Utilized Vocabulary

[Michael Colton]

I am wondering what your thoughts are on vocabulary? You can stop at that sentence for the tl;dr version. But more specifically, developing a wide and utilized vocabulary. I do not have a poor vocabulary, but I find myself in a fairly narrow style as far as the words I instinctively or habitually use. By that I mean I have a very thematic vocabulary. It is non-descriptive, academic, stilted, and dry. When I read the writing of others that have a much more varied style, I of course know what the words mean and I can appreciate their usage. But I seem to be at a loss for how to develop my own 'natural' use of words.

I have tried the standard suggestions such as following 'word of the day' sites, using those words in a sentence, reading a wide variety of styles, etc. Those suggestions seem to work well for someone who is attempting to be introduced to new words instead of trying to develop a different style or habitual use of words.

Thoughts?

 

[Void]

It's an interesting problem!
I tend to do something similar. In much the same way that I have a wardrobe full of clothes but tend to rotate the same seven outfits every week, I habitually reuse words until they're tired and threadbare (just like my clothes!).

One thing that I have found to be effective in bringing in new and interesting (I hope) ways to get my point across, is to dabble in different genres and perspectives. I find that different genres have their own, expected, lexical and semantic fields which I can fall into quite easily for a short piece of exercise writing, which proves that I am able to find different words to use- I just need to apply it (where appropriate!) to my main wip!

 

[Michael Colton]

One thing that I have found to be effective in bringing in new and interesting (I hope) ways to get my point across, is to dabble in different genres and perspectives. I find that different genres have their own, expected, lexical and semantic fields which I can fall into quite easily for a short piece of exercise writing, which proves that I am able to find different words to use- I just need to apply it (where appropriate!) to my main wip!

I have attempted something a bit similar, but it either came out as it always does or it felt (and read as) forced. My use of words and style is just so . . . boring. And when I have tried to force myself to adapt, it is obvious that I am 'trying too hard.' It reads as if someone edited the sentences by replacing words with more 'interesting' ones.

 

[Void]

^ that sounds as though you're being super harsh on yourself!
Perhaps the issue isn't vocabulary, some genuinely thought-provoking writers (such as Orwell) have deliberately used simple, straight-forward, unembellished language to tell incredibly powerful stories! Maybe it's not that your style or vocab is boring, but that your work doesn't need bells and whistles to speak for itself? Of course, having not read your work, do feel free to tell me that I'm way off the mark!

 

[Jo Zebedee]

Good betas! They tend to tell me if I get a bit repetitive. (Mouths in tight lines is one I use a lot, apparently.) and a bit of distance - then I normally pick up some myself. And, hatefully, slow reviews of sections asking if something could be just a bit stronger or if it's a place for quick flow and a nice, simple section.

I'm in the middle of one of those reviews at the moment. It's taken weeks and weeks. Single paragraphs can take an hour. Heck, single sentences need looked at six times in a row. And in that edit the language becomes richer, for me, takes on more of a style. So, perhaps, give yourself time.

 

[Michael Colton]

^ that sounds as though you're being super harsh on yourself!
Perhaps the issue isn't vocabulary, some genuinely thought-provoking writers (such as Orwell) have deliberately used simple, straight-forward, unembellished language to tell incredibly powerful stories! Maybe it's not that your style or vocab is boring, but that your work doesn't need bells and whistles to speak for itself? Of course, having not read your work, do feel free to tell me that I'm way off the mark!

It may be the case that I do have a style and am simply misreading it. I am not sure how to tell if that is the case. I think part of the issue may be that I quite love near-florid writing styles even though I do not write that way myself. Or perhaps I simply do not have a style or voice yet.

 

[Michael Colton]

Good betas! They tend to tell me if I get a bit repetitive. (Mouths in tight lines is one I use a lot, apparently.) and a bit of distance - then I normally pick up some myself. And, hatefully, slow reviews of sections asking if something could be just a bit stronger or if it's a place for quick flow and a nice, simple section.

I'm in the middle of one of those reviews at the moment. It's taken weeks and weeks. Single paragraphs can take an hour. Heck, single sentences need looked at six times in a row. And in that edit the language becomes richer, for me, takes on more of a style. So, perhaps, give yourself time.

This makes me think that I need to stop wringing my hands so much and just write more - I do not think I have anything that is even close to deserving that level of review yet.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

It may be the case that I do have a style and am simply misreading it. I am not sure how to tell if that is the case. I think part of the issue may be that I quite love near-florid writing styles even though I do not write that way myself. Or perhaps I simply do not have a style or voice yet.

Actually, I love reading descriptive stuff but write terse stuff. I couldn't write, for instance, Captain Corelli's that is so rich. But I utterly love it. When you write more you'll find a style and it might surprise you what it is!

 

[Michael Colton]

Actually, I love reading descriptive stuff but write terse stuff. I couldn't write, for instance, Captain Corelli's that is so rich. But I utterly love it. When you write more you'll find a style and it might surprise you what it is!

Perhaps I am just over-thinking things, as usual.

 

[FibonacciEddie]

I'd agree that trying to write something (just a few hundred words) in a totally different style will help to develop vocabulary ... however ... it is worth looking back at your writing and deciding if there is a problem in the first place. Not ever writer needs a wide range of vocabulary, some writers will differentiate themselves in another way.

Obviously, if you have had complaints then it's worth being reflective, but I'd wouldn't try to spice it up for the sake of it ...

My particular failing is during table conversations I really over-use "leaned forward" as an action tag precursor to dialogue.
... or is is leant forward ... staring at the words now ... they're jumping about again

 

[tinkerdan]

I think the best thing you can do is to just write and look for repetition. If you have to: then look for replacement words, but it is better if you might already know a better word to use there.

Yes: it might feel forced if you try to use too many words that you had to look up in the dictionary or thesaurus.

Oddly if your style looks to alter a bit sometime people think you've force the writing.

I recall one critique, of a sample of mine, to be that the character sounded forced like Anime. When I asked just what [force Anime]was they had no answer. I think what it was ; was the dialogue for that character did not reflect my style and looked forced. [Then their prejudice against Anime kicked in: maybe.]

So there is that to watch. But as has been mentioned good writing and spectacular vocabulary are not necessarily linked.

I did once create a character that was supposed to be exceptionally bright and had to create a larger vocabulary for her, but I tried to stick with what I know.