Stella Tarakson

Words that change their meaning

Stella

18/06/2013

Listening to my kids talk to each other made me realise how rapidly the English language changes, even from one generation to the next. Awesome and epic both mean cool, of course, but to different degrees. Luckily cool still means cool, but if you say groovy then you clearly are not. Swag was once a bedroll, as in our Aussie bush ballad. Now, my kids assure me, it refers to someone who walks with their hats on sideways and their trousers hanging low. I’m not sure whether it’s meant to be a good thing or not!

Looks like the jolly swagman had swag …

But all this got me thinking. Like a true nerd, I started googling semantic change, as it’s known, and I thought you might be interested in my findings…

Old words for new things

Some words continue to mean what they used to mean. However, they also refer to new objects or concepts that simply didn’t exist not so long ago.

A mouse is still a little furry animal that squeaks and throws households into panic. It’s also the plastic thing you grip to navigate around your computer screen. They look somewhat like mice, I guess, but then you have mousepads, which don’t. A bookmark, once a staple of mothers’ day stalls, now fulfils a similar function on your Internet browser. Which leads us to the web and a notebook and a tablet and … you get the picture. Just don’t ask me how many pixels.

Narrowing of meaning

But let’s go back further, before living memory. Some words that used to have a broad or general meaning have become narrowed and specialised.

The word girl once described a young child of either gender. Now, of course, it only refers to females. I tried calling my son a girl today and he didn’t like it very much; I wouldn’t recommend it. Similarly, hound used to mean any type of dog, now it refers to a particular hunting breed. Meat used to mean any type of food (hence those confusing words like sweetmeat and nutmeat) but now of course means animal flesh.

Broadening of meaning

Other words have done the opposite. Rather than becoming more specialised, their meaning has broadened to a more general application.

A barn was once a place to store barley. Now it refers to any farm building used for storage or shelter. Salary, derived from the Latin for salt, referred to a soldier’s allotment of salt, then a soldier’s pay, and now wages in general. And thing used to mean an assembly or council and now it means – well, anything.

Total turn around

My favourites are the words that have changed their meaning to something so different, it’s hard to believe they were ever used in that way.

Awful once meant something that inspired awe, rather like awesome in the middle-aged person sense. Pretty meant cunning or sly, and nice meant stupid. Remember that next time someone refers to you as pretty nice. Silly meant happy and gay … actually gay needs no further explanation.

And for the future?

How are we going to keep up with all these changes, without making fools of ourselves? As a children’s/young adult’s author, I have to get it right. Booty used to mean pirate treasure, but I don’t think I should invite anyone to look at mine. Sick used to mean ill, now it also means cool. Except for when it means crazy. Don’t talk to me about crazy …

And what of all these acronyms that young people use for texting and social media? How can we keep up with those? A friend warned me to look out for my children typing ‘PIR’ as I approached – parent in room! Huh, we’re on to you, kids! This next bit makes me cringe, and I hope I never end up like this unfortunate woman. Apparently a lady of late middle age thought WTF meant ‘with the family’, and posted a happy snap on facebook titled ‘on holiday WTF’. Aargh!

I guess we need to keep up our eyes firmly on the hardcore hipsters with swag and big booties. In the meantime, thank god for the urban dictionary! http://www.urbandictionary.com/

And you?

What examples of word changes have you come across? Let me know in the comments section. Go on – share the love! Not in the 1960’s hippy sense, that is …

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Finding motivation to write

Stella

5 comments

11/06/2013

We’ve all been there. You get fired up and excited over an idea for a story. You sit at your computer and, in an all-consuming passion, bash out the first few pages. This is it, you say. The greatest story / article / book I’ve ever written! Yippee!

The next day, you write a few more pages. Still going strong, but perhaps without the same breathless excitement.

The day after that, maybe there’s a few less pages.

And even less the following day.

Before you know it, you start doing other things during your once-sacred writing time. Like dusting. Or eating chocolate (I know which I prefer!). Eventually it all comes grinding to a halt, leaving you feeling flat and uninspired and no longer motivated to write.

Hopefully it’s not the end of the dream forever – just a lull. So what can you do to fan those flames of excitement all over again?

