A Word Is A Word Isn't A Word

Hi, I'm Debbie, one of the editors here at Lyrical Press. Some of you all are lucky enough to have me as an editor, and some of you know me by way of facebook, myspace, writing groups or some other means. Some of you might not know me at all. And if you don't it's so nice to meet you. I have been writing for about four years now, and editing for about three. I am a mom to a beautiful little seven year old girl named Cheyenne. I love to cook and do many crafts, including scrapbooking and crochet. I am a huge music fan, and I believe that there is nothing music can't solve, and music is my tool for writing too :) Often I can be found with the music blaring and my nose glued to the computer either writing or editing. One of my quirks is that I can't work in silence. It bothers me lol. I have to have the TV or radio on, or my daughter talking to me....silence is deadly or so they say :) I also am a big nature freak. I love to be outdoors walking, swimming, hiking, at the park, whatever as long as it involves the sunshine, trees and everything outside :) Lucky for me I have a laptop and pair of sunglasses :)

Anyway, I've written an article I'd like to share with you guys about word choice. This is something I posted on my own blog a few days ago and I'd like to share it here also. So, without further ado, enjoy, and please don't hesitate to ask questions, leave me a comment, and/or just say hello!

As an editor, one of the things that peeves me is to come across a manuscript that is so good, but for the fact that the author has used the same words over and over again. Many times, authors don't realize just how often they are using what we like to call "pet words". Words that could be replaced by an alternative, but have become so easy to the author, they are thoughtlessly placed in the manuscript in order to "get the story out."

We as editors understand this concept. However, once the story has been written, there are certain tricks and tips that you as an author can use to look for these overused words and change them. First, let me stress to you, READ your manuscript. Don't think because it's written that you are done. The writing is the easy part. You as an author now also have the responsibility to perfect it. The first step in that process is to read word for word and ensure that what you have written makes sense. Does it flow? Are all your facts straight? Are your character names right? Do you overuse them? Do you overuse your pronouns? Are you straight on your character's motivations and traits? While reading, take notes. Are there words popping up more frequently than others?

Yes? Please say yes, because ALL authors have them. If you think you don't you are fooling yourself. With your list in hand, and manuscript read, use Microsoft Word's Highlight Feature. I use a different color for each word. Highlight these words so that you can easily see them and change them. If you don't know how to use the highlight feature, leave me a message, I will send you detailed instructions. It's really simple.

Now, with the words highlighted, you can go back and once again read your manuscript, this time editing the things you noted on your first reading and changing those words. It makes a difference what words you use. Why use the word look 60 times when there are so many others. Have you put the word shook in your manuscript 100 times? Well, why can't he or she rock, sway, didder, stir etc. And it goes beyond choosing synonyms. If you've used this word so many times, maybe it's time for your character to stop shaking. Take the word whisper. There is only so many times and so many ways a character can whisper before it becomes unreal. A character doesn't whisper all the time, well, unless they've had a tracheotomy and that should be explained, and then we editors will understand.

The bottom line is your word choice matters. It REALLY does. Don't choose these words that people will have to look up. No one wants to sit there with a dictionary and read your book. Why would I want to stop reading your story to look up a word I don't know? At the same time, don't dumb it down. Just write....write like you're talking to a friend. Talking to the average Joe. Let's face it. That's who is reading your book. So words like gesticulate might not be fitting when you can so easily say your character stirred in his sleep. Who says he gesticulated?

Before you submit your manuscript, take a moment and read it out loud. It may sound all good in your head, but when your hear it read, it may be totally different. The flow really comes out when you hear it as opposed to reading it. You'll hear those words that don't fit. You'll hear when you've said a word over and over again. You'll hear words that aren't ringing true. You'll hear it...and it's another way your brain operates that will help you submit your best work!

As authors that is what we all should want...our best work!

What makes us do that?

Author.
What a lovely word. A title I always dreamed would someday be mine. Since the release of my first novel, The Timestone Key, on October 19, I’ve been pinching myself a lot—trying to make sure that this experience is a dream-come-true and not just a dream.

