by Naomi L. | October 19, 2015 | Blog, Word of the Week |
Word: cogent
Pronunciation: KOH-jənt
Part of Speech: adjective
Definition: clear, logical, and convincing
Source: Oxford Dictionaries
Today’s Word of the Week is highly applicable to my line of study. After formulating theories or attaining results, scientists have to know how to defend their findings in a manner that’s logical and convincing. The ability to form “cogent” arguments is an important skill for every academic, as it is for any writer hoping to successfully pitch a big story!
A “cogent” argument or case is logical and clear enough to be convincing. The word arose in the mid 17th century and comes from the Latin verb cogere, meaning “to compel”. This verb is composed of the preposition com “together” and the verb agere “to drive”.
Though I haven’t yet read it much in fiction, “cogent” is definitely a word I’d like to work more into my stories. With all the experience I have reading researchers’ discussions in scientific papers, I could have fun writing logical cases and arguments in my fiction. If you write plenty of debates and discussions among your characters, “cogent” may be a good word to describe their best arguments! Good luck!
What are your thoughts on this word? Any suggestions for future “Word of the Week” featured words?
by Naomi L. | October 16, 2015 | J.C. Wolfe's Writing, Poetry |
When the moon appears,
Demons rise to claim the night.
I could not escape.
It took just one bite
To transform me into this
Blood-thirsty creature.
I long for the days
When I used to be human.
Now I’m a monster.
Every night, I drink
The blood of innocent souls.
An eternal curse.
So heed this warning:
Vampires lurk in the shadows.
Beware the blood moon.
by Naomi L. | October 14, 2015 | Blog, Creative Writing, What If? Writing Prompts |
Here’s another set of “What If?” Writing Prompts for you! This week’s post features another batch of prompts in the theme of nature and environmentalism. See what environmental stories you can create around these ideas! Enjoy!
What if… there were only one type of energy source to power everything in the world?
What if… all humans lived in communion with animals?
What if… environmental conservation were always a political priority?
What if… there were no major urban areas in the world?
What if… all manmade modes of transportation suddenly disappeared?
Have fun writing more stories about nature!
If you have any “What If?” writing prompt suggestions (for any theme), please feel free to share them in the comments below. Ideas I like may be featured in future “What If?” posts, with full credit and a link to your blog (if you have one)! Also, if you’ve written a piece based on an idea you’ve found here, be sure to link back to the respective “What If?” post. I would love to see what you’ve done with the prompt! Thank you!
by Naomi L. | October 12, 2015 | Blog, Word of the Week |
Word: harbinger
Pronunciation: HAR-bən-jər
Part of Speech: noun
Definition: a person or thing that announces or signals the approach of another
Source: Oxford Dictionaries
Yet another word pulled from the list of 100 most beautiful words in English, “harbinger” is a word I’ve read quite a few times in various forms of fiction. I tend to see it most commonly in fantasy fiction, where it often refers to a literal messenger warning of the approach of a powerful figure. Whether the arrival of said figure is good or bad news varies depending on the story, but either way, the presence of a harbinger is usually a sign of imminent serious business!
A “harbinger” is someone or something that signals or announces the approach of someone or something else. The word can be traced back through French from the noun herbergere to the verb herbergier, which means “to provide lodging for”. This verb stems from the noun herberge “lodging”, which comes from the Old Saxon noun heriberga, meaning “shelter for an army”.
As you can probably deduce from its etymology, there’s a history behind the word “harbinger”: it used to refer to a person who provided lodging and later to a person who ventured ahead to find lodgings for an approaching army. “Harbinger” is related to the word “harbor” in origin, and a sub-definition of the word is “a forerunner of something”. A “harbinger” doesn’t have to be concrete, but the ominous beings in fiction who seem to foretell the coming of such powerful figures as Death, Justice, and Doom have always been my favorite examples. If you like to warn your characters (and your audience) of major events about to unfold in your stories, you may have room for a “harbinger” or two in your fiction! Good luck!
What are your thoughts on this word? Any suggestions for future “Word of the Week” featured words?
by Naomi L. | October 9, 2015 | Flash Fiction, J.C. Wolfe's Writing |
It was the most delicious thing I had ever eaten.
You never forget your first taste, my father had told me. Oh, how right he was. I had tried to resist my instinct, but I couldn’t any longer.
My mouth watered long after the last bite. The monthly helpings of rabbit and fox I had known until now were nothing compared to this. Such succulent meat; not too bony and just the right amount of blood and fat to make it juicy without being heavy. And the crispy skin? Sublime! What a great idea to roast it first! I was lucky not to overcook it. Fires made with the clumsy paws of a wolf have a way of going awry.
As I sucked the last bits of meat off the bones, I heard rustling from afar. Following the call of the moon, I slunk toward the dim light in the distance, careful to stay hidden as the glowing torches came into view. The next sight to meet my eyes made me grin.
Three more foolish humans wandering through the woods, no doubt searching for the first. How predictable.
I licked my lips as I crouched in the shadows, more than ready for a second taste. Tonight I was going to eat very well.
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