Plain Vs Plane: Fun with Words

I have to start this post with the same disclaimer I’ve used before: I am not a grammarian. I make mistakes in my writing. I am always learning, growing and (hopefully) honing my craft.

That being said, I do take the time to look up a word if I’m not sure how to use it. When reading a popular fiction blog yesterday, I came across this sentence: 

(MC) felt as if she had been transported to the highest level of the physical plain. Eyes closed, she took a deep breath and considered the possibility that she may have crossed over into the spiritual plain. Intuitively, she knew she must understand how vibration is defined differently on the spiritual plain…

I said to myself – Oh no, not again. 

Homonyms are problematic for many writers. I wrote about some of the usual suspects in these posts: 

Common Words Writers and Bloggers Misuse 

Did that Pique, Peek or Peak Your Interest? 

Regarding plain or plane, here’s a refresher:

Plain: 

Simple, normal, basic 

I’m looking for a plain white t-shirt

Obvious, clear

It was in plain view

Flat, level

He lives near the salt plains of Utah

Plane:

An airplane

A flat or level surface

A carpenter’s tool

Level of existence, consciousness (see above)

It’s confusing because the words plain and plane sound alike. In fact, they both come from the Latin word planus which means flat or clear.

I always have to pause and think when I'm using affect or effect. What about you, are there certain words that trip you up? ____________________________________________________

This post is in participation with the Group Blogging Experience, and this week’s prompt is Oh no, not again. If you want to blog with us, go to the GBE2 Facebook page and request to join the group. Everyone is welcome.

French Words that Americans Use: Fun with Words

I've noticed many of my friends peppering their daily conversations with French words and phrases, sometimes unknowingly. I'm sure I do it too. C'est la vie.*

Hors D'oeuvres

Though often mocked and intentionally mispronounced, the French phrase hors d'oeuvre is commonly used by Americans. Translated, hors d'oeuvres means small portions of food served as an appetizer or offered at a cocktail party. If an invitation says 'heavy hors d'oeuvres' you know the party will have plenty to eat but you won't get a sit-down meal. 

Bon Voyage

Before leaving on a long trip you may hear the words bon voyage. Literally translated into the English language, this French phrase means 'good journey.' Bon voyage has been borrowed from the French and is often used by Americans to mean 'have a good trip'.

Déjà Vu

Déjà vu is the feeling of reliving a prior experience. It's a peculiar feeling of familiarity, though you are likely experiencing the event or circumstance for the first time. Déjà vu has become such a common term in the English language that it's hard to describe what it means without using the phrase déjà vu itself. Can you do it? Give it a try in the comments section.

Merci Beaucoup

Americans often use the French word merci or the French phrase merci beaucoup as a substitute for thank you. Merci translates to English as 'thank you' and the translation for merci beaucou' is 'thank you very much.'

Bon Appétit

The French phrase bon appétit is often said to one another before a meal. Bon appétit literally translates to 'good appetite' or 'hearty appetite'. Americans say bon appétit before eating as a way of saying 'enjoy your meal' or 'have a nice meal.'

*The literal translation for C'est la vie is 'it is life.' Many Americans use c'est la vie to mean 'that's life' or—if you want to use the Urban Dictionary as a reference—'oh well, $hit happens'.

For example-

Me: I can't believe I gained 3 pounds!

You: C'est la vie. Get over it.

Speaking of food (weren't we?!), I like my pie a la mode, s'il vous plait. 

 

Common Words Writers and Bloggers Misuse: Fun with Words

Disclaimer: I am not a grammarian. I make mistakes in my writing. I am always learning, growing and (hopefully) honing my craft.

I read a lot of blogs and see common words that even seasoned writers and bloggers misuse. In many cases, online writers and bloggers don’t have editors. We can self-publish with the push of a button. There is danger in that freedom; when words are repeatedly used incorrectly, a writer’s post or article loses credibility.

Homonyms are tricky. They are words that are spelled or pronounced the same way as one or more other words but have different meanings. If you’re writing and you’re unsure about the proper use of a word, take the time to look it up. If you’re in the flow and can’t be bothered, go back and edit before you publish. It matters.

Here are some of the worst offenders:

S is for Symbolism

Hi. Welcome to my S-post on the A-Z Blogging Challenge. If you came here to learn something today, you may want to move along.

Symbolism is not my strong-suit (apparently alliteration is, I can't stop myself... Alliteration: Why I Love It).

I enjoy good symbolism in literature. Here is a fine dictionary definition:

In writing, symbolism is the use of a word, a phrase, or a description, which represents a deeper meaning than the words themselves. This kind of extension of meaning can transform the written word into a very powerful instrument.