When I was 22, I was in my first interview for my first job, an English teacher position at the local high school. The superintendent asked me what I saw myself doing when I was forty. I realize now that the definitive answer would have been something that mentioned still being a teacher at that school. Instead, in my naiveté, I answered, “I hope to have written the great American novel.”

Well, it isn’t exactly THE great American novel, and I didn’t make it by the time I reached forty, but seeing my name on the front cover of a book is certainly the fulfillment of a life-long dream for me.

The Timestone Key is the story of my heart—a romantic Arthurian fantasy conceived while on a vacation in England. I dragged my husband from one Arthurian site to another on my own quest. Stonehenge. Camelford. Tintagel. Glastonbury Tor. The places themselves conjured a story in my mind. I couldn’t rest until I had it written down.

What is it that drives us to tell our stories? Where does the compulsion originate? In her famous diary, Anne Frank wrote: “I want to go on living even after I die.” Poignant words from a writer lost to us well before her time should have even begun. But I get what Anne was saying. I want my children and my grandchildren and my great-grandchildren to know who I was and what made me tick. It’s a way to touch immortality at some level.

So today, we’re celebrating life and dreams that come true! Share with me what compels you to write or read or draw or do whatever it is that you truly love.

And BTW, I got that teaching job!

I think I'll take a bath. Yes, definitely. After a ten hour work day in the hair salon I'm ready to sit, relax, and soak. Maybe I'll add some candles and soft music, too. That's what us romance writers do you know. We have husbands who massage our feet. Children who listen and reply to us with a courteous 'thank you' or 'please'. Our homes are kept spotless by maids and we have cooks who whip up delicious healthy foods we rave about at our weekly women's group. Then, of course, we all have pool boys. Hee heee heee. Pool boys! Can I get anymore cliche'? Well, I could add that we all have a cabana, too.

Yes, I'd love to take a bath tonight but its just not going to happen. Writing duty calls and when that happens I better listen or I'll be up all night troubled by the fact my characters are in limbo. This is a sure fire sign I need to get typing. Many authors say they need to purge themselves everyday but I sometimes don't have it in me. When this happens I simply write in my head until a complete story has formed. It could take days to liberate myself from the saga that has been building in my mind. I once wrote and edited a complete novel in five weeks. Sleep was an option and there was no clean clothes in the house, but everyone seemed to manage while Mom became a hermit living in 'The Cave'. ('The Cave' is what we call my office because there isn't any windows in it.) The hard part for me isn't thinking up stories to tell. Oh no! I'm much too simple of a person for that; or am I complex? You be the judge.
The hardest part for me is sitting my butt down and writing. The fear of failure is what kept me away and why I didn't start telling tales until I was in my thirties. Now I can't stop!

My debut novel, Divine Turmoil, took me about ten months to write. I enjoyed the seclusion of weaving lives into stories of love. Through the process I often wondered: Who were these people living in my imagination? What do they want out of their lives? Where are they going and how will they get there? All valid questions and important when it comes to making sure a plot is intriguing enough for a reader to need to finish the story. 

From that first word I've ever typed to the ending of Divine Turmoil, I always knew how very lucky I am to be able to verbalize my daydreams into playful words and entertaining stories. I never doubted I would see my novel up for sale. Insecurity isn't an option when a goal is set and your dreams are hinging on you to make them a reality. If I learned anything from this journey it is that even in our busy everyday lives we need to remember who we are. I am a wife, mother, laundry mat, taxi, maid, cook, thank goodness I don't have a pool! But most of all, I am a writer and I love what I do.

Rebecca Rose

You can read more about this author at https://sites.google.com/a/authorrebeccarose.com/divine-turmoil/ 

Roget's. Love him? Or love him not?

Back when I first started writing with intent to publish, Roget's Thesaurus was my trusty best pal. He and I spent hours together coming up with brainy alternatives to everyday words -- most notably synonyms for "said". (My copy still falls open to the "say" page.)

