I know that I turn to the thesaurus a lot more when I’m just getting back into writing. If I’ve been writing regularly for a time, my vocabulary seems much more accessible. But if I’ve been on hiatus (again), then it’s buried in mothballs back there somewhere, and it’s easier to visit thesaurus.com than to dig it out of the mess.

“Too Mad”, says B. You know how anti-emoticon I am, but she insists I place this one, so there you are.

Back to the subject– you know that I think one can EASILY go overboard with language and description. A middle road, possibly one that meanders closer to Simple Town, is often what I prefer. I think it’s partly reactionary on my part, the result of too much of flowery language in the 80′s combined with my dislike of academic writing. I’m not impressed by the use of 50cent vocabulary, especially where it sticks out, and I LOATHE hyperbole. I don’t like it when characters who don’t really matter to the story come overdressed (in language).

I guess I appreciate plain-speaking in my reading like I do in my dealings with people. Rich and vivid description is good, but don’t forget that you’re telling me a story.