Take a break

Sometimes lack of motivation comes from overdoing it at the start. It’s hard to keep up a breakneck momentum. Slow it down, take a break and eat that chocolate. Or better still, go for a walk and get some fresh air. While you stroll, let your mind play over your story idea. No pressure – just drifting. You might find yourself ready to have another go when you get back to your desk. If not, at least you had some healthy exercise!

Read something

Most writers are avid readers. If your writing is not inspiring you, try reading something by one of your favourite authors. It will reignite your interest, and remind you of why you wanted to write in the first place. If your story requires research, now’s the time to immerse yourself in it. It can get you back into the groove.

Write something else

Anything will do. Lack of motivation often stems from fear – ‘I really want to write, but I’m scared I can’t do it well enough, so I’ll just stop now.’ If this sounds like you, try writing something that is not earth-shatteringly important. Just fun. It might be about something happening in your life, something on the news, something you can see over the fence … I’m getting interested already!

Often in my workshops, I give my students writing prompts (you may remember I shared some of their responses in a previous blog). Prompts are a great way to get the creative juices flowing and overcome the fear that can strike when we look at a blank page.

The important things is to enjoy. However many reasons we have for wanting to write, surely enjoyment should be up there among the highest.

Fake it ’til you make it

Even if you’re not in the mood, tell yourself that you are. Slap on the facial expressions that go with the mood – that is, look alert and smile – and sit up straight, rather than slumping despondently over your desk. Psychologists tell us we can trick our brain into feeling a certain way by going through the physical motions. Give it a go, and most importantly, give it time to work. Don’t give up after a few self-conscious seconds!

Just do it!!

Most professional authors, myself included, laugh hollowly when asked about motivation. ‘What’s that?’ they ask, eyebrows raised. Yes, we do often feel motivated to write … but not all the time.

For me, motivation is highest when I’m planning a book or starting to write it, but then reality hits. This is going to be a lot of work! Hard work, at that. And there’s some dusting I’ve been meaning to do…

But then habit kicks in. This is my job and I have a deadline. Most people don’t feel overwhelmed by enthusiasm when they turn up at work, but they still manage to perform. So I sit at my desk and write. Most days the mood builds as I progress and get into the flow. Some days it doesn’t. It doesn’t really matter. I keep going regardless. The words keep coming, and the book gets written. If any bits feel a bit flat I go back and re-write them later on, when the hard part has already been done.

The trick is to make writing a habit. Part of your routine. Set yourself a goal – for instance, to write for an hour a day. Then don’t over-think it – just do it!

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3 writers’ takes on a writing prompt

Stella

6 comments

04/06/2013

I gave my workshop participants a writing prompt last weekend, and decided to share some of their responses. Prompts are a great way to stimulate story ideas and overcome writer’s block. I’m sharing them because it’s enlightening to read other writers’ takes on an idea – and also because they’re plain good fun! Here are three (very different) responses to the prompt, as well as my feedback as to why I think they work so well.

The prompt: The person I hate the most is coming for dinner. S/he doesn’t know how I feel. What shall I cook?

Response 1 – Patricia Nicholas

I always get myself into this situation with her. Saying yes, but meaning no. Nodding eagerly on the other end of the phone. Ignoring the tight knots that form in my stomach as soon I respond in the affirmative. Why do I do this to myself? And what shall I cook? What can I be bothered to cook?

‘Don’t do any of your posh fancy stuff!’ she always says, ‘you know me, cheap and cheerful.’

Sigh. So that’s plastic food with additives, chemicals, and absolutely no taste then. Served with a side order of greasy oven fries and a limp throwaway napkin to mop any drips up. Mustn’t challenge her tastebuds in any way. Keep it bland. Smother over differences and frustrations to keep the proverbial peace. What shall I cook? Same old, same old.
I really don’t know why I always do this to myself. Tolerate her company because that’s what everyone expects. I’m so good, so accommodating. But I hate her – hate her clothes which are always tatty bargain basement. Those awful trainers with the grass stains, she’s had them for decades. Then there’s her tacky obsession with fake nails. Did she really think I was impressed with the leopard print design she paraded last time? I just wish she’d better herself. Develop some taste. Step out of her polyester comfort zone. Go for risotto instead of Uncle Ben’s. Take a bite of focaccia dipped in fragrant olive oil, rather than a handful of peanuts. Caprini instead of stringy cheddar nonsense. Prosecco instead of – oh not again – Chardonnay.