Yowch. I thought I was so original because I'd come up with 98 different ways for my characters to express themselves. Then I read Stephen King's On Writing and it took the wind right outta my literary sails. King told me if my dialogue was strong, I didn't need all those silly variations. Well. You know, he was right. And when I started my revisions, I discovered it was obvious when a character exclaimed, because we have punctuation for just such an incident... Nor did I need crazy adverbs attached to "said", such as "said angrily". If the character's language is strong, as it will be if he's angry, why talk down to the reader? Garsh. That Mr. King knows his writing!

But what about all the other cool words in that fat little paperback? Surely it's more descriptive to have a vehicle "careen" off the road than to simply drive off. We get a great visual when a character saunters, limps, or promenades, rather than when she simply walks. Kinda feels like I still need the thesaurus.

Should I end this co-dependent relationship? (I'd planned to include Roget's in the dedications of my first book! We really do go back. Maybe I owe him. He probably meant well...)

After careful consideration, I've decided to keep things casual (platonic, nonchalant, perfunctory) and only turn to him for great verbs -- except for dialogue tags. Seldom-used adverbs, adjectives, and nouns tend to come off sounding a bit la-dee-da (professorial, hoity-toity, commencement speechish) for the voices of my characters. Not to say I won't consult Roget if I'm stumped (befuddled, flummoxed, at a loss) for a word now and then, but I'm careful not to get too dependent (needy, clingy, tied to the apron strings of).

After all, I wouldn't want to offend (gall, rile, piss off) my muse, who's been with me since I was 8 and the only way I knew how to tag my characters' speech was "said" and "asked".

Sometimes less really is more.

Piper Denna
Romance is sexy!
http://www.piperdenna.com/
http://piperpatter.blogspot.com/

Celebrating Release Day

Delilah : Hi everyone! I’m Delilah K. Stephans. I’m here with my buddy Antonia Tiranth, Jett Houston and Amara Carnesir. We’re hoping that you will join us as we celebrate the release of Jett and Amara’s book. I’m going to let Antonia say hi.

Antonia : Hey guys! I'm really excited about this release for a few reasons. First, its my third published work and that never gets dull. ^.^ Second, its the continuation of a tale that I am very much enjoying being the teller of. And finally, because its the first published work from both Del and I. Its not the first thing we've written together by any means and Del has been with me the whole time with the Rikashi series, helping me when I'm stuck and editing among other things. Okay, enough about me. I should introduce you to our stars, Jett and Amara!

Jett: Guess I’m up next. Well, Tir – that’s what Delilah calls Antonia – started chronicling the Rikashi stories. No one has quite figured out how she’s doing it, but that’s not the point. So when it came time for Black Velvet. I thought since those two were writing buddies that Del should get in on the fun…

Amara: Oh be honest, you just wanted to be difficult. And Antonia is too polite to type your foul mouth.

Jett: I am so paddling your ass when we get home Princess.

Amara: I might just enjoy it.

Delilah: Ok you two behave! Sheesh.

Jett: So, where was I? So, I wouldn’t talk to Tir. Drove her nuts!

Antonia : Nuts doesn't begin to cover it. More like hair pulling frustration.


Jett: Anyway, they go ways back writing and finished our story.

Amara: Wow! You didn’t cuss once, I’m impressed. I’m Amara. think Antonia was a little surprised when I ended up being in the middle of the third tale. I wasn't exactly very talkative in The Gathering ...I'll blame that one on Daddy...but I'm sure you'll find our story interesting. You'll learn more about the prophecy and some of the changes happening in our society. Things definitely heat up *looks at Jett* on several levels.


Antonia: You can say that again. So, I hope you guys take a look at Black Velvet. If you're new to the series, you should take a look at the first two. Now, what are we doing to celebrate? I'll let Del tell you about that.

Delilah: Ok so while we’re here we’ll be answering any and all questions. For one lucky commenter we have downloads of the two songs that fit the book – Tal Bachman’s “She’s so High” and Alannah Myles’ “Black Velvet”. For a few others we’ve got a stockpile of goodies we’ll be giving out – buttons, cover flats, bookmarks, and other goodies. So feel free to ask questions or just say hi!

Antonia : The songs will be provided via a gift download from iTunes (just figured out how to do that!) Del and I love hearing from readers and invite you to visit our websites, Delilah's and mine. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook. And now for a look at the cover, Amara...stop drooling.



