or guns. I do appreciate it though when a writer can seamlessly mention in a passage a flower by name. I can’t ever write about gunslingers as the writing would come across as ill informed or nonsense!
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This is a very important thing to consider. I often find writers using a really sophisticated word in the speech of a street gangster just because it sounds good to them. Finding the right words for the right character and moment is essential!
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Reblogged this on WILDsound Festival.
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It’s all about the character I’m writing. If that character should speak with high falutin’ words, than that’s what will spew from their mouths. My intention is to make characters sound as natural as possible.
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