Writing advice from Humpty Dumpty by way of the "Through the Looking Glass."

"When I use a word." Humpty Dumpy said, in a rather a scornful tone," it means just what I choose it to mean- neither more nor less"

Writers they can use words inventively and even make up words, but only if they have command over their prose. Wrangling words means knowing their current means, how context can change meaning, (think-gay) as well how they sound so that reading flows. Although science fiction and fantasy writers often make up words, they still have to worry about how they sound and fit in the worlds they create.

Humpty Dumpty on about words: "They've a temper, some of them - particularly verbs: they're proudly - adjectives you can anything with,but not verbs-however I can manage the whole lot of them!"

Yes, verbs are exacting, that is the action ones. Passive verbs should be left in first drafts and replaced. Action verbs (are you walking, running, skipping?) puts the reader into the story. Reliance on easy adjectives and especially adverbs puts flab on your writing. Instead look past the easy to find the unique phasing that will make your writing memorable.

Lately I've been reading children's books. Besides all the Oz books that come my way, I found Hugh Lofting's Doctor Dolittle on the Moon. As a child I wanted to read the book but my library didn't have it. And yes, I enjoyed it. And no, I'm not saying how long I've waited to read to the book.

Why read children's books?

Besides being fast, fun reads, children's books remind writers what clear, streamlined writing is and sweeps away the clutter of convoluted sentences and overcomplicated plots. Secondly books from twenty, fifty, ninety years are more than nostalgic jaunts, they are insights into the society and time of the author. Lastly juvenile nonfiction is a quick and painless way to get an overview of a topic. So pick up Alice in Wonderland, settle in with Lemony Snicket or build a cathedral with David Macaulay. Being an adult doesn't mean you can't have fun or that you have to do research the hard way.