And the blurb : I scanned the tables and counter, my eyes settling on him. There he was. Dark cowboy hat, dark coat, dark hair, and too handsome for his own good. He was sitting in one of the back booths, blending with the shadows.

I walked to his table, seating myself across from him. He looked over his menu at me and smirked.

“Just can’t stay away from me, can you, Princess?”

The nickname made me bristle, but I took a deep breath. I had to keep my focus on the mission. “So it seems.”

“Interesting,” he murmured, turning his eyes back to the menu, his face hidden beneath the brim of the hat.

Now what? What exactly should I say to him?

“We need you,” I blurted. Might as well get right to the point, rather than beat around the bush.

He laid the menu on the table. His dark eyes skimmed over my hair, my lips and down to my breasts, before returning to meet mine. My breath caught in my throat. There was such intensity in those eyes.

“We,” he echoed, then his voice dropped to a gravelly tone that made me want to squirm in my seat, “…or you?”

Now exactly what was that supposed to mean? I was one of the Aikanaro, if all of us needed him, didn’t that mean by extension each of us needed him? “I need you to come --”

“Ladies first.” He tapped the brim of his hat with a finger and winked.

I blinked at him, not understanding what he meant by that. Then slowly his meaning hit me and heat crept into my cheeks. “That’s not what I meant,” I snapped. “If you would just let me finish.”

You can get your copy of the book from Lyrical Press, Inc.

Enjoy these new books from Lyrical Press! 11.02.2009

Enjoy these new releases from Lyrical Press!
Shop for additional Lyrical books at Once Upon A Bookstore.

Black Velvet by Antoinia Tiranth and Delilah K. Stephans
http://www.lyricalpress.com/black_velvet

Genre: Romance/Fantasy
Digital ISBN: 978-1-61650-091-7
Length: Short Novel
Price: $4.50

Always in battle, always alone... A prophecy that cannot be denied.

Determined to avoid a forced marriage, Amara hops a plane to find and recruit Jett, the only man her fellow shifters believe can save them.

Jett cares little for Amara's cause, and an ancient prophecy has told him he must always fight alone. But when the plucky lass shows up in his life and refuses to leave, the last thing he expects is the turbulent emotions her presences brings.
When she's not busy hating him, Amara kind of likes Jett, and Jett can't deny that he's falling for her. But when love ignites between them, can they deny their destiny?

Content warning: Sexual innuendo, explicit sexual situations, language.

Divine Turmoil by Rebecca Rose
http://www.lyricalpress.com/divine_turmoil

Genre: Romance/Contemporary
Digital ISBN: 978-1-61650-090-0
Length: Novel
Price: $5.50

Family drama and a sexy neighbor create divine turmoil.

A family illness draws Serena home to face issues she's avoided for years: an absent father, an ornery sister, and steamy neighbor Brian Allan.

With one broken marriage behind him, Brian can't believe he's falling for Serena. She's a risk on heels -- spirited but vulnerable, and utterly irresistible. He'd be crazy to give her a second glance. She'll break his heart. Or his bed. Probably both...

Content warning: This title contains strong emotional content and delicious sex. What more could you ask for?

Fear and Desire by Kathleen Brandt
http://www.lyricalpress.com/fear_and_desire

Genre: Romance/Fantasy
Digital ISBN: 978-1-61650-088-7
Length: Novella
Price: $3.50

Cassie's been touched by an angel -- and found it terrifying.

Defying her fear of heights, Cassie has moved in to the tallest building in town. She’s doing pretty well until a thunderstorm blows an unexpected visitor through her balcony window, and she finds herself nursing a wounded angel back to health.

Tending to the angel's wounds teaches Cassie a lot more than she expected about fear...and about desire.

Content warning, explicit m/f sex, virginity loss.

When the Condor Returned by Icy Snow Blackstone
http://www.lyricalpress.com/when_the_condor_returned

Genre: Romance/Science Fiction
Digital ISBN: 978-1-61650-089-4
Length: Novel
Price: $5.50

Peace was within their grasp...and then the enemy returned.

