Vocabulary, there I typed it. I'm not afraid of a little thing like words. Usually I even like them. But, that word, it's kind of crafty. It's misleading too. How can one word really speak for all the words in a language?

How is your vocabulary? Getting rusty since school days where you had to look up all the words you didn't already know? We all get a bit lazy about that. You read a word and take for granted that it means what it seems to mean from the sentence around it. But, you're assuming the original writer really knew. What if they didn't brush up on their vocabulary either?

I'm not saying to get into that word a day deal. I don't think that's really useful. Be selective, learn words you will actually have a use for. Chances are you'll remember them better than some random word that just collects a lot of dust in your brain.

Now, if you had to look up vocabulary... maybe there is a night school course still open for you...

Don't get into those stuffy words whose only purpose is to blow hot air and make the writing seem full of itself. Don't confuse your readers but don't be afraid to pull out a good word every now and then. There are some really delicious old fashioned words out there as well as some trendy new words. Still, your first priority is communication and clarity is essential.

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Confused Ecumenical Offspring http://www.backwash.com/content.php?jouid=5920

Engaging in self publishing her own book. Read her column about making the decision and keep track of how things go for her.