Fountain Pens and Crutch Words: Is Your Writing Lame and Riddled With Misspellings? By Bradlley Mckoy At Isnare.com Ezine Articles

What's Your Crutch?

Writing gurus always emphasize the use of action words. They are right because the tool you use to convey a thought or idea is words. Your words should be able to create a picture in the mind's eye or evoke or stir up feelings without those nasty lame words.

A struggling writer, aiming to get on the scene should be more conscious of using action words and avoid crutch words. Before the ink of your fountain pens dry up on your manuscripts, re-read your article and catch the number of times you use these crutch words - am, is, was, were, be, been, have, had, and if you are fond of will then expect the worst. Count how often these words appear, beyond twenty, you are guilty as hell.

Well, as a "hungry" writer you have to learn the tricks of the trade and find your niche and avoid those crutch words. Steer clear of tedious verbs. Go for the jugular with action words. In time, you'll improve and those fountain pens will be doing more work.

Keep on reading and don't get discouraged by the output of better writers or you'll lose steam positioning yourself as better-fed writer. In time, those fountain pens get their share of the limelight when your manuscripts signed, sealed, and delivered to demanding publishers are approved.

Other Writing Must Dos

Admit it. There are writers who have the right sauce for their gander. They have lots of words in the bag and they have easy recall. Of course, you know those words but while you're writing, you cannot get these out of your frozen brain. That thesaurus can't be a help if you don't know which word to choose to go well with your idea! It's easier with fountain pens. You know which one has no scratch and which one improves your long hand.

Proofreading is another chore. After finishing an article review the whole thing from beginning to end; your mind sees what it likes to see so you miss those typos and misspelled words. Your computer's Spellchecker is not reliable so don't bank on it. Read the whole article the way you hunt for bedbugs in a dubious hotel room. Read slowly and be alert to typos and misspelled words.

Don't rush it. Take a break when done with an article. Doodle with your fountain pens or take a walk. When your mind has cleared up, go back to your computer screen and catch the small bad words. Oh, reading the article the next day can help too if you're not meeting a deadline. You'll be amazed at the inanity of your article and rewriting the lot improves the reading side of it.

Just to be sure, give it the once over before you email your obra maestro to a frustrated editor who goes batty with your articles. Poor editor. Maybe you should send her or him one of your fountain pens for all the troubles you heap on her/him. The poor editor will be mollified or appeased with your sacrifice offering, er guilt offering.

Published At: Isnare Free Articles Directory http://www.isnare.com
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=349466&ca=Writing

Important Notice DISCLAIMER: All information, content, and data in this article are sole opinions and/or findings of the individual user or organization that registered and submitted this article at Isnare.com without any fee. The article is strictly for educational or entertainment purposes only and should not be used in any way, implemented or applied without consultation from a professional. We at Isnare.com do not, in anyway, contribute or include our own findings, facts and opinions in any articles presented in this site. Publishing this article does not constitute Isnare.com's support or sponsorship for this article. Isnare.com is an article publishing service. Please read our Terms of Service for more information.