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Go-to 'IDK' word?
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[deleted user]
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Aug 23, 2014 12:31AM
When you don't know the name of something, what's your go-to phrase or word that you use in the meantime to substitute that word? Is there a specific reason why you chose that word? This came up because I'm writing a spontaneous screenplay (one that just kind of appears out of nowhere) and I forgot what a windmill was (it happens to the best of us) and it just kind of made me laugh because I put 'wind-thing' in a story that was very serious in subject matter, and it just kind of stood out against everything else; anyhow, it's not a very unique word,but it seems to be what I default to when I don't want to stop writing.
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Hi. I just insert an "ordinary" word and note it in bold then when I have time, I scour a big old worn copy of Roget's Thesaurus to find the proper context and best word. Referring to the thesaurus also helps me sharpen my vocab.Marianne Perry
Author of The Inheritance
Writing inspired by genealogical research to solve family mysteries.
http://www.marianneperry.ca
Marianne wrote: "Hi. I just insert an "ordinary" word and note it in bold then when I have time, I scour a big old worn copy of Roget's Thesaurus to find the proper context and best word. Referring to the thesaurus..."
I do the same thing, except I right-click on the temporary word to use the computer's thesaurus. I can do it immediately, make substitutes, and see what works as I move on.
I do the same thing, except I right-click on the temporary word to use the computer's thesaurus. I can do it immediately, make substitutes, and see what works as I move on.
Hi Ken. Curious. Do you use the computer thesaurus or a text copy? What format have you found more helpful when it comes to selecting the best word for your writing? Thanks.Marianne Perry
Writing inspired by genealogical research to solve family mysteries.
http://www.marianneperry.ca
Marianne wrote: "Hi Ken. Curious. Do you use the computer thesaurus or a text copy? What format have you found more helpful when it comes to selecting the best word for your writing?..."
It's the computer thesaurus. Right clicking on the word you've just written brings it up. I'm not sure what you mean by format; I select the best word based on my best judgment.
It's the computer thesaurus. Right clicking on the word you've just written brings it up. I'm not sure what you mean by format; I select the best word based on my best judgment.
Sorry for my confusing question, Ken. Just meant if you found the computer listing of words as comprehensive and useful as those in the texts used in the past. Always interested in the source of a writer's resources...electronic or text. Seems the shift is to the former but I rely on a mix of the two.
Some years ago I had a Roget's Thesaurus, and used it (and now I can't find it--must have lost it), but nowadays I rely on the computer, and if that's not satisfactory I go to the internet. You can find a ton of alternative words and phrases using those two.
