| What's Your Crutch? | | | | and they have easy recall. Of course, you know |
| Writing gurus always emphasize the use of action | | | | those words but while you're writing, you cannot get |
| words. They are right because the tool you use to | | | | these out of your frozen brain. That thesaurus can't |
| convey a thought or idea is words. Your words | | | | be a help if you don't know which word to choose to |
| should be able to create a picture in the mind's eye | | | | go well with your idea! It's easier with fountain pens. |
| or evoke or stir up feelings without those nasty lame | | | | You know which one has no scratch and which one |
| words. | | | | improves your long hand. |
| A struggling writer, aiming to get on the scene should | | | | Proofreading is another chore. After finishing an article |
| be more conscious of using action words and avoid | | | | review the whole thing from beginning to end; your |
| crutch words. Before the ink of your fountain pens | | | | mind sees what it likes to see so you miss those |
| dry up on your manuscripts, re-read your article and | | | | typos and misspelled words. Your computer's |
| catch the number of times you use these crutch | | | | Spellchecker is not reliable so don't bank on it. Read |
| words - am, is, was, were, be, been, have, had, and | | | | the whole article the way you hunt for bedbugs in a |
| if you are fond of will then expect the worst. Count | | | | dubious hotel room. Read slowly and be alert to |
| how often these words appear, beyond twenty, you | | | | typos and misspelled words. |
| are guilty as hell. | | | | Don't rush it. Take a break when done with an article. |
| Well, as a "hungry" writer you have to learn the | | | | Doodle with your fountain pens or take a walk. When |
| tricks of the trade and find your niche and avoid | | | | your mind has cleared up, go back to your computer |
| those crutch words. Steer clear of tedious verbs. Go | | | | screen and catch the small bad words. Oh, reading |
| for the jugular with action words. In time, you'll | | | | the article the next day can help too if you're not |
| improve and those fountain pens will be doing more | | | | meeting a deadline. You'll be amazed at the inanity of |
| work. | | | | your article and rewriting the lot improves the reading |
| Keep on reading and don't get discouraged by the | | | | side of it. |
| output of better writers or you'll lose steam | | | | Just to be sure, give it the once over before you |
| positioning yourself as better-fed writer. In time, | | | | email your obra maestro to a frustrated editor who |
| those fountain pens get their share of the limelight | | | | goes batty with your articles. Poor editor. Maybe you |
| when your manuscripts signed, sealed, and delivered | | | | should send her or him one of your fountain pens for |
| to demanding publishers are approved. | | | | all the troubles you heap on her/him. The poor editor |
| Other Writing Must Dos | | | | will be mollified or appeased with your sacrifice |
| Admit it. There are writers who have the right sauce | | | | offering, er guilt offering. |
| for their gander. They have lots of words in the bag | | | | |