by Naomi L. | May 7, 2014 | Blog, Creative Writing, Writer's Toolkit |
So I figured it was time for another Writer’s Toolkit post, as it’s been a while since I’ve shared one. While trying to decide which tool to write about next, I realized I haven’t yet mentioned an essential one that’s been especially useful in my experience as a writer. So to name another indispensable item for the serious artist, here’s a brief review of one of my personal favorites: the pocket notebook.
Moleskine Classic Pocket Notebook
The pocket notebook I use was a Christmas present from my cousin, one of several people in my family who know of my passion for creative writing. She told me it was for carrying around in my pocket or backpack so I could jot down ideas as they came to me. So that’s what I did, and ever since, it’s been a handy tool for taking notes while on the go. I use it to keep track of random thoughts, lists of blog post ideas, possible story titles, etc. It’s always great to have with me whenever I go out!
One of my favorite places to take my notebook is the airport. While sitting in the café waiting for arrivals, I like to observe people around me and try to imagine what their stories might be, and these thoughts sometimes become notes that I could use later on. Another fun use for my notebook is keeping track of the observations I make about nature when I sit outside, as these often become inspiration for poetry. Being naturally forgetful, keeping a written record of my observations has been immensely helpful for my fictional works.
Much like the journal I’ve written about before, my notebook serves a useful purpose as a collection of the scraps of ideas that come out of my head. This gives me a clear vision of my thought processes, especially the more random and incomplete ones that don’t appear in my journal. This also makes my notebook a great source of inspiration whenever I hit a creative block. Sometimes notes that seemed like simple observations at the time of writing turn out to be good ideas for fiction. So don’t neglect to record your thoughts while you’re out and about. You may discover something in your notes later on that you never even realized was there!
Summary
Advantages of Carrying a Pocket Notebook
- Always be prepared when new ideas strike
- Write down observations as they happen
- Keep scraps in one collection
- Maintain source of possible inspiration for future writing
A pocket notebook is a great tool for any writer, especially fiction writers who are constantly seeking new ideas for stories. If you find that inspiration often strikes at unpredictable and even inconvenient moments, you should definitely consider keeping a small notebook with you at all times. The writer in your mind will thank you!
by Naomi L. | May 5, 2014 | Blog, Word of the Week |
Word: acrimonious
Pronunciation: a-krə-MOH-nee-əs
Part of Speech: adjective
Definition: angry and bitter
Source: Oxford Dictionaries
Chandler: So, a professor, huh?
Joey: Yeah, she is cool, and she’s so smart! Her mind is totally acrimonious. (pause as his friends look confused) Guess that’s not how she used it.
– Friends (Season 9, Episode 21 – The One With The Fertility Test)
The first time I ever heard the word “acrimonious” was in an episode of Friends over ten years ago. Shortly after he starts dating a college professor, Joey repeats a word he heard her say in an attempt to sound smarter. Unfortunately, his lack of experience with it leads him to use it incorrectly in conversation, as nothing to which he refers is related to speech, nor is it spiteful in any way.
Speech or discussion that’s “acrimonious” has a bitter or angry tone to it. The word is derived from the noun “acrimony”, which means “bitterness or ill feeling”. This word arose in the mid 16th century, in the sense of “bitter taste or smell”, and can be traced back to the French noun acrimonie and the Latin noun acrimonia “sharpness”. The latter stems from the adjective acer/acris, meaning “sharp” or “pungent”.
To tell the truth, I’ve never actually used the word “acrimonious” in my writing. That may be because it reminds me too much of the aforementioned episode of Friends, or maybe it’s just because I face the same problem Joey does: an uncertainty of how to use it. How can I be sure that “acrimonious” is exactly the right word to describe a discussion in my story or if it would just seem like an attempt to sound sophisticated? I prefer not to risk it. If you’re confident that you understand this word and that it’s the best adjective for some of your descriptions, then use it at will, and best of luck to you for it. Just be careful not to make the same mistake as Joey!
Joey: Hey, if we want to grab a bite before work, we better get acrimonious. (Charlie shakes her head) No? Am I gettin’ close?
What are your thoughts on this word? Any suggestions for future “Word of the Week” featured words?
by Naomi L. | May 2, 2014 | Flash Fiction, J.C. Wolfe's Writing |
Its skin was pale green, it had a dozen eyes, and it crawled on eight long spindly legs.
Evolution had made its teeth sharp to tear through the tough tissue of the vegetation on its native planet.
It had come to Earth to taste some exotic salads. Sadly, the local wildlife thought it had come to taste them.
The translators were all aboard the ship. It never had a chance to explain.
Based on a writing prompt from Writer’s Carnival: Alien Madness!
Create an alien life form. Describe what it looks like and what its habits are using no more than 100 words.
I hope you enjoy what I’ve written. Thanks for reading!
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