In the time I spend as both a reader and a beta, there's a category of mistake that I come across more often than any other. Since I now have the forum for it, I'm going to use my SuperBETA powers to fight against this terrible crime against the English Language.
What am I talking about?
Homophones.
Those are the pairs of words that sound the same, but are spelled differently.
And, imagine this, they actually have different MEANINGS as well.
Didn't know that?
Apparently neither do half the authors who write Twilight fan fiction.
But I am here to correct that.
Ready?
This week, I'd like to talk to you about a pair of homophones that, while it may not be the most common mistake, is certainly one of the most horrifying.
WAIST vs WASTE
Here's the most important thing I can say about these two:
If you are writing a lemon, you're going to want to use WAIST. I can imagine no circumstance where you would choose the other during sexy times. *gags at thought*
Shall we define the words?
WAIST: the part of the body in the center, between the ribs and the hips.
WASTE: garbage, unused or unwanted materials, fluids or solid materials that the body excretes (i.e. shit)
I'll even use them in a sentence:
Jasper wrapped his arms around Bella's waist and lifted her up onto the counter.
Bella couldn't finish the large meal that Esme cooked her, and since no one else could eat, the extra food went to waste.
What happens if you use the wrong one?
Well, quite honestly, you'll look like a moron. And your readers are going to gag.
Why?
Because Jasper will be putting his hands on Bella's shit.
Don't make this your Jasper:
That picture still totally squicks me out. I might vomit a little. Or maybe I already have. BLAH! lol Good segment though. It's funny how sometimes you know the difference between the two but you still do the shit. I do it all time with two words. Maybe I just need a better attention span. *snort*
Great job, bb.
T - I fracking love you! That's the best homophone lesson ever and that is the most hideous picture EVER!
I seriously hope you all picture that image every time you want to write waist and get it right! LOL
Oh Thank you so much for your post today. OMG I nearly spit my tea all over my laptop.
But seriously, nothing drives me more nuts when I am reading and I run into the same situation where an author continues to use the wrong spelling. Stupid pet peeve, I know.
Next we need to work on there, their & they're. ;)
This is one of my biggest pet peeves! *smooches Super Beta*