Indeed it can, but I suck at symbolism. At writing it. And sometimes at interpreting it. There are times when I don't get the cryptic references authors work into their stories. If the symbolism is fairly common, I'm on it. But if the representation is too subtle or vague it can pass right over my head.

In a writing group, we recently studied Kate Braverman's: Tall Tales from the Mekong Delta. It's a captivating and odd short story. After discussion, we determined that an entire character (one of only two) is symbolic. He (oops, I gave it away) isn't a real person but rather represents something else entirely. Bravo Kate.

Another example, I'm currently reading The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein (love it!). I'm trying to figure out what the stuffed zebra symbolizes. His meaning and purpose are not clear to me yet.

So what I'm saying is: I am no good at working good symbolism into my fiction. This is an area where I need to grow as a writer.  Can you help?

What are your favorite examples of symbolism in literature? If you're a fiction writer, do you work symbolism into your stories? Any tips, suggestions, observations?

P is for Paradox: What is the Difference Between a Paradox and an Oxymoron?

For those of you following along, you probably guessed that today I would write about paradox for the A-Z Blogging Challenge. A discussion of paradox naturally follows a post about oxymoron, which can be found here: O is for Oxymoron.

So, what is a paradox? What is the difference between a paradox and an oxymoron?

A paradox and an oxymoron are similar. A paradox is a statement or event that seems to contradict itself although it is, or can be, true. A paradoxical statement defies intuition.

Although there are no fast rules that distinguish between the two (several sources I referenced for this post consider the words paradox and oxymoron synonyms), there are discernible differences.

A paradox is a statement or even a paragraph that describes a contradiction whereas an oxymoron is a combination of contradictory terms, usually just two words (go here for a list of oxymoron examples).

One of my favorite literary examples of a paradox is from George Orwell’s Animal Farm: “All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others.”

Sources: Literary terms and definitions, DifferenceBetween.net, CliffNotes.com

O is for Oxymoron

With a definite maybe I agreed to participate in the A-Z Blogging Challenge. Surprisingly, I've kept up so far. I'm terribly pleased. And today marks another week and another string of alphabetic posts. I'm almost exactly where I need to be and when I make this O-post, I'll be right on track.

Did you guess what I'm writing about from the intro? There are 3 examples. Okay, the title of the post makes it painfully obvious but would you have guessed anyway? Can you find the examples?

Today's writerly word is oxymoron (plural, oxymora).

Oxymoron is a phrase in which two (or more) incongruous words are used in conjunction to highlight an apparent contradiction.  When used effectively, a well placed literary oxymoron reveals a deeper truth through it's contradiction.

Shakespeare was masterful in his use of oxymora. Examples include:

• Romeo & Juliet: sweet sorrow 
• A Midsummer Night's Dream: tragical mirth 
• Julius Caesar: fearful bravery

Some oxymora are so frequently used they become part of everyday language. Examples:

• Good grief
• Act natural
• Found missing
• Small crowd
• Pretty ugly
• Working vacation
• Clearly misunderstood

Yeah, I love a good oxymoron because, you know, I'm a sophisticated redneck.

PS. You may find this interesting: P is for Paradox: What is the Difference Between a Paradox and an Oxymoron?

Source: Literary Terms and Definitions 

N is for Neville Longbottom

You've got to admire J.K. Rowling's plucky Neville Longbottom. Of Harry Potter fame, Longbottom goes through a noble character arc, growing from a shy, clumsy boy into a brave Hogwarts defender.

Early in the Harry Potter books, Neville is plagued with misfortune. His hardships include:

• Displaying no magic skill as a kid (a Squib)
• Losing his toad Trevor on the train platform
• Nervously running across the Great Hall with the Sorting Hat on his head
• Being bullied by Peeves the Poltergist
• Melting Seamus Finnigan's cauldron
• Falling off his broom and breaking his wrist
• Receiving the Leg-Locker Curse from Draco Malfoy
• And more, but you get the picture

Yet, at birth, Neville was one of only two children referenced in Sybill Trelawney's prophecy about wizards with the power to stand against the Dark Lord. The other child was Harry Potter.

Check this out:
 
Lord Voldemornt: "You show spirit and bravery, and you come of noble stock. You will make a very valuable Death Eater. We need your kind, Neville Longbottom." 
Neville Longbottom:  "I'll join you when hell freezes over! Dumbledore's Army!"
— Lord Voldemort and Neville Longbottom at the Battle of Hogwarts

Not what you would expect from the introverted Longbottom. He artfully grew from a bumbling kid into a strong and confident wizard. 

True, the story arc is an important element of any plot. But a good character arc-for main characters as well as secondary characters-makes the difference between a series of happenings and a gripping human story. Neville Longbottom is a great example.

