Comments on: Dude, find a new word

By: Carnival Round Up | Life on Avenue Z

Carnival Round Up | Life on Avenue Z — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 19:15:07 +0000

[...] The Incurable Disease of Writing has a Just Write Blog Carnival. They ran Dude, Find a New Word. [...]

By: Nacie Carson

Nacie Carson — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 14:43:33 +0000

While on the one hand that is really funny, it is also so true! It is totally easy to 1) pick up phrases and -isms from other people that NEVER go away, and 2) that in writing it is easy to become too comfortable with your standby phrases. I have a few of both myself…from my ex-boyfriend I will now say “no worries” forever instead of “you’re welcome.” a lame little habit, I know. As far as writing goes, I am someone who, when I am feeling especially lazy, goes on an -ly bender. Example: “The cat looked lazily at the carefully yet modestly placed toy on the floor and felt truly, honestly, and sincerely disinterested.”

ahhh! so frustrating! If you find a cure for word laziness let me know!

By: Just Write Blog Carnival October 3, 2008 Edition - Incurable Disease of Writing

Just Write Blog Carnival October 3, 2008 Edition - Incurable Disease of Writing — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 05:01:07 +0000

[...] Ziesenis presents Dude, find a new word posted at Life on Avenue Z, saying, “Do you take the easy word out? A freelance writer calls [...]

By: Sherri

Sherri — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 18:25:32 +0000

Dear Dude:

How about a new word for discretion. You gave away DJ’s age (i would have said forty-something?) and Philly ex’s phart? That’s my new word for passing gas without making it an F word. I pray you won’t give up any similar secrets on me. I enjoy being in my forties and noone (not even you Beth) lives in a phart-free world. We miss you here in Philly!
S

By: Beth

Beth — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 22:08:17 +0000

Oh dear. It never ends.

By: D.J.

D.J. — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 22:02:02 +0000

dude,

I think I will leave my office and go for a bike ride. Perhaps even pass gas and others at the same time.

Dude

By: Sara Best

Sara Best — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 16:24:58 +0000

Mark – Zinsser sits on the shelf beside my desk as one of my writing bibles (there are a few). I think he is brilliant in his insistance that we relentlessly cut out the “flab”. I’m a big fan!

By: Rebecca Smith

Rebecca Smith — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 16:18:01 +0000

Great stuff, Beth!

Can’t tell you how many times I’ve struggled to find an alternate word for “solution” when writing marketing copy. Any solution?

“Innovative” — ugh. Good call, Steph. How about “proactive”?

(LOL. Your ex reminds me of Hurley from “Lost”; he calls EVERYONE “dude.”)

By: Mark McClure

Mark McClure — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 04:31:02 +0000

Gas! HaHa! Our 5yr old (middle age in human terms) American cocker spaniel lies contentedly under my writing chair and the occasional cruel waft makes my eyes water. Is she aware my writing is that stinking bad?

On the writing front… what do you writers think of William Zinsser’s “On Writing Well”? I get what he’s describing but absorbing such wisdom is taking time – as expected, I guess.

By: steph

steph — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 16:49:33 +0000

AHAHAHA!! Oh man. That Philly ex. (Typical guy!)

This was a really great post. I’ve noticed this in copy, too, but I understand how hard it is to be, er, innovative (another of those cliché words!).

At the same time, you don’t want to make the mistake I see of some writers, such that they sound like walking thesauruses (sounds like some type of dinosaur!), and half the time the alternative words aren’t used correctly!

I think it’s a wonderful sign when a writer becomes conscious of clichés in their text. It means you’re growing yet again and your writing is getting even better.