Friday, July 8, 2011

The Importance of Being Word-Choicey


To demonstrate the importance of word choice in writing, I've made up a little mad-lib for you guys to do in the comments. Best one gets a hearty laugh from me!

Ready? Begin.

There were way too many (plural noun) in the (noun), even for Henry. He couldn't figure out how to (verb) them, and he was running out of (noun). When his (noun) got back, there'd be (noun) to (verb). Even with the (plural noun) growing in (abstract noun) and (abstract noun), the chances of him achieving his (adjective) goal weren't very (adjective). (Adverb), he (verb-ed) the (noun) before he left this morning. That should win him some points with his (noun)


But what would he do with all those (plural noun)?

Be silly, be genius. Show me all the difference word choice makes to a story!

15 comments:

Loralie Hall said...

(Love this and I'm going to try really hard not to read this until after I've picked all the words)

There were way too many sunglasses in the conservitory, even for Henry. He couldn't figure out how to photocopy them, and he was running out of bobblehead. When his allagator got back, there'd be white board to develop. Even with the booster seats growing in curiosity and relaxation, the chances of him achieving his swollen goal weren't very green. Very, he combed the notepad before he left this morning. That should win him some points with his car keys.


But what would he do with all those sunglasses?

Jessica Bell said...

Ha! What a cool idea. Okay, here goes ...


There were way too many Janis Joplin glasses in the fridge, even for Henry. He couldn't figure out how to store them, and he was running out of hiding places. When his Janis Joplin look-alike got back, there'd be freak-outs to deal with. Even with the amplifiers growing in loudness and grooviness, the chances of him achieving his sly goal weren't very promising. Purposely, he polished the microphone before he left this morning. That should win him some points with his Janis Joplin look-alike.


But what would he do with all those Janis Joplin glasses?

Jessica Bell said...

Hey! LOL. We both did glasses at the same time. How funny!

Katrina L. Lantz said...

LOL! Okay, these are way too fun for a Friday morning. Well done, guys! Keep the (abstract noun) coming.

Unknown said...

There were way too many pixies in his pocket, even for Henry. He couldn't figure out how to de-pixie dust them, and he was running out of height. When his normal aerodynamics got back, there'd be the ground to hit. Even with the pixies growing in number and dustiness, the chances of him achieving his Peter Pan goal weren't very realistic. Fortunately, he signed the life insurance before he left this morning. That should win him some points with his ex-wife.


But what would *she* do with all those pixies?

[changed the sex on the last sentence, but hey.]

Katrina L. Lantz said...

LOL! Awesome! I think you've got the makings of a great adult fairytale there. :)

LinWash said...

There were way too many apple pancakes in the doghouse, even for Henry. He couldn't figure out how to expunge them, and he was running out of dates. When his pelican got back, there'd be bathwater to jump. Even with the geese growing in sadness and liberty, the chances of him achieving his young goal weren't very easy. Frightfully, he brushed the cow before he left this morning. That should win him some points with his skunk.


But what would he do with all those apples?

Matthew MacNish said...

Diction is the best part of being a writer, the most fun.

Traci VW said...

Fun! I'll join in.

There were way too many dragons in the sky, even for Henry. He couldn't figure out how to dodge them, and he was running out of wingtime. When his master got back, there'd be poop to scoop. Even with the dragons growing in fear and unease, the chances of him achieving his flight mastery goal weren't very hopeful. Luckily, he stroked the dragon egg before he left this morning. That should win him some points with his dragon. 

Traci VW said...

Oh, I forgot:

What would he do with all those dragons?

RaShelle Workman said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
RaShelle Workman said...

Whoops! Forgot a line.

K!

There were way too many bananas in the tree, even for Henry. He couldn't figure out how to collect them, and he was running out of pockets. When his monkey-mama got back, there'd be crap to dodge. Even with the monkey-babies growing in excitement and violence, the chances of him achieving his crazy goal weren't very promising. Thankfully, he kissed the wifey before he left this morning. That should win him some points with his monkey-mama.


But what would he do with all those oranges?

Don McFatridge said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Katrina L. Lantz said...

Thanks to everyone who participated! I laughed out loud reading them. It really shows how different stories can come out of one changed word, too.

Don McFatridge said...

There were way too many nuns in the jacuzzi, even for Henry. He couldn't figure out how to hide them, and he was running out of bubbles. When his Abbess got back, there'd be habits to break. Even with the nuns growing curious and prayful, the chances of him achieving his watery goal weren't very holy. Fortunately, he invited the Bishop before he left this morning. That should win him some points with his Abbess.

But what would he do with all those "Oh God"?