We all know a little tip or trick for boosting the word-count or your flagging fingers.
What's yours?
Here's one of my tips, adapted from the 'said words' thread:
I like to vary my words for said to some degree, but you can just as easily use actions to show how the speech was said (and it gives you more words!) :D Then add a bit extra!
e.g.
"I can't believe you just said that," Tom grinned.
"I can't believe you just said that," Tom said, with a grin.
(3 extra words!)
"I can't believe you just said that," Tom said, with a grin, raising his eyebrows mockingly as he looked around at the group.
(14 extra words!)
Of course you can always change it in the edit, but it's quantity for now! :D
I'll post more tips later,
Tekiegirl :D
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NaNoWriMo 2009 Untitled:
NaNoWriMo 2008 Chosen: 66354 WON
44,378 / 50,000
Nov 2, 2009 - 02 40
Okay so I suppose this isn't really a tip so much as it is just what I have done personally,
I've tried to avoid phone calls between characters because there isn't much there in the way of words, it's would usually go something like this;
"Hello?" Jennie answered, breathlessly.
"Hello, my name is Carol and I am with Basildon Double Glazing, are you interested?" The woman, named Carol, replied cheerfully.
"So sorry." Jennie hung up, annoyed with the saleswoman.
In other words it's all description of voice and there isn't much to be said, where as if Carol had gone to Jennie's door then there would be alot more to describe, looks, smell, and so on.
Of course thats no reason to completely avoid phone calls, I think it's just easier to keep them to a minimum.
45,019 / 50,000
Nov 2, 2009 - 04 22
This was a criticism of a (judged) short story I wrote earlier his year - that it was too one-dimensional. The judge suggested I put myself in the situation, and describe what I saw, what I smelt, what I felt, etc etc. He said using some of the 5 senses brought more reality to the story.
it also adds words ;)
Gerald
----------Essex Writers Support group