by Naomi L. | July 14, 2014 | Blog, Word of the Week |
Word: extrapolate
Pronunciation: ik-STRA-pə-layt
Part of Speech: verb
Definition: extend the application of (a method or conclusion) to an unknown situation by assuming that existing trends will continue or similar methods will be applicable
Source: Oxford Dictionaries
I’m going with a more scientific word this week. Though I rarely see it in fiction, the word “extrapolate” does come up in a lot of the academic papers I read. It’s a verb that defines a practice many scientists adopt: to draw conclusions about unknown situations based on data previously collected from similar scenarios. Think of it as a fancy word for “guesstimate”. It may not sound very scientific when you put it like that, but it’s immensely helpful when constructing theories, and you’d be surprised how often we rely on this method to make sense of the world around us.
To “extrapolate” information is to extend it to theoretical scenarios in order to estimate potential results, based on the assumption that the same methods will continue to be applicable in similar situations. The word is a combination of the Latin preposition extra “outside” and a shortened form of the verb “interpolate” (“insert between fixed points”). The latter word contains the root verb polire, which means “to polish”.
You’d probably get the most use out of “extrapolate” if you write a lot of scientific language; in mathematics, for instance, it indicates the extension of data by inferring unknown values from existing trends. In fiction, it may work as a partial synonym for “estimate”, though this would likely still depend heavily on context. I don’t recall reading the latter use very often, but it’s your call whether “extrapolate” can work as a suitable verb in your stories. You may never use it for your own writing, but at least now you’ll know what it means if you ever happen to read a scientific article!
What are your thoughts on this word? Any suggestions for future “Word of the Week” featured words?
by Naomi L. | July 9, 2014 | Blog, Creative Writing |
So recently, I was tagged in a Why I Write chain by Emily Hawker, one of the bloggers in our Writers Reveal circle. Now I have to answer a handful of questions on – you guessed it – why I write. Sounds simple enough. Thanks for tagging me, Emily! Here goes nothing!
Why do I write?
I’ve already covered this question pretty thoroughly in one of my very first blog posts. There are several reasons I write, but they all trace back to one major point. In a nutshell, I write because writing makes me happy. It’s my calling, the air I breathe, the practice that gives my life purpose. It’s the one thing I feel with every last fiber of my being that I was meant to do. I’m not a writer because I write; I write because I am a writer.
What am I working on?
Right now, I’m mostly working on this blog and, if they count, academic papers for grad school. I also have plans to compile some short stories for self-publication, as well as devote more time to those sci-fi/fantasy novels that have been bouncing around in my mind for a few years now.
How does my writing differ from others in my genre?
To answer this question, I’d first need to identify my “genre”. Generally speaking, though, I prefer to write stories based on the tons of research I like do on subjects that interest me. In fantasy, much of my writing has roots in ancient mythology, as I mostly write magical creatures based on the mythical beasts I used to read about all the time as a kid. In science fiction, I like to write based on the real scientific subjects I’ve studied in college as a Biology major. And in romance, most of the love relationships I write about start out as friendships, because I’ve learned from my parents’ relationship and personal experience that love based on friendship is the best kind of love. All these practices may not make my writing better than that of other writers, but they certainly make it mine!
Why do I write what I do?
I like to try my hand at as many different styles and genres as I can, but I do have my favorites. I write fantasy and science fiction because they’re a great escape from the confines of reality. I write romance because one of my favorite themes in fiction and in real life is love, and I enjoy expressing my idealistic views on the subject through storytelling. And I write poetry because it’s an excellent emotional outlet.
How does my writing process work?
I don’t really have a set process when it comes to writing, but I suppose it consists of a lot of daydreaming. For most of my work, ideas usually come to me during my idle thinking, and the ones I like best get written down and eventually become the flash fiction stories and poems I share online. As for longer works such as short stories and novels, I spend a significant amount of time planning them in my head before I even write the first word. I focus on telling a good story during the writing stage, and I put equal effort into editing so as to satisfy my high standards for technique. In the end, what I’m (hopefully) left with are stories that I can be proud to present to the world. Though my processes differ from each other, what all my works have in common is that I pour my heart and soul into every word I write. Writing is my ultimate passion, and I wouldn’t have it any other way!
