Question

quick book writing question.
I'll throw out a medal to the first and nicest person haha ^.^

I'm writing my book right now and I realize I don't use nice big fancy words. :/ I kinda feel like a bad writer. I'm not good with big words which is why I excluded them.
What do you guys think?
Should big words be necessary?
Would you like to read a sample of my book?
Let me know guys! :]

Answer 1

@Shards-of-a-Soul

Answer 2

I'd be glad to read a sample of your book and provide critique if needed.

Large words, while aren't exactly necessary, stand out to many readers. My best advice is to use them in moderation, especially if they don't come to you naturally. Make sure you understand the word you're using before you just throw it in there for the sake of it.

Answer 3

Just use the big words when you're describing like a scene where something big or some action is happening. Don't overuse them, but still use them

Answer 4

Big words do show intelligence, but make sure you are not just finding synonyms for words you have already used. Though words may mean the same thing, they may be used in completely different context. You also do not want to overuse them, but a substituted appropriated can make a book from great to amazing. I hope this helped you! Best of luck! And I would really like to read a sample. Shoot me a private message and I will send you my e-mail.

Answer 5

I guess this really depends on what you mean by 'big'. I honestly wouldn't suggest using literally big words, at least very often, as they can be just a hassle, for both the writer and reader. I mean, there are 'fancier' words that can mean the same thing, but they aren't necessarily big. As a random example, servant and pawn. I'm sure your first thought was that 'pawn' sounded more fancy and 'big', yet it's the shorter of the two. Also if you use these 'small big' words well, it can really help the flow of the narrative, whether it's first or third person.

Another thing to keep in mind is that no two words have exactly the same meaning. As I said above, servant and pawn basically mean the same thing, and are considered synonyms, but aren't exactly the same. A 'pawn' suggests more of an unknowing state, or at least more to it than they know, that they're being played, ('Played' actually being where pawn originated) while servant is basically a nicer way of saying slave, but again, even those two don't mean exactly the same.

I guess it basically just comes down to simply managing how often you use them, and in what way. Oh and don't be afraid to re-write something if it seems dull. I've lost track of how many times I've re-written my first chapter because it was so bad.


I just realized how odd that choice of a word was. It was in the title of the newest chapter in my book so that's why I thought of it, but still.

One of those awkward moments I'll always remember and cherish...
/\
I
I
I

Another example of a 'small big' word.

Answer 6

Oh I forgot to mention, I would like to read a part of your book, even if I know literally nothing about it.

Answer 7

I would love to read your book!😊 and also I think big words are necessary to make it interesting for the readers and also it would not be boring

Answer 8

@jakeenglish Hi Jake! Thanks for replying :]
I will be posting the sample here in a few hours just want to go over some things and it'll all be set so I can hear opinions and hopefully gain an audience that's not my friends and family lol.
That's some really great advice! I have a website that not only tells me the definition of the word but also its synonyms. :]

Answer 9

@MysticalFlames Hi there! Thanks for replying :]
That's really good advice! I thought about that too cause describing a scenery or action scene always sounds better to me with formal big words.

Answer 10

@AndrewIsHere Hi Andrew! Thanks for replying! :]
Hm.. yeah I know which is why I feel bad because if I don't use big words I don't feel intelligent :[ but lol totally off topic let's get back into it. Yup! I do know that. I have a site that gives me the definitions of words as well as the definitions of synonyms and this helps me on how to use them in a sentence. Your response did help, thanks a bunch.
I will be posting my sample here. Its only a first draft so I am not afraid to post it online.. I am probably going to change most things later on anyway lol xD.

Answer 11

@Shards-of-a-Soul Hi!! Thanks for replying, I love conversing with you about writing :]
Oh my! I didn't even have that in mind but yeah that's a good point. Pawn does seem like a big word but it is truly small but it has a fancy meaning I suppose.
Yes that's a very tricky thing for me. Though some words can mean the same thing or have the same context I always struggle to use the right one but I found an awesome website that gives me the definition of a word as well as its synonyms so it makes it easier for me to know which word to use.
Haha thanks! I always rewrite xD like none stop. Which is why I usually have 3 drafts or more before my final one O.O.
Thanks! I will be posting it in a few hours just trying to get some things done and finished so I can then post the sample. Can't wait to hear what you think. :]

Answer 12

@xesylady Hi there! Thanks for replying! :]
I agree and disagree. I once read a book with big words and I almost fell asleep. It was so boring but then this other book which used both big and small words was far more interesting. Then again big words add interest. I guess it depends on the plot of the story too.
I will be posting my sample soon! :]

Answer 13

Honestly, I think that big words don't have to be necessary. If you do not wish to use them, then don't. Any peice of literature should be written however the writer feels it should be. Sometimes simplicity can be just as descriptive. Yes, big words add interest and give a more in-depth picture to the reader, but simplistic pictures work just as well without over exaggerating and they are more relateable to everyday scenes. By the way, I would love to read a sample of your work @lostintime.

Answer 14

@Xbeast Hi there! Thank you for replying. :]
That really helped! Will take your advice into account!
Also was going to post it yesterday but I was working on school and then fell asleep.
Will tag you once I post it, hopefully today! :]