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Author Topic: Anyone get complete mental blocks when it comes to finding words
benskia
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It happens to me all the time.
I can be typing along, and then know that there is the right word for what I want to say, it's right on the tip of my tongue, but I just cannot grasp at it.

What makes it worse, is that I cant think of another word for it that I can stick into a theasaurus.

Like right now. What is the word that means that it's a good place to make money? And is a nice little cash cow, making someone a bit rich?

Arggghhhh. My head hurts.

I'll let you know if I get the word I'm looking for.

EDIT: GRRRRR. I'm sure the word begins with the letter C as well.

[This message has been edited by benskia (edited October 11, 2005).]


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Spaceman
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casino?
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JmariC
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Casino?
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Beth
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Casino?
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benskia
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Lol.

Not quite.
Problem is. I just cannot move on now until I get it.

It means:
"good earner"
"money-spinner"

Darn. The word cumulitive keeps popping into by brain, so it must be a bit like that somehow. Or probably not.


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benskia
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Here is the dialogue in which the word should sit (I think, but might need altering when I can just get that word) :

“Atrocious place. It is unfortunate that we had to meet here. I hope it doesn’t bear reflection upon my own character. Still, it is good for business. The most *** area that I have come across.”

[This message has been edited by benskia (edited October 11, 2005).]


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JmariC
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Profitable? I know, not a c-word. I'll try again later if no one gets it yet.
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JmariC
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commercial, conducive, contributive, cost-effective?
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benskia
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It's very like profitable.
In fact, I'll put that into a theasaurus and see what comes up.


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benskia
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Okay.
Well, you know that thing about it beginning with a C?

The word I was after was "lucrative".

Heh heh. My brain is rubbish!


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JmariC
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I have the same problems.

I've learned to put in a word or phrase as a place holder. Later, when I go over the work, I'll tidy it up.

I love http://dictionary.reference.com


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luapc
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I agree with just writing what sounds right initially, and not worrying about it being perfect. A lot of writers write terrible first drafts in their own opinions, with the intention of getting the idea down first, and working from there. Look at some of what OSC says himself in Uncle Orson's Writing Class. He's definitely not a bad writer, yet he's had to rewrite openings multiple times because they just weren't right. We're all human. If you focus on the details, you'll lose your concentration on the flow of the story, and it'll be very difficult to write. At least, that's the way it works for me.
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Campbell
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That happens to me all the time. What often works for me is to highlight the word or phrase that is giving me trouble and come back to it within the next day or so. Usually by that time, I can think of the right word, or I have come up with a much better phrase.

But the thesaurus...the thesaurus is my soul mate.


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Elan
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Try "lucrative".

Or, do what I do, and just insert the sucky word as a temporary fill in, then move on. You can change it during the edits, and you won't come to a dead halt while you have momentum to write.

And, try this link. A plethora of word resources at Dr. Goodword's Office Alpha Dictionary Site.... search 992 online English dictionaries at once, and over 120 specialty dictionaries, including ones with terms for business, commerce, finance, gambling, and you-name-it.
http://www.alphadictionary.com/index.shtml


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Corky
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You could try this reverse dictionary:

http://www.onelook.com/reverse-dictionary.shtml

where you type in a description of the word and it gives you some possibilities.


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Smaug
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I thought a
quote:
casino
quote:
casino
quote:
casino
was a good place to lose money!


Seriously, I have that same problem a lot. Thats when I substitued @!!**@@&& and come back to it later, when I've had time to think about it.

Shane


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Survivor
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I would go with "lucrative". Even if it isn't the word you were trying to remember. Like Elan also said, you can just put in a word that means the same thing.
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wbriggs
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A real gold mine.
They really rake it in. Hand over fist.

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hoptoad
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Dang!
I thought of 'lucrative' too now I have to try and find another one.

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Paul-girtbooks
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Have you tried this book out?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0898799767/104-6265383-7441557?v=glance&n=2 83155&s=books&v=glance

The blurb on the front reads

quote:
For when you know what you want to say but can't think of the word

I don't own a copy of it myself, just wondered if anyone did and whether or not they thought it was any good. It certainly seems to be geared toward finding those frustrating words which are just on the tip of your tongue.

[This message has been edited by Paul-girtbooks (edited October 12, 2005).]


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Elan
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Tomally? Wow. I didn't even know there WAS a word for a lobster's liver.
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Spaceman
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quote:
I thought a
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
casino
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
casino
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
casino
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

was a good place to lose money!



You mever specified who was making the money. (The casino, obviously.)


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