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This week: 4 Underused Writing Tools Edited by: KimChi  
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| Hello, I'm Kimchi. Here I hope to share tips on the art and craft of writing, from idea to implementation, from editing to submission. Have an idea for a topic, tricks for phrasing? All suggestions are welcome. |
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Four Underused Writing Tools
I love to scribble notes on a pad. I feel a childish pleasure at arranging words, stacking them up for emphasis, scattering them across the page like seeds to bloom at a later date. I'm also a busy mom sucked into the love of writing so I've grudgingly learned the basics of computers. You might consider this kids' stuff but bear with me as I get giggly and share my favorite toys to organize my writing life.
Thesaurus.
"Any word you have to hunt for in a thesaurus is the wrong word. There are no exceptions to this rule."
- Stephen King
With the greatest respect I must disagree. Forcefully. Vigorously. Vehemently, even. I realize he's talking about the writing process and he's absolutely correct. But during the editing process it's Tool Number 1, merely because writers are individuals with unique gifts and deficits. We are not all synonym machines, spelling wizards or editing robots.
Sometimes I've typed a perfectly serviceable word but prefer a slightly different connotation. E.g.: My MC jumps over his desk to confront a colleague but he's not the jump-y type. Vault? He's wearing khakis, not gym shorts. Hmmm...hurtle? Almost. It means "rush" but it sounds like "hurdle" meaning jump (and more gym shorts.) Leap? Now I see tutus.
To conserve precious brain power I rely on a thesaurus where I may spring gracefully from "bound" to "bounce" to "crash". Eureka! Powerful yet clumsy. A natural force suggesting instinct and reaction, insinuating a wake of destruction. It's not a fancy word I've picked to sound educated, it's the right word. The "right word" floats further from my grasp on the smoke of each additional birthday candle.
Word Processor
Yes, everyone uses a word processor these days but are you using it? In addition to alerting you to a misspelling, this handy tool can prove that "that" is a word you use too much or the language of your Shakespearean sonnet is actually geared toward third graders. Or ending with sentence fragments.
Add notes, references, pictures, captions, footnotes, and tables. Track your changes. Switch out the Dr. Fulton character for Dr. Wisman in a clean millisecond. Type internal notes in red or highlight passages needing work.
In my own work, I've assigned a color to each symbol--which correspond to a slew of inner and outer conflicts, metaphysical themes, and historical myth. Highlighting key words in the text gives me a visual painting where a lack of green must have more deception, or an uninterrupted expanse of purple dreams proves inner knowledge but also puts the reader to sleep.
Spreadsheet
Not just for numbers anymore. I use spreadsheets to keep my entire life organized. At one point I knew how many stories were finished/in progress; their genres, themes, and word count, where my mother-in-law's silver bowl resides, and the last time the chimney was cleaned (2009).
As a list-lover I'm enthralled with the "sort" command; the possibilities are tailored to my degree of compulsion and willingness to compartmentalize. Find all the blondes, Plot my story arc. Color-code my symbolism. Cross-reference my original mythos with historical sources, chapters, notes, and external links. Everything is in one spot and no sticky notes get sucked up in the vacuum.
If none of these are your cup of creativity, may I suggest option four?
Back-up Plan
There would be no number four except I recently lost my hard drive without warning. I stomped and whined until hubby upgraded my computer and installed it in the new office downstairs. Of course the old hard drive failed. Luckily we had an auto-backup; unfortunately we disconnected it during the basement remodel. I would love to have my latest story but I feel grateful to have everything written before 2011.
In hindsight I can think of several no-brainer, low budget saves. I could have emailed the stories to myself or even better, submitted each one. I might have posted them on WDC privately. I could have saved marked-up chapters instead of recycling them.
Instead I'm re-creating my life--chore lists, volunteer spreadsheets, and stories. I prefer to see my mistake as an opportunity to kick myself into high gear for more adventures and better writing. (After the crying jags cease.)
But you are a smart, creative author so buy a spreadsheet or don't buy one. Hollow out your thesaurus and stash your jewelry in it. But I plead with you dear friend, beg you, beseech you even: back up your hard drive. There are no exceptions to this rule!
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Editor's Picks
Found these recently-posted stories with WDC's internal sort feature. The authors would love a note on their work.
| |  | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#1711755 by Not Available. |
I play by the rules, even when I don't like them. A woman, even a princess--no, especially a princess--has no choice but to accept her fate. Though in my case, fate had a little help.
Miche, the bartender, looked up from polishing his glass as the bell above the door jingled, and then nodded to the newcomer. It was no surprise to him, as it might have been to others, to see one of the 'wee folk' slip onto his barstool.
I looked out of the window. The streets were full of people carrying their possessions with them. Some people had carts to pull furniture with, some were carrying chairs on their heads, it looked quite funny.
There it was. Just lying there. Mocking me.
This seemingly innocent piece of trash represented so much that was wrong with my life these last few years: just lying there waiting for me to clean it up.
