Writing Phrases and Words I Detest

[cromag]

The phrase that drives me into a rage is when I am told that a certain character's "world is turned upside down."

I can never bring myself to read past that point.

[E.M.DuBois]

Originally Posted by Dr. Drib

'World Building.'

It's use is the sign of a muddy mind. Or of a teen-aged face with pimples.

Why does it bring those images to your mind? "World Building" is simply creating the setting and how your story will fit into it. It's what all authors do, especially fantasy, sci-fi, and alternate-history writers.

[Dr. Drib]

Originally Posted by cromag

The phrase that drives me into a rage is when I am told that a certain character's "world is turned upside down."

I can never bring myself to read past that point.

Just turn the book upside down and everything should be fine.

[Dr. Drib]

Originally Posted by E.M.DuBois

Why does it bring those images to your mind? "World Building" is simply creating the setting and how your story will fit into it. It's what all authors do, especially fantasy, sci-fi, and alternate-history writers.

Oh, I know what the word means.

I just think it's one of those concepts wherein the signified is no longer associated with its signifier, mainly due to over-use brought about through lazy-thinking writers and critics.

It's a tired, trite, and clichéd way to describe something, like using a mirror to initiate the description of a character.

"The world-building in this story is really great...." [My unifinished review.]

[gmw]

Originally Posted by cromag

The phrase that drives me into a rage is when I am told that a certain character's "world is turned upside down."

I can never bring myself to read past that point.

Every rule must have its exception. In this case the exception comes in the form of an animated short film by the name of Harvie Krumpet. Now, when I hear that phrase, I automatically think of poor Harvie, whose world was turned upside down and inside out again.

[Cinisajoy]

Originally Posted by E.M.DuBois

Why does it bring those images to your mind? "World Building" is simply creating the setting and how your story will fit into it. It's what all authors do, especially fantasy, sci-fi, and alternate-history writers.

Do it but don't announce you are doing it.

[arjaybe]

"grab"

The character had to grab lunch on the way.
They were gunning up so he had to grab his pistol.
They grabbed a rental at the airport.
They didn't have time so they grabbed a quick kiss.

I don't mind the word when it's used to show haste, or to indicate the vernacular. I object when it's used too often.

[Cinisajoy]

Originally Posted by arjaybe

"grab"

The character had to grab lunch on the way.
They were gunning up so he had to grab his pistol.
They grabbed a rental at the airport.
They didn't have time so they grabbed a quick kiss.

I don't mind the word when it's used to show haste, or to indicate the vernacular. I object when it's used too often.

He grabbed her b u t would be appropriate. She then slapped his face or inserted her knee or elbow where it counts.

[Dr. Drib]

Originally Posted by Cinisajoy

He grabbed her b u t would be appropriate. She then slapped his face or inserted her knee or elbow where it counts.

He grabbed her what?





I insert letters into words. I don't know if I've ever inserted an elbow into a character. That sounds rather painful. For the character, I mean.

[Cinisajoy]

Originally Posted by Dr. Drib

He grabbed her what?





I insert letters into words. I don't know if I've ever inserted an elbow into a character. That sounds rather painful. For the character, I mean.

Obviously you have always been a good boy or you would have cringed at my elbow or knee comment.

[Hitch]

Originally Posted by Dr. Drib

He grabbed her what?

He grabbed her Krumpet, but she turned his world upside down when she told him that although she lusted after him, she'd been convicted of a crime she hadn't committed, trying to world-build for her destitute cousins, who needed money.

Sorry, it's just too compelling to pass up. I can't put it down!


Hitch

[Cinisajoy]

Originally Posted by Hitch

He grabbed her Krumpet, but she turned his world upside down when she told him that although she lusted after him, she'd been convicted of a crime she hadn't committed, trying to world-build for her destitute cousins, who needed money.

Sorry, it's just too compelling to pass up. I can't put it down!


Hitch

Have you been trolling my Facebook page?

[Deskisamess]

Is Krumpet the name of her dog or something? Why is it capitalized?

(I didn't say "cat" on purpose. It would have been way too easy.)

[Hitch]

Originally Posted by Deskisamess

Is Krumpet the name of her dog or something? Why is it capitalized?

(I didn't say "cat" on purpose. It would have been way too easy.)

GMW brought up Harvie Krumpet. As I am homaging all the dreck here, least I could do was capitalize the K.

Hitch

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Hitch

Mother of God.

My favorite review was the guy who posted a 2 star review, complaining that after spending his money, he still doesn't know how to moon people. Priceless.

Hitch

I like this one:

Moon People has reshaped my literary perceptions. After reading the heroic story of Captain David Braymer, 1st Science Officer of the space ship USS Lunar Base One, I feel as if I have been unbound from the restraints put in place by a dozen English teachers. "Amazing", I said to myself, when I realized the linguistic flexibility that comes from releasing character speech from its quotation marks. There is a certain joy that comes with exercising the freedom to end a sentence on any punctuation, even a comma. Question marks needn't be for interrogative statements! Must we bind every interjection to an exclamation point?