Awesome

…You sure about that? 

My friend and fellow writer, Liz Flaherty did an article about words once. Her consideration of the word “ordinary” made me go right into Editor Nan mode and start thinking about words, how we use them, and how we misuse them. 

I confess I am a word nerd. It’s all my mom’s fault—she was word geek too. When my siblings and I were kids, she insisted we learn new words and use them correctly. I also confess to being kinda proud of my vocabulary, which although not extraordinary, does probably qualify as extensive by any ordinary standard. I love words.

Finding and using new words gives me a little charge . . . oh, okay, a big charge. I also raised my kid to love and appreciate words. It’s not at unusual for one of us to drop “Good word” as an aside into the middle of a conversation. It my husband and our daughter-in-law a little while to figure out that we weren’t being patronizing when we say it. We really mean, “What a good word! Thanks for using it!” Yup, word nerds. 

Liz’s post really got me thinking, and the word that kept popping into my head was awesome. This one makes the word nerd and the editor in me cringe because it is so inappropriately overused. Somehow, awesome took the place of “wow” and “cool” and (okay, I’m dating myself) “groovy.” Ordinarily (see what I did there? Liz’s word was “ordinary.” Gosh, words are fun!), anyway, ordinarily, I wouldn’t be bugged by something like this, except that awesome feels like a word that should be reserved for things that are truly . . . well, awesome.

Webster defines awesome as “inspiring awe; extraordinary.” I realize that what inspires awe in me may not seem extraordinary to you, but let’s agree on a few examples.

The Grand Canyon is awesome.

That new denim jacket? Pretty, but not so much awesome.

Neil Armstrong walking on the moon? Awesome.

A Harry-Potter-themed birthday party? Nice, maybe even fun and terrific, but not awe-inspiring.

Jesus feeding the 5000 with five loaves and few fishes? Truly awesome.

The double bacon pepper-jack cheeseburger at the new burger joint down the road? Tasty, not awesome.

So, what do you think? Are we over-enthusing and making great descriptors trite by using them when a less . . . shall we say, enthusiastic word might be more fitting? And are we doing our kids a disservice by not asking them to find more appropriate adjectives? Discuss.

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Bio: Nan Reinhardt

Nan Reinhardt is a USA Today bestselling author of romantic fiction for Tule Publishing. Her day job is working as a freelance copyeditor and proofreader, however, writing is Nan’s first and most enduring passion. She can’t remember a time in her life when she wasn’t writing—she wrote her first romance novel at the age of ten and is still writing, but now from the viewpoint of a wiser, slightly rumpled, post-menopausal woman. Nan lives in the Midwest with her husband of 47 years, where they split their time between a house in the city and a cottage on a lake.

Talk to Nan at: nan@nanreinhardt.com

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 Reinhardt’s Four Irish Brothers Winery series 

Welcome to Four Irish Brothers Winery, a new romantic series from Tule Publishing and USA Today bestselling author, Nan Reinhardt. The Flaherty brothers, Sean, Brendan, Conor, and Aidan have inherited their family’s historic winery in River’s Edge, Indiana, a small town on the banks of the Ohio River. Single dad and winemaker, Conor is waking from the grief of losing his wife. Attorney Sean lives a fast-lane life in Chicago, but feels as if life is somehow chasing him. Political analyst Brendan lives and works quietly in Washington, DC, but longs to write novels. Rising star Aidan is an actor on a hit TV series, but has grown tired of the LA glitz and yearns to return to the stage.

In four touching and romantic stories, follow the Flahertys as they return to their family legacy and find love in the charming and quirky small town where they were raised. If you sweet small town romances, you will fall in love with the Four Irish Brothers Winery series. A Small Town Christmas, Conor’s story, Sean’s story, Meant to Be, and Aidan’s story, Christmas with You, and The Baby Contract, Brendan’s story are all available in both ebook and print from all book retailers.

A Small Town Christmas, 

Conor’s heart was finally healing. Can he convince Samantha to open hers?

Winemaker and single father Conor Flaherty is determined to make this Christmas holiday special for his daughter even though his family’s winery, Four Irish Brothers, is facing some challenges.

High-octane Chicago attorney Samantha Hayes is looking forward to some delicious food, fine wine, small town charm, and a break from her hectic big city life when she agrees to do a favor for her boss and help his younger brother with a lawsuit that’s been slapped on his family’s historic winery in River’s Edge. She’s not expecting that her sexy new client will have a smile that will melt her heart and remind her that there’s more to life than work.

Sam falls hard for Conor, his daughter and the small, friendly town, but can she trust her instincts and risk her heart? Sam hasn’t seen a lot of happy-ever-afters in her life, but Conor and the magic of Christmas make her want to believe.

 Amazon Kindle  |  iBooks  |  Kobo | Barnes&Noble

Meant to Be.

Can a near-tragedy help two best friends realize they’re meant to be so much more?

Best friends since grade school, high-powered Chicago attorney, Sean Flaherty, and small-town mayor Megan Mackenzie have always shared a special bond. When Sean is shot by a client’s angry ex, Megan rushes to his side, terrified she’s about to lose her long-time confidant.

Upon his return to River’s Edge to recuperate, Sean discovers that his feelings for his pal have taken an undeniable turn for the romantic. While Megan struggles with an unfamiliar longing for Sean, she worries that he may be mistaking a safe place to land for love. 

Can Sean help her realize that they are truly meant to be so much more than friends?

Amazon Kindle  |  iBooks  |  Kobo | Barnes&Noble

Christmas with You

She’s loved him all her life… but will he be there when she needs him the most? 

Disheartened and adrift after being written out of a hit TV show, actor Aidan Flaherty returns to his family’s historic winery, where he’s invested some of the fortune he’s made. As the holidays approach, Aidan becomes intrigued with the old showboat that’s dry-docked just east of town… and even more intrigued with the daughter of his former mentor, who now owns it. He decides to buy the boat and restore it to its former glory.

Single mom Holly Santos is back in River’s Edge after her divorce and she is over men in general and actors in particular. If she could only get rid of her father’s old showboat, a source of fascination for her son, Mateo. She never expects her old crush to walk into her tea shop or the fireworks that happen every time they’re in the same room.

Can Aidan convince her that he is determined to restore their shared heritage on the showboat and that he’s home to stay?

Amazon Kindle | iBooks | Kobo | Barnes&Noble

The Baby Contract

She wants a baby…he wants a family

Firefighter and paramedic Tierney Ashton has always been a bold adventurer, but at thirty-four she longs to embark on a new adventure—motherhood. But who will be the father? Although financially challenging, a sperm bank appears to be her best option. That is, until she shares her dream with her long-time pal, Brendan Flaherty.

Government analyst and world traveler Brendan Flaherty returns home to River’s Edge to help out at his family’s thriving winery and his brother’s new community theater. He also plans to finally achieve his lifelong goal of writing a novel. But when Tierney shares her wish, Bren offers to be her baby daddy—with one condition. Marriage.

It seems like a perfect contract, but will love get in the way?

Amazon Kindle | Apple iBooks | Kobo  | Barnes&Noble

Tags: featured, women writers

Category: On Writing