Try using this word in a sentence between lovers or lovers-to-be:
“Ratiocinate” (rash ee OS uh nate) — to reason. Example: “Let’s get into bed, not ratiocinate,” Bob said impatiently as Vera pushed him away yet again.

Often we replace generic words with those that draw too much attention to themselves. The result? We interrupt our flow and that of our readers. For example:

Generic: walk

Embellished: saunter, meander, amble, ambulate, etc.

True, sometimes our characters really do shuffle, but you get the picture. This week’s challenge then is to take a perfectly ordinary word and replace it with a fancy-dancy ones.

Feel free to propose a writing challenge!

Sorry, but I’m going to pass on posting this week’s Writing Challenge. My dog’s real sick and I’m real upset … I’ve written about Lilly today; the piece pretty much says it all. (See April 18th “Insights.”)

In 50-250 words, write whatever you’d like–a snippet of a novel, an opinion piece, a journal entry. But here’s the catch: All your words must be two syllables long.

Example:

“Bradley,” Lilly whispered. “Listen closely. Never, ever reveal Wendy’s secret. Wendy wouldn’t forgive, forget … “

“Silly, Lilly,” Bradley chuckled. “Keeping secrets isn’t Wendy’s forte.”

Write the longest sentence you can using alliteration. If absolutely necessary, you can use a non-alliterative word or two, such as in the following well-worn examples:

“Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.” “She sells seashells by the seashore.”