I was wondering how many writers use a paper dictionary versus online dictionaries?
Personally I still use my good ole Oxford. I find something comforting in looking up spelling or confirming definitions while also spotting some wonderful words that are not part of my vocabulary.
However, I do find that I prefer an online thesaurus. Being able to easily chain from word to word is just too tempting.
Online
I have a nice Mirriam-Websters that I use occasionally, but I generally use Dictionary.com, which has a decent, free, linked dictionary/thesaurus. It's simply faster.
One way to expand your descriptive boundaries is by reading the pros with an eye or two open to see how they handle certain situations and descriptions.
Aardvark
"Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony."
Mahatma Gandhi
"Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony."
Mahatma Gandhi
Reference sources
I have a whole shelf of dictionaries close at hand, including medical, scientific, and several foreign language dictionaries. However, I often use online dictionaries when I'm editing for others, so that I can provide them with a link when I contest their use of a word. I agree that online thesauruses are very handy.
I also make constant use of various atlases and other reference materials at home. A great online source for up-to-date info on various other countries is the CIA World Factbook: https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/index.html
Amelia
"Reading rots the mind." - Uncle Analdas
"Reading rots the mind." - Uncle Analdas
Real book type
I have a Dictionary and a Thesaurus sitting on top of my printer...easy reach. I do use an online translator thingy every so often though. I also go searching for general...'I have no idea.. but I need this to....' type information online. Hey what's the net for afterall?
Kristina
Books
In addition to online reference material I use a Webster's II, Webster's Thesaurus, a flip dictionary, an idiom dictionary, Black's law dictionary, super thesaurus, numerous quote books, Chicago Manual of Style, Elements of Style, and Warriner's English Grammar and Composition. To round out my characters I use a variety of books, but mainly refer to The Plot Thickens by Noah Lukeman. For basic consistency I refer to The First Five Pages, also by Lukeman.
Angela Rasch (Jill M I)
Angela Rasch (Jill M I)
OFFline
Most of my source material is found offline. I use the online books and materials only when I truly find it necessary due to age or my own ignorance. IGNORANCE > intelligence.
IMMORTAL
- JOHN 3:16 (KJV) BIBLE
Depends
Hey Arcie,
I haven't written any stories for 6-7 years but I have been proofing, I hope that counts for a little. I use the old traditional hard cover paper dictionary for words which I want to add or change. But use the software when spell-checking.
with love,
Hope
with love,
HER
Once in a while I bare my soul, more often my soles bear me.
Strunk and White
Though I do have at least one physical dictionary in my stacks somewhere, I use software for most dictionary or thesaurus lookups. There are a number of good internet dictionary clients you can get, but I use Grammarian. It integrates the lookup capability into the spell and grammar checker, and it works offline, which is essential if you write during your commute as I do.
That said, there are a number of books I would recommend you have handy besides dictionaries. I think everyone should have a copy of the Elements of Style on hand. I've always got that on my desk. Also, I keep a few references around on writing. I also keep a copy of Writing Fiction and a few other references around. I more often have questions such as, how do I cleanly initiate a flashback or how can I say this in dialogue vs. description. It helps having a real book for topics like that.
mostly dead-tree free
I use online dictionaries, and the one built into my word processor.
But I do sometimes use a paper book of baby names for new characters, since online ones usually make you pick a letter first and I prefer randomly flipping around.