Readability Scores

Word’s Readability Statistics for the short story

Recently while working on a short story, I discovered Word’s Readability Statistics function [Word / Tools / Spelling and Grammar / Editor / Insights / Document stats] which creates a statistics chart that includes readability scores that needed reference charts to understand them. (Suggestion: Ignore the Word chart’s “Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level” – it doesn’t correlate with U.S. school grade.)

I researched readability scores online, and it’s interesting. The higher the ‘Flesch Reading Ease’ score, the easier to read. (See the Flesch-Kincaid Calculator chart.)

Flesch-Kincaid Calculator output for the short story

But the deeper into the rabbit hole I dug, the more inconsistent the information and scores became. 

One website (readabilityformulas.com) offered results from seven different readability testing procedures. Results varied widely.

The readability analysis that resonated with me was the Good Calculators website ‘Flesch-Kincaid Calculator’. A portion of the result chart is pictured.

The reading ease score can be increased – for easier reading – by shortening sentences and paragraphs, using active voice, and using shorter, simpler words.

I’ve often heard the writing advice to not use a fancy word when a simpler one will suffice, I mean, do. I don’t agree with that. To me, that seems equivalent – oops! four syllables – to ‘dumbing down’ the writing. Why not challenge the reader?

Man of my Dreams

Monty, fictional character

I met the man of my dreams at a Denver dinner event earlier this month.

I’d ‘dreamed up’ a character for my cozy mystery, “Murder at Binkley House.” The man in Denver appeared to be the living, breathing version of that character.

Often, my created characters are a mixture of the physical, emotional, and behavioral traits of people I know or have seen.

The cozy mystery character, Monty, blends a kind and personable maintenance man from a previous job with Santa Claus during his off season.

When I met Monte, the man in Denver, my brain pinged the cozy mystery’s maintenance man. Both have short, neatly trimmed beards, kind eyes, and gentle natures.

Now as I write Monty, the fictional character, I can visualize Monte, the man.

 

Family Treasures

Treasures passed down through the generations may not be monetarily valuable heirlooms, but there’s a reason the family cherished them.

My father bought a commemorative ceramic whiskey decanter when Oregon celebrated its first 100 years of statehood. My family lived in Oregon at the time, and my ancestors arrived there by wagon train in the 1850s before Oregon gained its statehood (verified by journal entries written along the Oregon Trail).

I have memories (verified by photographs) of myself wearing a homemade red-and-white gingham ‘period’ dress and bonnet and walking in the Centennial parade as a child.

My great-grandfather, the first generation of family born in Oregon, brought a crystal liquor decanter back from the Seattle World’s Fair in 1909. I ‘know’ that due to the handwritten note taped to the bottle. But who wrote the note, and when?

My father remembers a crystal fruit bowl being in the house when he was growing up. But was it the same bowl he recently gave me?

Not all memories and stories passed through generations are accurate. Just watch an episode or two of “Antiques Roadshow” if you need verification.

But what happens when an unverified family legend triggers a murder?

Jo and her best friend, Louise, try to untangle that enigma in my work-in-progress cozy mystery.

What’s Old is New

Much-loved rehomed dog toy

Through time, some words and concepts got a spit-shine for a new slant on perception.

‘Used’ cars are now ‘pre-owned.’ Used and hand-me-down clothes, descriptions that once implied ‘poor’ families, are now celebrated as recycled or vintage. Some of the used and hand-me-down furniture I grew up with is now antique.

Both of my dogs were in the pound, now referred to as the animal shelter. These lost or previously rejected dogs were adopted or rescued.

Plots have also been reused and recycled through time. Aren’t the star-crossed lovers in ‘Titanic’ a glossed-over remake of ‘Romeo and Juliet’?

According to “Are there 3, 5, 7, 9 or 36 Different Plot Types? [The Definitive Answer]”, Christopher Booker claims there are seven basic plot types, and Kurt Vonnegut identified six different character emotional arcs.

And considering that millions and millions of stories have been written, nothing is new.

So, when I saw one of my plot elements in an Agatha Christie movie recently, I could guarantee she didn’t recycle it from me.

Canine Christmas Eve

Man’s – and woman’s – best friend is a dog. And whenever family and friends are invited for dinner, their dogs are too. This year as usual, we all got together to celebrate on Christmas Eve.

Prior to the holidays, I bought a bunch of dog toys as a diversionary tactic for dinner time. I put the toys on the patio coffee table, and one by one, the dogs chose a new toy. My youngster, Jake – half Border collie / half hound – was so excited, he jumped on top of the table to choose his toy. While we ate dinner inside, the dogs played happily in the backyard in the warm and dry SoCal evening.

During dessert, the dogs rejoined us inside, and the gift giving began. My grand-dog, Finn, distributed presents. My son gave Finn small packages and told him who to take them to. (There was only one incident when the wrapping was so exciting that Finn opened it instead of delivering it.)

I received the perfect gift for a writer. When I’m working on a manuscript, ideas materialize spontaneously. Often in the shower. My present was a notebook with “all-weather writing paper that sheds water” (www.RiteintheRain.com). Now I’ll be able to capture those fleeting thoughts at previously inopportune moments.

Wishing you and yours Happy Holidays and a wonderful New Year.

Perception & Other Fine Lines

Half full or half empty?

Perception is uniquely individual and can be shaped by past experiences.

In the 1980s, smoking was allowed at the rear of airplanes. Being a non-smoker, I always sat in front. But on one business trip, I joined a co-worker sitting behind the wings. The flight was uneventful until the landing. Who knew the cowling would rotate off the top of the engine to act as an air brake? Who wouldn’t scream if they thought the engine was breaking apart? But it was an every-flight occurrence for the smokers.

Everyone perceives what they read differently.

I submitted the first several chapters of a cozy mystery I’m writing for critique. I received feedback ranging from “love it” to “hate it.” I reflected on the feedback and realized I’d written a toxic work environment. It was a stellar setting for my detective series, but it bombed out with cozy readers.

I revised the atmosphere of the work setting and resubmitted my chapters to the same readers. Most readers preferred the supportive work environment. Several, though, preferred the darker, conflict-infused version.

I found the mixed responses intriguing and wondered if the opinions split along the cozy / non-cozy divide. Readers have expectations based on the book’s genre, and I’d stumbled across the line in my initial attempt at creating this art form.

Understanding reader expectation is important for writing successful genre books. But best-selling author status isn’t why I write. It will be interesting to see if this book ‘conforms’ or morphs into a Frankenstein-ian fusion of genres.

Omnifete 2022

The first annual Omnifete exploded onto the creativity scene Sunday, November 13. The physical location of the arts fair was Southern California, but artisans from the around the country displayed their wares.

The day began with a late morning book launch party (at Pamela’s Tea Room in Garden Grove) for Omni’s sixth anthology, Fabulae ex Elementis. The book includes original and tweaked fairy tales ‘with an elemental twist.’

The afternoon arts fair (hosted by Whimsicalidocious Arts, the philanthropy arm of the Omni Ocademy) emphasized literacy advocacy and cultural connectivity. From books to baking to painting to hand crafting to jewelry to massage therapy and music, I browsed, enjoyed, tasted, and purchased.

I admit I spent more than I brought in selling my books, but no complaints here!

One of the highlights of the day was the talented group of SoCal acoustic musicians pickin’ bluegrass. I look forward to hearing them again.

Photo by Nevine