Love doesn't necessarily conquer all. Newlyweds Philip and Rebekah represent the union of two different people, but the Earthmen and the Tusteya are not understaanding of their union.
Philip needs to convince everyone that he is a capable ruler. When he and Rebekah think they've succeeded, The Condor, a Federation spaceship returns, reawakening thirty years of hatred and aggression.

Captain Renault, in charge of the Condor, considers himself a by-the-book commander. Whatever he does, he has the excuse of following orders. His viewpoints set him up to be in conflict with Phillip.

Phillip must answer the ultimate question--is he Tusteyan or Earthman?

Halloween - It's Like Reading a Good Novel

It's Halloween, the holiday of ghouls and goblins, masquerade parties, jack o' lanterns, and haunted houses. I love this time of year. Maybe it's because I refuse to outgrow the holiday. Maybe it's because I like autumn and candy and carving pumpkins and seeing children enjoy the tricks and treats. Maybe it's because I write paranormal horror, and I like things that go bump in the night.

Or maybe I like Halloween for the same reasons I like to read a good novel.

Sound like a stretch? Think about this. When you're caught up in a novel, isn't it often because you relate to a main character? You feel that character's emotions, understand her motivations, like her friends, despise her enemies, face her obstacles. Or maybe you enjoy the setting or atmosphere the novel creates. Perhaps it's the situation that draws you in, but for whatever reason, reading lets you slip into a character or time or place or storyline, at least until you reach the end.

A bit like putting on a costume and acting out a part for one night, isn't it?

Plot twists are tricks, a satisfying ending is a treat, and you're presented with all sorts of characters and get to decide just who they really are (and these characters don't make you answer the door and then stroll off with your candy).

The parallel between Halloween and reading a good novel strengthens if the novel contains an element of fear or the supernatural. Over at Once Upon a Bookstore, Lyrical Press offers a wide variety of stories to satisfy your paranormal cravings, including my recent release, Dark Knowledge. So head on over to the Lyrical Press bookstore, download a book or two, and treat yourself to a little Halloween fun any night of the year.

And as long as I'm on the subject of paranormal cravings, I'll leave you with a short piece about this horror writer's paranormal cravings. Trick or treat?

A HORROR WRITER'S HALLOWEEN CRAVING

May this Halloween fulfill what you desire most, be it candy or eternal youth, but be careful. With either satisfaction comes a price: empty calories or an empty soul.

I can satisfy either of your desires, but you must choose which. Don't rush your decision. First, acknowledge your hungers. Listen to their moans but also understand hunger is the only the ache of desire. Feel the ache. Follow it inside yourself, look upon your true desires, and then choose which hunger to feed.

I'll abide by your decision. Come scare me on my doorstep, and I'll give you chocolate. Summon me, and I'll satisfy both of our deeper cravings.

Don't be shocked to learn of my Halloween feedings. When you think about it, satisfying this craving isn't all that different from what I do every other day of the year. The characters in my novels don't change beyond the pages. If I leave them at twenty-two, they remain twenty-two forever, ageless and immortal--unless I kill them in edits or delete their entire existence, evaporating them like they were never born. The only difference on Halloween is that the immortals left behind aren't created, they're transformed. They are, however, still mine.

So I ask you again to understand your true desires. If mortality has become a burden, if endless youth beckons, this is the night I can help you. No need to call. Once you decide, just concentrate on the pulse in your neck. Close your eyes, and drown out all other thoughts until you hear the blood surge with each pump of your heart.

When you feel my presence, you have a choice to make. No, not the one you're thinking. You've already made that decision. But you can choose whether to experience your transformation or not. Open your eyes and look into mine, and I'll make sure you remember it only as a vague dream.

But to experience the full pleasure of the change, keep your eyes closed when you feel my hot breath on your neck, my tongue tasting your skin. There will be some pain upon penetration--I can't help that--but then I'll begin sucking. It'll be over before you want it to be. I promise.


Keith Pyeatt
Horror with Heart
Paranormal thrills, real emotion

** Thanks to Cullan Hudson of Fresh Eire Designs for vampirizing my picture.**