Words That Will Drag Your Writing Down.
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I’d so wanted to write an original piece for you here at Writer Everlasting, but life, as usual, got in the way. I’m back from my trip to the UK and it was glorious! This is how it started, and I’ve promised to write more about it, but that same life has gotten in the way there, too.
As many of you know, my cancer has returned, and I’ll be starting chemo on October 10. I’ll be on it until well into January. It should take care of that most unwelcome tumor. If it doesn’t, surgery will follow, but unlike the cancer of 2017, it has not spread. That’s the good news. But having to go through chemotherapy again gives me no pleasure. At all. It has put me into a funk, and I don’t want to be in a funk after that glorious trip of a lifetime. Not at all.
Part of the funk can now be explained: my temporal arteritis has also returned. I began having headaches toward the end of our two weeks in the UK, and after our return it went full-blown into muscle and bone aches, sleeplessness, loss of appetite, and blurry vision. I thought at first that some of it must be jet lag, but as it went on, I finally put two and two together—reluctantly—and called for an emergency appointment with the doctor who had treated this disease before. So now I’m back on steroids and having to watch my blood sugar and I don’t want any of this!
I will get back to writing, I hope very soon, but for now, for today, I’m sharing a repeat of a piece I wrote for fun. Seriously.
Thanks for your patience and your kind words. I turned 88 during my trip abroad and I couldn’t have been in a better place. There’s something to be said for old women warriors. We’ve weathered too many battles to give up now. There is too much to life to give up now. And because I’m a writer who writes posts under the banner “Writer Everlasting” and means it, I’m not going anywhere. Come along. Please. There’s more ahead. I promise.
Words That Drag Your Writing Down
First published August 7, 2021
The beauty of writing to be published is that there are a million different websites and publications ready and eager for your words. (Or so I’ve heard.)
If you write well, they’ll want you.
If you have an area of expertise, they’ll want you.
If you write from the heart, they’ll want you.
If you’re funny, they’ll want you.
If you can write all four in the same piece, they’ll really want you.
But the one thing they’ll want most from you is the ability to write without once resorting to the words or phrases I’m about to list here. (Please note this list is not for academics or business writers. I know nothing about you and what’s required. This list is for you writers who want to draw an audience expecting to feel something from your writing. An audience who wants to get cozy in a chair and pretend you’re sitting across from them, ready to make them laugh or cry or at least keep them from grabbing the TV remote halfway through.)
This, of course, is not a complete list. That would be way too long. But it’s a list:
Plethora. It means a large or excessive amount of something. Like “lots of”. There isn’t a sentence in the world that wouldn’t be better without the word “plethora”.
Whom. It means you couldn’t figure out a way to reword that sentence to avoid the word “whom”.
Cognizant. It means having knowledge or being aware of. It means you think you’re a smarty-pants when you use it.
Peruse. It can mean “to read carefully” or it can mean “to skim”. It will drive you crazy if you think about it too long. And if you say it out loud it will really crack you up.
Utilize. It means “put to use” or “employ” but in almost every instance you can use “use” and say the same thing. Try it. You’ll be amazed. I hope to God.
Irregardless, anyways. You know what these two words have in common? They’re not real words. I repeat: They’re. Not. Real. Words.
That being said. It means “I really don’t have the conviction it appears I have. I could be totally wrong about this. Okay. Goodbye.”
Be that as it may. A watered-down version of Number 7. Equally telling.
In other words. It means “I’ve been thinking about you and there’s a real possibility you’re an idiot who has to have things explained to you.”
If I do say so myself. Do you really want to be known as a freaking pompous ass?
I for one. See Number 10.
To make a long story short. This one gets complicated. It could mean, “I can’t make this story short but I’m going to pretend it could be way longer to tantalize you because I’m pretty sure I’ve got you in the palm of my hand.” Or it could mean, “There’s a longer version but I’m already bored with you so this is all you get.”
So that’s my list so far. If you want to add any, or if you want to argue about them, feel free. I’m all ears. (Don’t use that one, either. But you know that.)
I’m here for the long haul, but I’m going to need your help. I need subscribers, both free and paid. If you can afford a monthly subscription, I would be so grateful. This effort takes time and money. If you can’t, or would prefer to remain on the free list, I completely understand. Please share any of my pieces with those who might want to join our community. Writers strong!
{*{*{* hugs *}*}*} dear lady! 💚💚💚💚💚
“That which does not kill us gives us something to write about!”
It all depends on who "they" are because everyone has different tastes.....