I was watching The Price Is Right this morning when he finally decided to come home. I heard the back door open and close, and when he walked in the living room I noticed he didn't look much different from the last time I saw him: green skin, ears way too big for his misshapen head, and eyes that were that deep cerulean blue that most women swoon over.
| |  | Numbers (18+)
The sudden appearance of ghostly numbers above his head causes Frank some concern
#1836496 by SmokeyM |
After waking up Monday morning on a day that seemed like any other, he looked at himself in the mirror and saw that six digits appeared to be floating above his head in ghostly green, in a digital format reminiscent of the numbers on a clock radio. |
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 Question
How do you use technology in your writing life?
Comments
dejavu_BIG computerprobs
Well said, Kimchi, I too, could use a fire under my buttocks lately. Hmmm, perhaps we could talk to my Hydro sub-station friends? They seem to be great with fires.Thanks for including my story in your picks as well as my question. Reading fees just irk me, if we pay for backcopies, subscriptions, and do the writing, it just seems a reading fee is a slap in the face to writers.
mystic_dreams
Magazines that charge reading fees: I still ascribe to the theory that the money should flow to the writer. The person providing the service should be paid. That being said, it is difficult for small magazines to stay afloat. Then, I believe, it is alright to publish without pay, in order to achieve the literary credits. I do not believe you should pay a reading fee. This, however, does not extend to respected writing contests. Finally, if the reading fee is giving you editorial feedback, make sure you see an example of the feedback first. Otherwise, you are better off hiring an actual editor.D.L. Fields The best way to be a writer is BIS (Butt In Seat). I've resolved to keep a schedule this year (two days Avon, three days writing/reading). I've been on it for three weeks and so far, so good.
I'm with you guys on this.  I do understand that reading submissions takes time and resources, but authors are paid so little as it is!
LJPC - the tortoise Kimchi - I'm so with you on the 'laziness' aspect of writing. Although writing's an art, it's a very difficult one. Each of the words you need to write a 100k-word novel costs time and energy. The worst part is, the more you know, the better you get, but the more you nit-pick every word and phrase you write. Self-editing gives you a polished product, but it takes so many more hours than when you were blissfully unaware of literary rules and concepts. It helps me to read the works of a great writer; that's where I find inspiration--not in their exact ideas, but in the way the ideas are expressed. But rest assured, that great writer spent a lot of time struggling to get there and probably had many 'lazy' moments.
~ Laura
Thanks for reminding us to chill out and read. Best tip I still haven't mastered: write until empty; edit days or weeks later. I get stuck in compulsive editing and that's counterproductive to creative writing.
tj-Merry Mischief Maker  This was a wonderful article, and so very true. Organization and prioritization are the two muses most needed. We have so much, but it seems the more we have, the more difficult it becomes. They are wonderful tools and great distractions at the same time.
In times past, when I just couldn't get anything going, what worked best for me was a dime notebook, a nickle pencil (I like real cedar) and a quiet spot, preferably outdoors. I had forgotten how enjoyable and how well this worked. Thanks for the reminder.
Thanks for the reminder about those quaint tools called "pencils"!
drifter46
Hi, I liked the topic of this newsletter. As a writer I am someone who knows all too well that little rascal called....ughh...Procrastination.
In response to this elusive creature's embrace I have had to devise a plan for my writing and make the commitment to myself to follow through. I have written a piece outlining how I gain a foothold against procrastination. It will be in my portfolio within a day or two for anyone interested in taking a peek...perhaps it will help someone else combat this thief of time.
Thank you again for your wonderful newsletter. I enjoyed it thoroughly.
Kittygirl
You are welcome. Please send us a link to your plan. 
swanlakegrrl
Beautifully said er written :D Since I'm feeling very inspired, I hope you inspired yourself too. Too bad that one of my goals is to write an Everlasting Story. I have no idea how that can be fulfilled, but I cling to the idea.
Thanks! And looking forward to your next newsletter. I love them all.
Thanks!
BIG BAD WOLF is Merry 
It all depends on what you're looking for.
Kal S. Davian
I know the feeling! I quite often severely lack the fire needed to get writing. Though I blame it on household distractions, Facebook, and the like, I know that the only one to blame is me. How do i know this? Because when I sit down and force myself to put a few words on paper (or screen), even if I dont like how they turned out, I am able to writer more. Sometimes we have to force ourselves to stay seated and keep typing. The more you stick to it, the easier it becomes.
So true. Writing must become a habit, like brushing your teeth.
Tadpole1 
Hi Kimchi,
Here's a suggestion. Read something that you wrote right before going to sleep. Keep a pen and paper next to the bed, and jot down the ideas that come to you in your sleep. That's how I wrote my trilogy.
Tadpole1
Excellent idea! Never thought of reading my work before dreaming the continuation.
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For Authors: March 07, 2012 Issue [#4922]
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