“If we look at the HHP for an NPD that’s driving NR at scale by the time our basis points will have doubled down…”
Alex Normanton
“I don’t know what the Sam Hill you’re talking about. I’m writing a novel here.”
Nancy Rue
I don’t know when it happened, but somehow the language that truly expresses our creativity and the artistry of the writerly life has been hijacked by capitalism.
Yikes! Did I just say that? I don’t usually make societal statements, but I kind of have to in this situation. It doesn’t mean making money is a “bad” thing. It’s an absolute necessity if we want to, I don’t know… eat!
What it does mean is that if while we’re trying to create the best that is in us we’re thinking about the financial rewards we hope to earn from it, we’re shooting ourselves in the proverbial foot.
It’s been my experience that the words we choose to talk about our writing and ourselves as writers go a long way toward shifting the vibe back to creativity and art and away from business.
It means shaping our own writerly vocabulary.
So… I’ll list some non-writerly words and terms and offer a lexicon of replacements. I hope more will come to you as you peruse the following. I know that will happen because, y’know, you’re a writer!
Words that come to us compliments of the business world
| Not This | This! |
| goals | intentions |
| project | creative pursuit or sacred focus |
| self-published | independent |
| career | writerly life |
| brand | quiddity |
| schedule/routine | individual rhythm/daily round |
Words from the publishing world that have us quaking in our pumps
| Not This | This! |
| rejected | declined |
| platform | umbrella |
| deadline | soft projection |
| marketing | reaching your audience |
| editing | creative revising |
Words we hear among writers
(many of whom are only repeating what they’ve heard)
| Not This | This! |
| theme | through line |
| planner | intentional writer |
| pantser | intuitive writer |
| plantser | fluid writer |
| critique group | creative support group |
| discipline | practice |
| writer’s block | pondering time |
Valid words that could use a little softening
| Not This | This! |
| plotting | shaping or playing |
| planning | designing |
| working | creating |
| researching | exploring |
Words/terms that should never cross our lips as writers
- trends
- social media numbers
- aspiring author (you are already an author!!!)
What’s YOUR lexicon?
Feel free to adopt this official Scribbling Women vocabulary. Chances are, though, being the imaginative creature you are, you’ve already come up with some of your own. If so, do share that, yes?
Not This | This!
For all of us
May all our “should” be “shalls.”
May all our “obligations” be acts of love.
May our “anxieties” be “signs”: to slow down and listen to ourselves. And to the words we choose.
Until next time, Scribblies,
Scribble On!
(For an in-depth look at the above, check out this week’s Podcast, #27.)
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