In a Constant Stage of Development!!
Definitions on terminology that shows up in my reviews...both dictionary definitions and any variations or personalization of word use as needed. Stay tuned, because I add to this periodically, as needed!
See a word in a review that isn't here and you don't know what I meant by it or how I was using it? Email me here or post a comment and I WILL add it to the Definition page, I promise!
Brain Candy: Some call it chick lit, some refer to it as fluff or call it a beach read. I call it brain candy. It's the sort of read that doesn't take a lot of thought and doesn't inspire any, either. It may make you giggle, could possibly prod a tear or two from you, but it ends happy for all concerned. It's strictly entertainment. Light entertainment. Sort of like the literary equivalent of a sitcom. Chances are it won't make a lasting impression, but that's okay, it also won't leave five pounds on your hips, no matter how much of it you indulge in!
Peccadillo (pl. -loes): According to Dictionary.com...
That's pretty much how I use it in reviews, though when describing a character's peccadilloes, it does tend to lean more towards faults and not always so minor. Heroines that are too stupid to live, for example, are one of my least favorite character peccadilloes.a very minor or slight sin or offense; a trifling fault.
Mythos: I love this word, despite the problems it causes. It's perfect to encapsulate its meaning, and I use it frequently, yet it's not commonly recognized and is persistently underlined as if it's misspelled. Mythos refers to the mythical elements that an author has created to define the characters or world in which his or her stories take place. Where mythology is most commonly defined as, "A body or collection of myths belonging to a people and addressing their origin, history, deities, ancestors, and heroes," (http://www.thefreedictionary.com/mythology), mythos is more personalized. It is, in fact, one person's creation, one author's imagination. For example, the mythos, and to be more specific, the vampire mythos, of J.R. Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood series differs greatly from that of Jeanine Frost's Night Huntress series, with differences in each vampire race's origins, history, abilities, strengths, and weaknesses.
Ills and Imps: There is no dictionary reverence for this phrase because it's right from my scary little noggin. I use the term as a handy way of grouping and referring to the illogical, improbable, or implausible (see the connection there?) plot points or story elements that strain or break my ability to maintain a willing suspension of disbelief and thereby cause an issue for me in the story in which they occur. The more numerous or egregious the Ills and Imps, the more likely the book will be a total fail for me.
Organic: According to Dictionary.com...
adjective
9. developing in a manner analogous to the natural growth and evolution characteristic of living organisms; arising as a natural outgrowth.
I love the word organic. It's an important word to me and it relates to how I view characters and their actions, as well as the story surrounding them. I most often use the term in my reviews to refer to or highlight the progression or evolution of a character or their dialogue within a story. If I say a character's evolution is organic, I mean they have changed from who they were at the start of the story in a way that is natural and believable given what that character has lived through as the story progressed. Their actions, reactions, and subsequent dialogue feels true-to-life for who that character has become. Organic development or evolution in a book not only allows for willing suspension of disbelief, it strengthens it. In short...it's a good thing. A very good thing. (Note: this definition brought to you at the request of Tiffany. Thank you!)