Passing the Torch
Now I’m supposed to tag three people to answer the same questions on why they write. For this chain, I choose Vanessa Levin-Pompetzki, Beth Teliho and Inion N. Mathair (which technically makes four people, but two of them write for the same blog!). Can’t wait to read about why you all write! Good luck, ladies!
by Naomi L. | July 7, 2014 | Blog, Word of the Week |
Word: idiosyncrasy
Pronunciation: i-dee-ə-SIN-krə-see
Part of Speech: noun
Definition:
- a mode of behavior or way of thought peculiar to an individual
- a distinctive or peculiar feature or characteristic of a place or thing
Source: Oxford Dictionaries
Look, you do understand that Sheldon really doesn’t care when he gets the money back. It’s actually one of the few idiosyncrasies that doesn’t make you want to, you know, kill him.
– Leonard Hofstadter, The Big Bang Theory (Season 2, Episode 14 – The Financial Permeability)
Here’s another fun word I learned from The Big Bang Theory. Some time after borrowing money from Sheldon, Penny starts to feel guilty for not yet being able to pay him back, a fact made evident by her increasingly irritable behavior. In an attempt to make her feel better, Leonard reassures her that Sheldon doesn’t mind going an extended period of time without the money he lent her, which, unlike most of his other quirks, is actually a positive one.
An “idiosyncrasy” is a characteristic that’s peculiar to a person, place or thing. The word arose in the early 17th century and was used in the sense of “physical constitution peculiar to an individual”. It is derived from the Greek word idiosunkrasia, which is comprised of three roots: idios “own, private”, sun “with”, and krasis “mixture”.
Aside from its informal uses as a synonym for “peculiarity”, the word “idiosyncrasy” also functions as a medical term to mean “an abnormal physical reaction by an individual to a food or drug”. Of course, this definition would most likely only be useful if you write medical dramas, so if you choose to include the word in your writing, you’ll probably use it in its more common sense. It’s an especially great word to keep in mind if you like to write eccentric characters, so have fun throwing plenty of “idiosyncrasies” into your stories!
What are your thoughts on this word? Any suggestions for future “Word of the Week” featured words?
by Naomi L. | July 2, 2014 | Blog, Creative Writing, Tropes |
Some time ago, I wrote a blog post about a trope known as Chekhov’s Gun, a literary device in which a seemingly unimportant detail later becomes significant to the plot. But what if you want to achieve the opposite effect, that is, introduce a supposedly important detail that later turns out to have little or nothing to do with the main story? Today’s post features a sister trope that’s equally useful and just as fun to write. Do you enjoy misleading your readers with deceptive clues? Then let me introduce you to the next handy tool in your arsenal: the Red Herring.
Herring? Where?
The “red herring” is a type of heavily cured/smoked kipper. The idiom may have originated from anecdotes relating its use as a tool for misleading hunting dogs.
(CC Image by misocrazy via Flickr)
The Red Herring is a common device in fiction, employed by writers who like to keep readers on their toes. Simply put, it’s a clue intended to lead in the wrong direction. This is an especially useful trope for plots that involve a lot of mystery, as misleading details help to keep the element of surprise. After all, a story in which the major secret is easy to deduce from the beginning isn’t really worth the read, is it?
Like the Chekhov’s Gun, a Red Herring generally relies on the principle of conservation of detail to work properly: every detail presented in a story must have a reason for being there, otherwise it should be discarded. Of course, as mentioned above, a Red Herring functions in the opposite manner as a Chekhov’s Gun in that it’s intended to seem important upon its introduction but is later revealed to have been a distraction from the true secret of the story. The challenge for the audience is trying to tell the fake clues from the real ones!
Placing a Red Herring
Although every Red Herring is purposely used to throw the audience off, the best ones still have some significant connection to the plot even after being revealed as false leads. For instance, a clue can be introduced to set up suspicions about a certain character. This character may later turn out to be innocent, but the clue that seemed to be pointing to them justifies another character as the culprit instead. The example provided on TV Tropes is that of suspects in a hypothetical murder case, but I suppose it could apply to any kind of mystery. The only limit is your own imagination!
For writers who like to get really creative, Red Herrings come in different “flavors”. Subtropes include the Red Herring Shirt, when someone in the background turns out to be an important character; the Red Herring Mole, when a character who seems suspicious turns out to be innocent; and the Red Herring Twist, when a detail played as a potential Chekhov’s Gun turns out to be nothing more than a distraction from the main plot. It’s also possible to create a similar effect with a mistake as opposed to intentional misdirection, while a plot twist confused for a Red Herring due to its overly obvious nature is known as an Untwist.
