by Naomi L. | November 9, 2015 | Blog, Word of the Week |
Word: cumbersome
Pronunciation: KƏM-bər-səm
Part of Speech: adjective
Definition: large or heavy and therefore difficult to carry or use; unwieldy
Source: Oxford Dictionaries
This week’s vocabulary word is a good one to define some of the obstacles we face in life. Every now and then, you may find you need to move something large and heavy or face a situation that sets you back, and it’s expected that fictional characters must face the same trials. You could say that such obstacles are “cumbersome”: they may slow you down, but they don’t necessarily have to stop you from achieving success!
A “cumbersome” object is difficult to carry or use due to being too large and/or heavy. The word arose in late Middle English in the sense “difficult to get through” and stems from the verb “encumber”, meaning “restrict or burden (someone or something) in such a way that free action or movement is difficult”. This verb comes from the Old French verb encombrer “to block up”, which comprises the prefix en “in” and the verb combrer “to hinder”.
As noted above, while “cumbersome” primarily refers to concrete objects, it can also be used to describe abstract concepts, as it has the sub-definition “slow or complicated and therefore inefficient”. Based on the contexts in which I’ve read it, I believe this word applies best to obstacles that hinder but don’t completely halt progress. If the conflicts in your stories often slow your characters down, “cumbersome” may be a good word to define the obstacles in their way! Good luck!
What are your thoughts on this word? Any suggestions for future “Word of the Week” featured words?
by Naomi L. | November 2, 2015 | Blog, Word of the Week |
Word: superfluous
Pronunciation: soo-PƏR-flə-wəs
Part of Speech: adjective
Definition: unnecessary, especially through being more than enough
Source: Oxford Dictionaries
Today’s Word of the Week is a good one to know for unsatisfactory writing. Often when a writer goes overboard with the descriptions in their fiction, it detracts from the action of their story. In this case, an editor or reviewer could say the detail in the story is “superfluous”, as it has crossed a limit into being unnecessarily wordy. Writers beware: detailed descriptions are fine, but you never want them to be excessively elaborate!
To be “superfluous” is to be excessive and thus unnecessary. The word arose in late Middle English and comes from the Latin adjective superfluus, meaning “in excess”. This adjective comprises the preposition super “over” and the verb fluere “to flow”.
With its roots in the Latin words for “over” and “flow”, it’s no wonder the adjective “superfluous” easily brings to mind the image of water overflowing. While it doesn’t necessarily have to apply to liquid, this image does make it easier to memorize the word’s definition of excess. Whether you’re describing too many objects or too many ideas, “superfluous” is a good word to keep in mind for anything that’s more than necessary. Have fun writing about the “superfluous” things in your stories; just take care not to use “superfluous” detail in your narrative! Good luck!
What are your thoughts on this word? Any suggestions for future “Word of the Week” featured words?
by Naomi L. | October 28, 2015 | Blog, Creative Writing, What If? Writing Prompts |
Halloween is just around the corner, so why not stock up on some new “What If?” Writing Prompts for the occasion? This week features another set of horror-themed prompts. See what scary stories you can create from these ideas! Have fun!
What if… you woke up in someone else’s body?
What if… your neighbors became zombies and started coming after you?
What if… you discovered a monster living in your basement?
What if… the ghost stories you and your childhood friends used to tell… turned out to be true?
What if… you discovered a carnivorous plant… that ate people?
Good luck writing some more horror stories!
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 26, 2015 | Blog, Word of the Week |
Word: cantankerous
Pronunciation: kan-TAN-kər-əs
Part of Speech: adjective
Definition: bad-tempered, argumentative, and uncooperative
Source: Oxford Dictionaries
Today’s Word of the Week was suggested by Kriswasp of I Love Me vol I. He requested I write about the word “cantankerous”, and I’ll be honest: I darn near smacked myself for not having thought to write about it sooner. What an interesting word! Heck, just saying it aloud is fun! “Cantankerous”! Of course, the definition of the word isn’t nearly as pleasant as the sound of it, but if you’re going to call someone “bad-tempered” or “uncooperative”, you may as well go for the most (as Kriswasp puts it) majestic way to say it!
A “cantankerous” person is ill-tempered and argumentative to the point of being difficult. The word arose in the mid 18th century and is of unknown origin, though according to Oxford Dictionaries, it is speculated that it comes from a blend of the Anglo-Irish noun cant “auction” and the English noun “rancor” (“bitterness or resentfulness”), which in turn traces back to the Latin adjective rancidus “stinking”. Another theory states that “cantankerous” may stem from an early amalgamation of two English adjectives: “contentious” (“causing or likely to cause an argument”) and “rancorous” (“characterized by bitterness or resentment”).
While I haven’t yet worked the word “cantankerous” into my own stories very often, I do remember hearing it for the first time years ago and loving how funny it sounded. Most people I’ve seen described as “cantankerous” are elderly and grumpy, but that’s not to say the word can’t be used to describe younger people who are just as uncooperative. If you write characters who tend to argue a lot and who are difficult to work with, “cantankerous” may be a perfect word to fit into your stories! Have fun!
What are your thoughts on this word? Any suggestions for future “Word of the Week” featured words?
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 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!
Recent Comments