Do you want to know just the right word?

I used to have a reverse dictionary. I thought about writing one, and then i found it. It didn’t work as well as mine and cost about $40 in 1990. My cats immediately pulled in off the shelf and somehow dragged it into their litter box. (It wasn’t the first or last time). Jean Cogdell introduces readers to OneLook.

In addition to Onelook there’s Wordsmyth or you can buy the Oxford Reverse Dictionary at Amazon.

jean's writing

Happens to me more than I’d like to admit!

I’ve found a tool to help!

I’m on a roll, typing like a maniac. 

Until I stumble over a word.

My writing comes to a screeching halt. A word isn’t right. But I don’t want to stop my progress. After all, I’m a writing maniac. So I use a placeholder, I’ll come back to this section later and figure out the right word or words to convey my thoughts.

However, I’ve now got an itch I can’t scratch. That thought, that missing word or phase will not leave me alone.

Ever happen to you?

My protagonist whispers he can’t work like this, it’s too unprofessional.

Sigh, okay, I cave, save what little progress I’ve made and return to my placeholder. So I…

Think, think, think, I’ve got nothing.
Look up the placeholder word. Huh? Not even close. What was I thinking?
Check thesaurus. What…

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