long time no blog
I've been endlessly scratching my head and wringing my hands over this every time I try to write something -- a letter, a blog post, a position paper, or whatever:
Is it a mortal sin to consult my thesaurus when I write? Will a continual use of that massive word-filled tome gradually transform me into a weak-kneed synonym junkie? Or is it a perfectly acceptable tool [=crutch] for struggling amateurs like me that will, in the end, improve my writing?
To fellow writers and bloggers out there -- board-certified or not -- please, I need your two cents. Thanks.
7 comments:
Your writing is good as it is!
Just be yourself.
Miss you so much Jef!
Kamusta ka na diyan?
~poy
Some words just convey meanings that's uniquely theirs, and they're more appropriate to a sentence--the thesaurus is an invaluable tool to finding them.
But you should use this tool sparingly, too, because the first word that comes out of your mind is usually the best one fitted for the statement.
I hope I'm driving my point somewhere.
darling jef,
dont struggle so much with writing something nice or "fantabulous" (in quotations this being one of my personal expressions hahaha)... or something you think would be worth reading and so on.. you know what I mean.
Your thoughts are precious. A gift can be wrapped in gold paper but it is ultimately the though that counts...
write me soon.
nagtatampo nako sayo talaga.as in.
yes and no.
it can be invaluable to a writer or editor looking for a word more appropriate for a certain phrase. wrong word choice can be a "mortal sin." =) i've sometimes consulted our big Roget's Thesaurus here in the office because the word i first thought of or the word the writer wrote (in the manuscript i'm editing) just isn't the right word. yes, a thesaurus can help.
BUT, not all thesauri are helpful. some are just plain dumb. you see, although thesauri will tell you the synonym and antonym of a word, most won't tell you HOW and WHEN to use a word.
i agree with lance, limit your use of a thesaurus--because it is NOT the best way to improve one's vocabulary. the best way to learn a word is to READ, READ, and READ. because good books use the right words well. not only will you learn WHAT the word means through sentence context and dictionary consultation, you will also know HOW and WHEN to use it properly.
and then the next step is to USE the word in writing, in speech. that is, WRITE, WRITE, WRITE. that way, the word will eventually get stuck in your brain.
now how will this all benefit you? if you read a lot--and of course, i would assume that you'll read only those that are really worth reading--your vocabulary will improve. thus, as you write, you won't need to look in a thesaurus for a better word because you'll already know what the right word will be.
hope this helps. =)
ano pa nga ba'ng masasabi ko? mukhang natanggap mo na bagay na kakalanganin mo para makapagsulat. =) i guess you have my sympathies, since i too look for right words when i write. just continue writing jef, even though in the future you might say to yourself, 'hah? bakit ako ganito magsulat?!' you won't learn until you try.
jac
Hay naku, jef. You're a good writer, and I admire your God-given talent. Do write more
Paul: I miss you so much too. Hope you enjoy the books. >:D<
Lance: Yes, I agree. But what would I do if NO word comes to my mind? Sink in despair? Hehe. Joke.
Glenda: Wala ako sa bakasyon ngayon. I'll explain. Sorry, sorry talaga di ako nakakareply.
Kuya Butch: Thank you so much. I was honestly hoping for a shortcut, but it seems that the only way to be a good writer is the torturous and uphill road of PRACTICE. Urgh. Hehe.
Jac: I like that. "You won't learn until you try." Thanks.
Anonymous: Please explain. By saying, "Hay naku," are you throwing up your hands in surrender over my frequent bouts of insecurity (and unbelief?) Or is it a quick but endearing way of telling me to stop worrying?
Anyway. Thank you. What you said reminded me that even though "He is exceedingly able and abundant" to relieve my writer's block, He is still far more precious than all the gifts He gives.
God bless, everyone!
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