May is named for the Greek goddess Maia, who was believed to influence growth and was known as a nurturer. In the theme of the month, I’ll look at four other words, with an otherworldly connotation, that derive from Greek mythology. First up is echo. While no longer capitalized, the word comes from the…
Category: Writing Wrongs: Essays on Language
This blog is an opportunity to discuss language – its usage, its limitations, and its beauty—through an array of shorter and longer essays.
#Writing Prompt: The Big D
March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. This month is all about scenes that could be filled with anger or sensible adults talking something out. You decide! This time, there’s no working it out. It’s time for the Big D. Some people divorce with such panache it gives you faith…
Otherworldly Words: Harpy
I’m continuing to look at words that cast women in a less than flattering light. The next word on my list is harpy. In Greek mythology, the harpy was a ravenous, vicious creature with a bird’s body and a woman’s head. Or, as some would have you believe, the definition of a woman, as…
#Writing Prompt: The Big Flirt
March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. This month is all about scenes that could be filled with anger or sensible adults talking something out. You decide! Up Next: Most relationships can handle a little flirting, but when your paramour gives all of his or her attention to someone for an…
#Writing Prompt: It Is Better to Give, Than To Take
March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. This month is all about scenes that could be filled with anger or sensible adults talking something out. You decide! Up Next: Relationships are about give and take, but one of your characters is better at the latter. How does s/he and his/her mate work…
#Writing Prompt: It Didn’t Stay in Vegas
March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. This month is all about scenes that could be filled with anger or sensible adults talking something out. You decide! Up First: What happened in Vegas didn’t stay in Vegas…and now your character has to explain how s/he caught an STD. How does…
Otherworldly Words: Amaranthine
Finishing up February is amaranthine. This adjective lends a beautiful, ethereal feel to the concept of endless time. Amaranthine is derived from the myth of the amaranth, the legendary undying flower. Of course, amaranth is a real family of flowers, too, and a grain alternative. All this month, I have introduced and discussed words dealing…
#Writing Prompt: Copy cat
This month’s writing prompt is all about lies! Characters are stretching the truth or avoiding it all together. When, how often, how good they are at it, and what they lie about can tell us about our characters — and our character’s character. Perhaps you even have an unreliable narrator on your hands. Up next: Copy…
#Writing Prompt: Lying like a dog
This month’s writing prompt is all about lies! Characters are stretching the truth or avoiding it all together. When, how often, how good they are at it, and what they lie about can tell us about our characters — and our character’s character. Perhaps you even have an unreliable narrator on your hands. Up this week:…
#Writing Prompt: Stretching Your Credentials
This month’s writing prompt is all about lies! Characters are stretching the truth or avoiding it all together. When, how often, how good they are at it, and what they lie about can tell us about our characters — and our character’s character. Perhaps you even have an unreliable narrator on your hands. This week:…
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