The doorbell goes. She’s here. ‘How’s it going sis? What’s on the menu tonight? Hope it’s that buy one get 10 free offer I was telling you about?!’

‘Can’t you smell it?’ I reply. ‘It’s pizza, the frozen pizza offer you did indeed tell me about.’ The oven timer goes off. Time to eat.

Why I like it

Great opening and a snappy ending. The writing style is vivid, the tone is chatty, and the characters are beautifully portrayed. We can all relate!

Response 2 – Jill Sherrin

Now I’ll have to go out and get another bloody salmon cutlet.
I should’ve realised she’d come even if nothing was said. So typical.
She’s irritating me already …. before she’s even arrived!
I wonder if she really knows how all of her cousins feel about her?
I don’t need this when Mum’s so sick.

Why I like it

This is so tightly written, it has the feel of poetry and a taste of tragedy. It tells you a lot in such a small space, but makes you ask questions and want to know more.

Response 3 – Kate

‘Why don’t you eat your broccoli Paula? You know Lizzy is coming over for dinner tomorrow and she loves broccoli. She always finishes everything on her plate.’

Well, goodie for Lizzy! I think. Lizzy is my Dad’s new daughter. The one that came with the package when he left me and Mum and moved in with his girlfriend. I’ve never even met Lizzy, but I already know all about her. Lizzy always eats her broccoli, Lizzy just loves to go to ballet lessons, Lizzy never gets her clothes dirty or gets in trouble for getting into fights with the boys.

‘Aren’t you looking forward to meeting Lizzy?’ Dad asks. ‘I know she’s looking forward to meeting you. I’m sure you two will get on great.’

‘Can’t wait,’ I mutter as I try to force down some broccoli.

‘You should help me with the cooking,’ says Dad. ‘I’m sure Lizzy would really appreciate that. What will we make?’

How about broccoli, I think, since she likes it so much? And spinach purée and steak and kidney pie. Gross. I imagine the beautiful, blonde Lizzy gushing ‘Thanks so much for the broccoli, Bob! You know it’s my favourite!’ Perfect. Just perfect.

At ten past seven the following night, the doorbell rings. Dad kisses his girlfriend while I look away. Why does he always have to do that? He and Mum never kissed in front of me, and that was okay with me.

‘Paula, I’d like you to meet Lizzy,’ says Dad. Lizzy is wearing jeans and an old soccer shirt with a grass stain on the front. She looks like she’d rather be anywhere but here, and I smile at her in spite of myself.

‘What’s for dinner, Bob?’ she asks.

‘Steak and kidney pie with broccoli and spinach purée on the side!’ beams Dad.

Lizzy says nothing but widens her eyes. When Dad isn’t looking she mouths ‘broccoli?’ at me and wrinkles her nose. I find myself smiling again. You hate this girl. I remind myself sternly.

‘Soooo….’ I ask, ‘What do you want to do?’

‘Um, we could give the broccoli to the chooks and order a pizza,’ she suggests. This time I grin. Maybe Dad’s right. Maybe we will get on great after all.

Why I like it

What started as a one-line prompt has turned into a whole story – with a problem, a climax and a resolution. The writer’s voice appeals to young readers, who may relate to the experience only too well!

Invitation

Feel free to add your own take on the prompt, using the comments box. I’d love to see your responses!

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Avoid adverb overload

Stella

5 comments

28/05/2013

It’s a mistake most of us make: overusing adverbs in an attempt to make our writing sound better, slic Adverb on the 256 ker. It doesn’t work. Writing that suffers from adverb overload is often weak, verbose and hard to read. It tries too hard to impress. In the process, it loses the magic spell that a tightly written piece can cast on its readers. You’ve heard the expression ‘purple prose’? Adverbs are the key culprits!

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Even professional writers tend to stray down this dangerous road. However, they’re usually aware of it and manage to steer themselves out again before too much damage is done. So why do we do it?

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Maybe it’s the way we learn to write from a very young age. Teachers encourage us to broaden our vocabulary – a worthy goal, of course. But one that can lead to adverbs getting more than their fair share of big red ticks. And nothing is more rewarding to a budding writer than praise! Or maybe it’s insecurity. Maybe if I toss in some long words – like wistfully, hopelessly, recklessly – people will think I know what I’m talking about. They’ll think I can write. It doesn’t work this way. Let me show you why.