Overall, I find Red Herrings very enjoyable to write, for when placed well, they can definitely add some interesting twists to a story. Have fun trying them out for yourself, and good luck throwing your readers off with misleading clues!
by Naomi L. | June 30, 2014 | Blog, Word of the Week |
Word: elucidate
Pronunciation: i-LOO-si-dayt
Part of Speech: verb
Definition: make (something) clear; explain
Source: Oxford Dictionaries
This week, I decided to share a verb taken from my experience as a Biology student. There isn’t much I can say about the word “elucidate”, except that it’s one I see quite a bit in academic writing. I was actually inspired to include it in my vocabulary segment after recently reading it yet again in a scientific paper, as I feel it’s a word that has potential to work equally well in fiction.
To “elucidate” something is to explain it or make it clear. The word comes from the Latin verb elucidare, which means “enlighten”. This verb is comprised of two roots: the preposition ex “out” and the adjective lucidus “clear”.
“Elucidate” may be one of those unnecessarily advanced synonyms for a common word, or at least that’s my impression of it. I rarely see it outside of academic texts, as most other cases in which it might work tend to use simpler terms such as “explain” or “make clear” instead. Still, you may be able to fit this less common word into your stories, particularly if you write intelligent characters who use advanced vocabulary. As long as you’re able to “elucidate” the meaning within your writing on the first try, you should be fine!
What are your thoughts on this word? Any suggestions for future “Word of the Week” featured words?
by Naomi L. | June 25, 2014 | Blog, Creative Writing |
Today I’d like to pay tribute to two wonderful people who are very special to me. They have loved and supported me my entire life, and I’m so grateful for everything they’ve done for me. So to honor them both, here’s my take on why grandparents can be such great sources of stories and creative inspiration. Happy Birthday, Grandma and Grandpa! I love you both so much!
Why Grandparents Make the Best Storytellers
1) They literally have a lifetime of experience to share. A key ingredient to good storytelling is experience. That’s why when writers haven’t been through certain situations firsthand, they research accounts from people who have. Fortunately, some of us are lucky enough to have excellent sources right in our own families, and those are usually the people who have been through the most in life. Grandparents have decades of experience to share, and that adds up to a lifetime of interesting stories (to cite examples from my family, my maternal grandmother was a ballet dancer and my late paternal grandfather was a WWII veteran). You may have a goldmine of creative ideas among your own relatives, so why wouldn’t you want to take advantage of that?
2) They’re living witnesses to how quickly times change. “When I was your age” seems to be a favorite phrase of many elders, and while young people have a tendency to take it for granted, it’s definitely one of those sentence starters that shouldn’t be ignored. History has never changed at such an accelerated pace as it has in the last couple of centuries, to the point where there are references that only people who grew up in a specific decade will understand (I myself am one of the “’90s kids”). That’s why the longer someone has lived, the more they can testify to how quickly times change. So once in a while, stop and listen to what your grandparents have to say about how the world was when they were young. You’re bound to learn about realities you never even imagined!
3) Their stories come with valuable advice. The best stories are those with lessons that can be applied to real life, and grandparents are full of wisdom just waiting to be imparted. Even if they aren’t applicable to your writing, you’re still likely to find a good moral or two by which to live your life. On top of enlightening you about the past, your grandparents can also teach you how to make the most of your future!
4) They’re comfortable with their audience. Isn’t it wonderful when a storyteller is so close with their audience that there are no inhibitions when it comes to sharing a tale? This seems to happen most frequently among family members. Elders often seem eager to pass their knowledge on to younger generations, and anyone patient enough to listen will likely find that this makes for some pretty good storytelling. Grandchildren, remember: if nothing else, you can always appreciate the joy your grandparents feel when telling you their stories!
5) They tell their stories with love! If there’s one thing grandparents have plenty to give, it’s unconditional love! All the stories and wisdom they share with their grandchildren are told with good intentions; they want their loved ones to learn as much as possible about life and to succeed in the world. You should always respect your elders, but especially your grandparents. If they enjoy talking to you and spend hours telling you stories, it’s because they love you!
Are your grandparents still around? Do (or did) you enjoy listening to their stories? What have you learned from them?
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