Shari Lopatin

Writer. Author. Storyteller.

Become a Better Writer with This Tip

WordsI can’t take credit for this; I saw it in a PR Daily article, “The 7 traits of great writers.” But what I read was absolutely ingenious.

Specifically, number two on the list:

2. You collect words.

Great writers collect words with the intent of using them later. I keep a running list of my favorite words in the notes feature on my cell phone.

In essence, make your own thesaurus.

Like seriously, how brilliant is that? Think about this for a moment. How many times have you read an article or short story, or heard a newscast, or listened to a friend … when you thought, “Wow, that’s a really great word.”

However, by the time you sit down to type your next masterpiece, the word has slipped from your mind.

Yet, developing a running list of these words—I can only imagine how much more lively, more engaging, this would make our writing.

Why don’t YOU help get this started? Comment and list your favorite 2-3 words. Let’s start a list right here!

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Special note: I am currently in the process of revamping the feel of my blog. I am awaiting a few things before launching a completely new platform, so this may still take a couple of more weeks. I’ll announce the new version after it’s officially launched. However, if you begin seeing small changes here or there, you’ll know why.  

Shari Lopatin

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5 responses to “Become a Better Writer with This Tip”

  1. Tom Elias Avatar
    Tom Elias

    Amazing blog. Love the makover. Keep writing, it’s too much fun not to.

    Reply
    1. Shari Lopatin Avatar
      Shari Lopatin

      Thank you, Tom! Oh, the writing is going to get more … much, much more. 🙂

      Hope you’ll stick around for it, so I can see your name pop up on the comments every now and then! Totally agree with you, writing is way too much fun NOT to write.

      Reply
  2. Lynette Benton (@LynetteBenton) Avatar
    Lynette Benton (@LynetteBenton)

    Hi Shari:

    A writer in one of my classes suggests that as we write, we try to use “juicy words.” So I gave that assignment to the other students in the class. We had a ball with it.

    I’ve been leaning towards “bludgeon” in my own nonfiction writing, as in needing one in order to get certain ideas and opinions across to adversaries. I like “carapace,” “churlish,” “chilling,” and “luckless,” too.

    P.S. I keep a list of “good words” on my computer for eventual use.

    Reply
  3. Caryn Avatar
    Caryn

    That is a great idea, thanks for sharing the tip and the article. A word I have always liked is “frenetic.” It has just always painted more of a picture for me than “frantic” or “hectic.” I also love “penultimate.” I have no explanation as to why, I just prefer it to “next to last”!

    Reply
    1. Shari Lopatin: Rogue Writer Avatar
      Shari Lopatin: Rogue Writer

      Those are AWESOME words, Caryn! I do believe I will start my list with them. 😉 Thanks for sharing! I’ve always liked the word “aromatic.”

      Reply

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