What are adverbs?

First a quick grammar refresher. Verbs are ‘doing words’. They convey action (glide, think, sneeze) and states of being (am, be, is, was, were). All sentences contain verbs, even this one word sentence: ‘Jump!’

Adverbs give you more information about the verb. How did he jump? When? To what extent? They are the words that often end in ‘ly’ – quickly, vigorously, suddenly. Writers tend to use them when they think a sentence is not clear enough. Take this example.

Jane walked to the door.

Hmm. This tells us who did what. But it doesn’t tell us how. Quick, let’s add an adverb!

Jane walked quickly to the door.

Jane walked softly to the door.

Jane walked aggressively to the door.

Sentences like these aren’t too bad in themselves. If the odd one sneaks into a good piece of writing it shouldn’t do much harm, but the real danger is overuse.

Jane walked quickly to the door, opened it tentatively, then slammed it angrily as she walked aggressively away.

Okay, it’s an extreme example, but you see what I mean! There are better, clearer ways to get your point across.

Use strong verbs instead

Rather than using wimpy adverbs, go for a strong verb. It says the same thing in less words (always a good thing), while adding far more information. Compare these with the above:

Jane darted to the door.

Jane tiptoed to the door.

Jane stomped to the door.

They tell us who did what, but they also tell us how. They paint a far more vivid picture, and give us a greater insight into Jane’s mindset.

Root out those pesky beasts!

I’m not saying don’t use adverbs at all. You probably noticed one snuck into my first paragraph (i.e. tightly) and I didn’t realise it myself until I re-read my post. Adverbs have their place – but that place is very limited. It’s their overuse that makes a piece of writing suffer.

Try this exercise. Pull out an electronic copy of something you’ve written. Do a search for the letters ‘ly’ – the signature tune of adverbs. How many hits do you get? If you consistently, achingly, lingeringly and longingly overuse adverbs, try smashing them with strong verbs instead!

Good writing habits

Stella

no comments

21/05/2013

When it comes to writing – like most things in life – practice makes perfect. Okay … maybe not perfect. That’s too much to expect and I doubt it exists anyway! But practice certainly makes us much better writers, and that’s enough to be getting on with.

So what are your writing habits? Do you write only when the mood hits and your muse is smiling? Or do you sit down, day after day, and produce?

There’s no doubt the first method can lead to greatly inspired and passionate work. The problem is, it may take forever to finish. You might not even get there. It’s hard to keep up a frenzy of excitement and if the all-consuming urge starts to dwindle, so does your writing.

The second method, however, will help you see the distance. Regular writing gets results, even if you’re not in the mood. Bit by bit, your skills improve. You will write that story or that book. Often motivation builds as you go and you’ll find yourself in the zone, even when you least expect it.

Here are some thoughts to help you develop good writing habits. Let me know if they work for you!

Find your writing space

This doesn’t have to be the proverbial attic overlooking a lake. Ideally, you will have your own space in which to write. A spare room or a quiet corner. It’s not crucial, but a dedicated space you use only for writing can help you feel focused when you go there. However, with laptops and tablet computers (or even pen and paper!) you can make any space your space.

Perhaps the most important consideration is noise. Some people need quiet. Some like to listen to music as they write, and find it inspires them. Others thrive in noisy environments, and do their best work in bustling cafes.

I must confess I need quiet. It can make things difficult at times – such as when the kids are home from school. Or when the dog next door won’t stop with that hysterical high-pitch bark … like now, for instance … But I can’t let that stop me. I do my best to block out distractions. If necessary, I get up and move – grumbling all the way, of course!

Work out your schedule

Because I’m a full-time writer, I basically write all day while my kids are at school. Admittedly, some of this time is spent stuffing around and making too many coffees, but I try not to overdo it. If I have a tight deadline (which is often) I’ll fit in some extra hours in the evenings or on weekends. When my children were very young, I’d get up at 4 am and do a few hours before they woke up. It’s great that writers have these options, but I suspect it has permanently screwed up my body clock. I usually wake around 5.30 now, like it or not. A 7 am wake-up is a luxurious sleep in…

Ask yourself how much time can you set aside for writing. An hour a day? Maybe two? Weekdays or weekends or both? Decide how much time you can dedicate, and how you can fit it in around your other commitments. Do you work best in the morning or at night? You might be able to get up a bit earlier or do some writing before bed – whenever your creative juices are most likely to flow.

