In a message dated 10/31/08 2:03:41 PM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
> Cheerskep: I too was both amazed and disappointed to read your careless use > of the noun form "impact" in your last posting. > Now you can see why as a playwright I have to revise and revise and revise. I usually reread my forum postings once, rapidly, before hitting "send now". The trouble with that kind of proof-reading is that one is usually looking primarily for misspellings, secondarily for dropped words. In other words, sensibility doesn't get much chance to raise its voice. It's a fairly sure thing I'd never have a character use the word 'impactive'. Michael is right: If the word doesn't have a satisfactory "synonym", move on to a phrase. Instead of 'more impactive', I should have said 'has greater impact'. (To words I considered and rejected I should add 'moving' (or 'more moving'). There are times when 'moving' certainly feels right. But for me it comes with a connotation that things are going slower than those with "impact". 'Moving' lacks an element of wallop that comes with 'impact'. To the non-writer, this kind of chewing is painful to the teeth. To many writers, it's a great part of the pleasure -- finding what you're looking for. Twain said, "The difference between the right word and almost the right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning-bug.") ************** Plan your next getaway with AOL Travel. Check out Today's Hot 5 Travel Deals! (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100000075x1212416248x1200771803/aol?redir=http ://travel.aol.com/discount-travel?ncid=emlcntustrav00000001)
