tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post968816835166338690..comments2024-03-29T03:30:18.368-06:00Comments on Blood-Red Pencil: Grammar ABCs: X Marks the Spot, a PlaceholderDanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14471919576687777886noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-31238689833291245172013-11-05T15:09:04.420-07:002013-11-05T15:09:04.420-07:00The title of this article made me laugh. I'm g...The title of this article made me laugh. I'm guilty of littering my manuscripts with X's. I know if I can't find the word right away no amount of struggle will make it come. I just wait until the next morning and all of a sudden the words magically appears in my mind when I reread the section.Kelly Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05864393063155941257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-39015220380618766642013-11-05T13:18:52.327-07:002013-11-05T13:18:52.327-07:00This is exactly what I do -- easy to search for, a...This is exactly what I do -- easy to search for, and very little chance they'll slip by me visually in future drafts. Love it!Sarah Kolb-Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17124199628559171947noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-84007196703925199152013-11-05T13:06:37.855-07:002013-11-05T13:06:37.855-07:00This will reveal my inner school geek but I use fi...This will reveal my inner school geek but I use fill in the ______ . I always loved test-taking and this replicates the experience and makes me smile. I figure it's quicker than setting up a multiple choice answer. ;)Kathryn Crafthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08371458857187160425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-69882532789326146792013-11-05T13:03:32.552-07:002013-11-05T13:03:32.552-07:00Christopher that one had me laughing out loud! Hah...Christopher that one had me laughing out loud! Hahaha!!Kathryn Crafthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08371458857187160425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-81998572239192847172013-11-05T08:21:23.750-07:002013-11-05T08:21:23.750-07:00Very good advice. I tend to insert a word that fit...Very good advice. I tend to insert a word that fits, but is not the one I'm trying to think of. I like the idea of inserting XXX instead. Easy to search and replace and I can keep writing and come back later.Helen Gingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-86440799585674779922013-11-05T07:40:47.380-07:002013-11-05T07:40:47.380-07:00I just make up a word that spellcheck won't un...I just make up a word that spellcheck won't understand. For instance one of my early words was squertyfrompsledoolia, bit long but as I had just begun to write it didn't matter, proof reading would catch this when time was more available.<br />Now I just rattle of a few random characters, wrffr.Alex Willishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17205088731639162798noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-2300621807265190342013-11-05T04:50:03.973-07:002013-11-05T04:50:03.973-07:00Sounds like a good idea. Think I'll start us...Sounds like a good idea. Think I'll start using XXX when I'm at a loss for words!Janethttp://creativewritingintheblackberrypatch.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-64279420363350628062013-11-04T23:14:58.372-07:002013-11-04T23:14:58.372-07:00Yes, I use xxx's too and highlight in yellow.Yes, I use xxx's too and highlight in yellow.Heidiwriterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02593338979995203659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-35248046468762670002013-11-04T23:14:26.192-07:002013-11-04T23:14:26.192-07:00LOL Christopher! But at least you have the 325 pag...LOL Christopher! But at least you have the 325 pages!Heidiwriterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02593338979995203659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-83532959049466713242013-11-04T20:22:25.594-07:002013-11-04T20:22:25.594-07:00I use [XXX] - easy to search for, and it's not...I use [XXX] - easy to search for, and it's not productive for me to spend time searching for the right adjective -- or worse -- a metaphor or simile. Plenty of time to strengthen the manuscript on the next read-through. I use my [XXX] a LOT when I introduce a new character and can't come up with a good name for him/her.<br />Terry Odellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610682530545306687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-84801601002230132872013-11-04T18:07:03.452-07:002013-11-04T18:07:03.452-07:00This is what I need to do. I can spend hours somet...This is what I need to do. I can spend hours sometimes looking for just the right word or doing other research to make sure I've described something accurately - yesterday I was watching Youtube videos on how to nock an arrow. Placeholders will drive my inner editor mad, but maybe that's a good thing.Elle Carter Nealhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02266309723919011181noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-18239646263965197452013-11-04T12:56:49.619-07:002013-11-04T12:56:49.619-07:00I've never used one but sounds like a great id...I've never used one but sounds like a great idea!<br /><br /><a href="http://marymontaguesikes.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Mary Montague Sikes</a>Notes Along the Way with Mary Montague Sikeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17417679983279135001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-37701811224747761212013-11-04T12:42:13.760-07:002013-11-04T12:42:13.760-07:00I do placeholders a lot, often just a question mar...I do placeholders a lot, often just a question mark that I then highlight so I can make sure I notice it when I am doing another draft of that scene or that chapter. Maryannwriteshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09479027709233807149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-59096085525536526682013-11-04T11:11:35.706-07:002013-11-04T11:11:35.706-07:00Great post this early into NaNoWriMo, Heidi. Thank...Great post this early into NaNoWriMo, Heidi. Thanks!Danihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14471919576687777886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-13040060405239063752013-11-04T10:50:53.052-07:002013-11-04T10:50:53.052-07:00Yes, I use placeholders. Bless those xxx's.Yes, I use placeholders. Bless those xxx's. Elspeth Futcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10330102545384369360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-91915673202457648502013-11-04T09:13:59.499-07:002013-11-04T09:13:59.499-07:00This is a great post, Heidi. Nothing derails sudde...This is a great post, Heidi. Nothing derails sudden inspiration or writing on a roll more effectively than a side trip to the Internet to seek that elusive word, only to find yourself headed down a garden path toward a topic that has absolutely nothing to do with your story — or your inspiration. Placeholders, here I come!Linda Lanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16056682992943171805noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-37771329920071893862013-11-04T08:49:05.851-07:002013-11-04T08:49:05.851-07:00I use placeholders, but don't have any set one...I use placeholders, but don't have any set ones. I just put an appropriate word or phrase in brackets so I'll recognise it when I start editing. They're a great way to prevent the prevarication that can so easily result from starting an online (or even a printed book) search for le mot juste.stuartaken.nethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05695584662320617659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-57138969702000507652013-11-04T08:35:43.584-07:002013-11-04T08:35:43.584-07:00Yes ... unfortunately, my current WIP has 5 pages ...Yes ... unfortunately, my current WIP has 5 pages of content and 320 pages of placeholders.Christopher Hudsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03667548312923348614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-19876520925188748662013-11-04T06:52:55.276-07:002013-11-04T06:52:55.276-07:00I use this technique liberally in my "bare bo...I use this technique liberally in my "bare bones" drafts.I try to get the scenes down without worrying about details. If the major focus of the scene needs to be cut, then I haven't wasted a lot of time finding the perfect words. I use (insert response here), (insert tag here), (insert description here) (insert name of place here) or (how did that work?). After my initial frame is in place and solid, I take time crafting the fun parts like character and setting descriptions, first and last lines, etc. It helps me avoid repetitive actions, emotional responses, and descriptions.Diana Hurwitzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16386128629422688898noreply@blogger.com