Some people manage to write on the train or bus on the way to and from work. Others sneak in their writing fix during their lunch break. Parents of babies and toddlers have to be more flexible and write while their children sleep or nap.

Set your daily goals

Some writers set themselves time-based goals. That is, they will write for a set amount of time and then call it quits for the day. The next day, they pick up where they left off. Others set themselves a word goal. They won’t stop writing until they bash out 1000 words, for example, no matter how long it takes.

Again, decide what suits you best. Word goals are good, but some days it can take a very long time to reach that goal. If you have the time, that’s great, go for it. If you don’t, simply do the best with the time you have set. Don’t beat yourself up if some days are less productive than others. It’ll all balance out in the end. As long as you make writing a habit rather than a sporadic activity, you’ll reach your goals.

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5 reasons to be a writer

Stella

7 comments

14/05/2013

One of the first questions I ask at my writing workshops is: Why do you want to be a writer? The answers are as varied as the participants themselves, but I’ve found there are five replies that crop up again and again.

1. For the money!

This answer is relatively rare, but it does surface occasionally. Writing is by no means a get rich quick scheme. Indeed, many writers need to supplement their income by other means to enable them to continue getting the ‘writing fix’ they crave.

This doesn’t mean you can’t make a living out of writing. It can be very lucrative. Romance writers for Harlequin / Mills and Boon, for instance, make a good living out of their craft. But if you heart is not in your potential book, don’t go there! Readers – and editors – are quick to spot insincerity and the book is unlikely to see the light of day. You have to be a fan first, and a writer second.

2. Because I love reading

Loving reading certainly goes with the territory. It’s what ignites the flame in the first place. Writers are often compulsive readers. There’s no newspaper at the breakfast table, your eyes wander to the cereal box … you inexplicably become engrossed in the story of oats … Sound like you?

Maybe you want to giving something back to the book world. Maybe you want to write the story you’ve always wanted to read. These are good solid reasons for wanting to be a writer. Reading widely and consistently through varied genres will make your work more publishable. It’s a great starting point, but is it enough to help you go the distance?

3. I see it as my therapy

This is another great reason to write. It doesn’t matter whether you write for an audience or for yourself, putting your feelings in words can help you deal with life. It gives you the space and the freedom to deal with problems in a safe way, and helps you grow as a person.

By creating a character who faces similar problems, you can work through the issues and hopefully reach resolution or closure. The story can mimic your actual experiences, or you can tweak it in any direction that you like. Wish fulfillment is why many of us write, and why many of us read! Either way, writing gets the demons out of your head and onto the page where they belong.

This doesn’t only apply to fiction. One of my non-fiction books helped me though a rough time. My father died of cancer while I was pregnant, and I was in major denial. Soon after his death, an editor called and asked me to write a book for her. The title? What to do when someone dies. I couldn’t believe it! When Dad died I went through all the motions, but it still hadn’t sunk in. It was only when I wrote the book that it really hit me, and that was when I started to deal with it.

4. I want to share …

My experiences, my hopes, my dreams…

This is another great reason to write. The desire to communicate lies at the heart of writing. I believe it also lies at the heart of what it means to be human. No matter what we go through, we need to express it to others. We need to be understood, for big matters and for small. Even if it’s just the inane ‘isn’t it hot today’ with a stranger at the bus stop, we all crave to connect and share.

Books allow us to do this in a unique way. When you think about it, reading and writing are virtually forms of telepathy. We can share the innermost thoughts of people from other places, even other times, simply by looking at squiggles on paper! It’s truly amazing, and we, as writers, are privileged to be part of this.

5. I don’t know, I just can’t help myself!

This is the best reason to write – because you simply must. This is what keeps us pushing on. Despite the days when words flow like cement, despite the insecurities, and despite the rejection letters.

If I don’t write for a while, I start to feel itchy inside. If I ignore the feeling, it doesn’t go away. It gets worse. I try doing other things but nothing stops the itch. For instance, a few years ago I studied first year psychology out of interest. I loved it, but I kept finding myself saying ‘I could write a book about this!’ The demands of family meant I had no time to write as well as study. When I found myself getting thrilled over writing an essay, I knew something was wrong!

So let me know – why do YOU want to write? I’d love to know!

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