A couple of blog pals mentioned that they had never used Wordle before or didn't know what it was.
Wordle is a website that lets you paste a chunk of text that is then turned into a word cloud. The word cloud will show you the most used words and it will also let you remove words you don't want counted (typically character names if you're using it as revision assistance)
There are also other websites, so if Wordle doesn't work for you, you can also google "word clouds" and find other options.
Wordle also lets you choose colors, fonts, languages and how the words are displayed to make your word cloud as much a work of art as you want.
When I ran Hole Ridden through Wordle (and I left in the character names) this is what my word cloud ended up looking like:
I giggled like a school girl when I saw this because it seemed so ominous with the giant "Hole" front and center.
Anyone else throw their work in Wordle? Either as a revision assitant or just for fun?
I've never used it but that looks ever so pretty and now I want one. Wouldn't that be great to do as a large poster?
ReplyDeleteI would do that for my first novel published and frame it!
I agree with Palindrome, that's a great idea! Or I'd love to see a wordle cloud as a cover for a suspense or thriller.
ReplyDeleteBut no, I don't use it. I just use a normal word counter to let me find words that I use as crutches.
"But" and "just" are two of my biggest crutches.
I've used it in the past - but mostly for play. Once I get further into this manuscript, I'll definitely have to put it through there and see what comes up.
ReplyDeleteI love how the word "hole" stands out so prominently in your wordle...so fitting!
I posted my wordle a few weeks ago. I love the thing. My biggest word was my MC's name.
ReplyDeleteLove your word cloud! HOLE is staring at me ;-)
ReplyDeleteI've only used wordle twice, but for completed books, just to see what it looked like. Loved it, of course.
~JD
Palindrome - GENIUS!!! I'ma totes do that! applause for your genius idea!
ReplyDeleteSuzi - it WOULD be a great cover for a mystery book!
Jaydee - thanks! Wordle is one of those tools i use after i've done a few line edits
Christi - they're so pretty as visual representations of our work
Justine - yeah i tend to hold off until the WIP is completed. unless i'm just bored and looking for something to do
I totally have to try that out. I can't wait to see what my werewolf short story ends up like! What fun!
ReplyDeleteHeeehehehee! Hole and chain are quite prominent.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very cool application!
J Leigh - i hope it turns out awesome!
ReplyDeleteJoan - they are indeed. creeeeeeepy
I haven't yet but plan to run it through there to find my pesky repitions. OMGGGGGG that picture is creepy perfect for Hole Ridden, it should be like...the cover for that story I love it!
ReplyDeleteI haven't used it, but I'm totally going to now. That's crazy cool.
ReplyDeleteIf this was a book, that word cloud should be its cover.
Yeah, I've done it. Mostly for fun. :)
ReplyDeleteI like your BIG GAPING HOLE! ;)
Erica - i know! I was super excited when i saw it
ReplyDeleteTeebore - YEAH it should! But alas, just a short story. Though i should try it with foxfire
Lola - Ha! and yeah, in the past it's mostly been just for fun for me too
ReplyDeleteI've used it before, but not for awhile. I did it when I first started writing, and I plan to try again when I'm finished. I think it's helpful to leave character names in too because it lets you see how big of a role the characters are playing in the book (and how big a role the characters are playing in relation to each other). I definitely learned things about my writing last time, so much so that I was willing to post the one for my first chapter on my blog but not the one for the whole MS because I felt it showed my bad writing (lots of weak words, etc.) Hopefully in the final it will be different!
ReplyDeleteI threw the first piece of micro fiction I had published into Wordle to make a 3-ring binder cover for a writing workshop. I did it for the look and didn't realize the word size was based on count.
ReplyDeleteI love Wordle! Besides my character names, one of the biggest is the f-word. Hehe...
ReplyDeleteI like that your big ones are HOLE, CHAIN, and GROUND. Scary!!
And I'm with Hannah--this would make an AWESOME poster.
Heather - i love that idea of seeing how they characters play in relation to each other
ReplyDeleteJanel - ooh binder cover is genius!
Summer - Ha! and yes, if i get this story published (and i'm gonna try my hardest) i'm totes framing it
I keep forgetting about Wordle!
ReplyDeleteMy Liquid Story Binder has a similar feature, but this is cooler. And I like Palindrome's idea of making it into a poster, I think I may try it down the road!
ReplyDeleteI've heard of this but never used it. I must try it. It looks really neat. Definately, make it into a poster.
ReplyDeleteIf you get this story published, i will get it printed poster-sized and frame it for you
ReplyDeleteHi Falen.
ReplyDeleteit looks really neat.
Do you think that as writers we get fixated on our words too much? isn't that was the editors are for?
Just a thought LOL!
I've never heard of wordle but i'm going to take a look, thanks!
Alex - you should stick Cassa in and see what comes out!
ReplyDeleteMRJ - yeah i think Hannah should win an award for most genius idea
Christine - give it a try! It only takes like 30 seconds
Anne - Yay! but it doesn't have to be poster size. 8x11 would be fine for my limited wall space in me room
Kerrin - i would agree. But since most of us don't (yet) have editors i think it's our job to make our writing as perfect as we possibly can until we send it away
I have jsut for fun, but I can see that itwould make a useful tool as you've suggested.
ReplyDeleteVery cool. I think I'll try it once I get the MS all typed in.
ReplyDeleteHow much text will it take? An entire manuscript (100K words)? That would be interesting to see and an awesome poster if it was ever published.
ReplyDeleteWordle, where have you been, and why didn't I know about you? Awesome. Thanks for the fun, informative post, Sarah.
ReplyDeleteI bookmarked the Wordle site. I'm going to use it. Not only is a Wordle attractive, but when I'm editing I know I overuse some words. So in that case, it'll be helpful to know which words to alter or cut out.
ReplyDeleteI haven't used wordle... am considering it though... but I HAVE fallen in love with your Friday Word posts, so there is an award for you at my blog...
ReplyDeleteSouthpaw - it's fun and handy!
ReplyDeleteAngie - it's something that i look forward to once a few sets of line edits are complete
DL - as far as i know there aren't any limits. At least there are none listed by the text box or in the FAQ...
Roxy - any time! But be careful, it can be a time suck
Medeia - if only all revisions could be so pretty
Watery - aww thanks!
Oh, I luurve using Wordle :D Apparently, I use "back" wayyyy to much, too. Who knew?
ReplyDelete8.5x11
ReplyDeletegot it
it would be cool if you got that done for all of the myriad of books you'll eventually have published
This definitely looks like something I want to try. By the way, I've got an award for you over at my blog if you'd like to swing by and pick it up.
ReplyDeleteZoe - it's werid, right? And a few of mine i was using as a noun, so i couldn't get rid of them...
ReplyDeleteAnne - yes it would
Kelly - thanks! I'll swing by
Hey, Falen, I was wondering if you got my thoughts of Hole Ridden emailed to you? Also, thank you for explaining to me what Wordle was.
ReplyDeleteWrite on!