I had cut out most of the filler words I could find, some of
the repetition I could find, and cleaned up a few paragraphs. All in all I
eliminated almost 2500 words and didn't change a darn thing to the story. This
little process really opened my eyes. Let's hope it did some good (for future
stories, that is).
So now I have two to three weeks free before I get hit with
the next round. What to do? What to do??
My short story isn't due until 3/15 (deadline moved), so I
sent it to some readers. That left Book 5, so I started on that yesterday. Then
I realized maybe I better not.
Why is that? Because once I get neck deep into my stories, I
don't usually WANT to do anything else, and right now I HAVE to do something
else. Something IMPORTANT.
Granted, it's also something I don't want to do, but hey, Uncle
Sam waits for no one, right? So I'm off to do my taxes. So if you don't hear
back from me today, don't worry. Besides, you might not WANT to hear from me.
Taxes make me grumpy. Heck, they make me more than grumpy. I just hate doing
them.
Of course, I hate paying someone to do them MORE!
* * * * *
Do you get the word of the day from dictionary.com? Most of
the time the words that come through there I'd never EVER use in regular
speech, no less a book. But I keep the subscription, because you just never
know.
Well, on Wednesday, the word of the day was zakuska. It's
Russian (yeah – I thought that was strange, too) for snack. I almost
disregarded it then remembered, hey, I have this idea for a Russian vampire and I had been looking for some terms of endearment he could use for his future mate.
Well, he's a vampire, she's human, so she'd be like a snack to him.
Aaaannndd….My Little Zakuska* was created.
I almost can't wait to write the book, now!
Have words given you any ideas lately?
Hope your Friday is great! I'm sure mine won't be. Not until
I finish those blasted taxes. Argh!!
*I thought about using the
whole phrase in Russian, but it's just too much of a mouthful!
12 comments:
We're putting taxes off until the end of March. Living 300 miles away from hubby, we have to plan ahead for when he'll be back in town.
It feels like a lead weight though. I'm never happy until it's mailed off.
People are giving me weird looks becase I'm LOL at your new title (love it!) and I'm at work! My taxes are done but I paid to have them done. Good luck with yours!
Congrats on the editing process. It is eye opening to see the story through someone else's perspective.
Love how zukasa gave you inspiration. I'm reading Eat, Pray, Love right now and the book talks about how cities have words that they embody (Example, Rome=Sex, New York=Power) and she was trying to find her word. It did inspire thoughtfulness, but no actual word. :)
Zakuska...hmmm...dang it, now I want a snack.
Good luck with those dreaded taxes.
I'm excited for you and love reading about your processes and achievements. You are one good cookie. Keep up the great work.
Much congrats.
Maria - Yep, lead weight. And now it's LIFTED! So glad to get those pesky taxes over with!
Jennette - You're laughing at my Ahhh? Or some other title I'm unaware of? Oh well, as long as I can make you laugh. That's the important thing.
Erin - I haven't even gotten to the editor's perspective yet. I just went over their pre-edit checklist. You think the hard part is over once you reach the end. Boy, not even close!
Linda - Thanks. Glad I got them finished today. Took all day, too. They really are a pain.
Ivy - Thanks! I love your words of encouragement. They make me smile!
I get a word of the day from Merriam Webster, and try to incorporate it in whatever I'm writing that day.
And one technique I've used for cutting words... I like the (I'm sure there's a name for it) "that" as in, "I felt that he would do it." Clearly, though, you can remove it. So I do a search and replace -- "that" for (nothing) -- read the sentence without it, and see if anything suffers, should I remove it.
Michael - I'm pretty good with "that." "Was" and "had" are my worst problems, not to mention beginning a sentence with "but," "and," and "or."
Wow - congratulations on getting edits back so quick! Way to go. I'm totally jealous. My WIP has been kicking my but for a few weeks.
Hi Steven. Thank you for following!!!
I've found the WIPs that really kick your butt are the ones that end up being your best work. Good luck!
not to mention beginning a sentence with "but," "and," and "or."
Guilty as well. And "nonetheless."
You are welcome. I'm so happy for you.
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