Translate

Saturday 11 May 2013

Just...

In lots of places relating to writing, I've heard the best advice was to start writing book two whilst book one is being edited/proofread/polished.
So, I'm writing Book Two. There's something I've noticed creeping in - and that's the word 'just'.
Just as emphasis, as in 'just great'. Just as politeness, as in 'just help yourself'.
Just meaning simply, as in 'just another day at the office'. Just meaning recently, as in 'just seen the news'.

Far too many justs!

Writing has made me more aware of how I talk and think.
Sometimes we rely on one word, simply because it seems to fit.
When I was a youngster at school, one English teacher banned the use of the word 'nice'. He thought it was a very nondescript word and that to carry on using it was an act of laziness on our parts, when the English language was full of very descriptive words. He exhorted us to read more widely and keep a dictionary handy. Which is something I've always done.
So how I fell into the 'just' trap, I have no idea.
As I write, I'm watching myself closely. Just in case!


6 comments:

  1. Interesting to read about your writing process! I admire your writing very much!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks, Judy. I'm glad you find it interesting and can find something in it to admire :) x

    ReplyDelete
  3. LOL My word is 'that'. When I write I allow myself a stream of consciousness kind of flow and then go back and edit, edit, edit! There are usually quite a few 'thats' needing deletion!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I guess we all have our own words that become habits, don't we Robin? :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. I am JUST so glad to be able to visit your blog again . I jUST missed you sooo much and I really look forward to seeing what you have been doing with your writing. JUST about time, huh? Signed ... Just me

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hello Tonya - never a 'just' to me!
    I'm so pleased you have some spare time to visit now x

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for your comments!
They will be moderated, so won't appear instantly.