Sunday, January 7, 2007

Words Fell

So apparently, according to Ray Bradbury in the Art of Writing, I should be keeping a list of words that might serve as a starting point or inspiration for my writing. Here's what I've come across so far that I've enjoyed reading or saying, or wished I could say:


  • providence - n. a manifestation of divine care or direction
  • insipid - adj. without distinctive, interesting, or stimulating qualities; vapid
  • prodigious - adj. extraordinary in size, amount, extent, degree, force, etc.
  • alacrity - n. cheerful readiness, promptness, or willingness
  • despondent - adj. feeling or showing profound hopelessness, dejection, discouragement, or gloom
  • fait accompli - Fr. an accomplished fact; a thing already done
  • brevity - n. the quality of expressing much in few words: Brevity is the soul of wit.
  • formidable - adj. causing fear, apprehension, or dread
  • malaise - n. a vague or unfocused feeling of mental uneasiness, lethargy, or discomfort
  • contrition - n. sincere penitence or remorse
  • attrition - n. a reduction or decrease in number, size, or strength
  • diffident - adj. lacking confidence in one's own ability, worth, or fitness; timid, shy; restrained or reserved in manner, conduct, etc.

  • elusive
  • strained
  • estranged
  • contrary
  • monotonous
  • unabridged/abridged
  • impressive
  • deceitful
  • laud
  • brazen
  • calibrate
  • dignify

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