Sources: Harry Potter Wikia & the Harry Potter Books by J. K. Rowling   

K is for Kigo

I love to write haiku, the 3-line verse that contains five syllables in the first line, seven syllables in the second and five syllables in the third. A form of Japanese verse, haiku usually do not rhyme-and they pop out of my mouth like a Pez Dispenser.

My haiku habit is the subject of jokes among family and friends. I always write a haiku about whatever gift I receive and include it in the thank-you card, for fun. I've published plenty of haiku on the internet as well, but recently stopped. I think my haiku are more fun to write than than they are to read.

Still, this one gets decent page views: 
 Leftover Chocolate Easter Bunny - a Haiku Trio

And some homeschooling parents picked up this haiku riddle sheet to use in lesson plans:
Can you Guess the Animals in the Haiku Zoo?

Okay, enough self promotion. What does haiku (obviously an H-word) have to do with kigo (my K-word post for the A-Z Blogging Challenge)?

As I pondered what to write today, I played around on some of my favorite research sites. Stumbling onto the word kigo, I dug a bit deeper.

According to the Literary Terms and Definitions website:

Kigo is a traditional 'season-word' in Japanese haiku. The kigo must appear within a haiku's text or be strongly implied by imagery. These words place the haiku within a specific month or season, establishing an atmosphere for the poem while maintaining brevity.

Color me excited. That's fantastic! I did not know about kigo until today.

As buds strain to bloom 
Consciousness grows to include 
Word discovery

This is why I love being a writer. Always researching and always learning. 

Happy writing! Don't forget to include a kigo in your next haiku!

Dialect: Make it Authentic

Nothing irks me more than a non-southern writer trying to capture the 'real south' through the use of nontraditional dialect. Well, that's not fair. There are some non-southern writers who write southern dialect just fine, and plenty of southern writers who massacre it, so let me just say it's irksome to read inauthentic southern dialect regardless of who writes it. (Don't get me started on movie actors that butcher southern accents...!)

I'm easily irritated by this because I'm from the south. If the dialect isn't right, it rings untrue in my ear and it's hard to feel any connection to the story or the author. I quit caring about the character too, the story no longer matters. It's especially offensive if the character speaks like a cartoon character instead of a real person. If a writers judgements and prejudices shine through, forget it. I'm out.

According to this Literary Vocabulary website:

Dialect is the language of a particular district, class or group of persons. The term dialect encompasses the sounds, spelling, grammar and diction employed by a specific people as distinguished from other persons either geographically or socially. Dialect is a major technique of characterization that reveals the social or geographic status of character. 

Dialect is different from accent. Charles Carson, managing editor of the journal American Speech defines accent as referring to how a character pronounces their words. Whereas dialect is about what words are used, how the words are pronounced and how the sentences are constructed (emphasis is mine).

 Margaret Mitchell's use of dialect in Gone with the Wind has long been a topic of discussion. Mark Twain's Huckleberry Finn is a classic example of authentic dialect.
 
What are some of your favorite examples of dialect?

Sources embedded.
For more on characterization, check out this Character Chart for Fictional Characters.

Because I Have to Write about B

Day two of the A to Z Blogging Challenge and the letter for today is B. I'm writing about B today because I have to. Well, I don't have to, but I want to.

Yesterday's post was about alliteration (yes, that's what I chose to write about for the A day) so I'm going to write a few alliterative sentences with the letter B to satisfy today's requirements.

Betty bopped down the boulevard, jamming to the beat.

Break down the barriers that bind you.

Brave and honest men brought those horses here.

Okay, enough already. Somebody stop me before I scream...

Alliteration: Why I Love it

Today kicks off the Blogging A to Z challenge and I’m going to write about one of my favorite literary terms: alliteration.

As defined by the All American Glossary of Literary terms, alliteration is a pattern of sound that includes the repetition of consonant sounds. The repetition can be located at the beginning of successive words or inside the words.

I love alliteration because I listen to what I write in my head. As I write words I pronounce them silently. Maybe everybody does this? Not sure, but alliteration comes naturally to me because I like the rhythm it produces. I like the sound of alliteration.

One of my favorite examples of alliteration at the beginning of successive words is “The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation.” (Henry David Thoreau, Walden). Fantastic!

As illustrated in the example above, alliteration is often used by poets to emphasize a point or call attention to a phrase.

We took our cat on family vacation to the beach recently (yeah, our cat) and he had the time of his life. He had so much fun that I wrote this poem from his point of view, Cool Cat on Vacation. While I am by no means a poet, this is one of my favorite poems because of the alleration and because it’s about our cat.      

Assorted alliteration in a poem appeals to me on a primal level.

 Now you give it a try...