do not use a fancy word or an unusual word or a grand word or an obscure word when a plain one will do. Perhaps you think language is important. Well, it is. Very. So, you think, I won`t be run of the mill, I`ll show them I know about that., So you search and search and rack your brains for an unusual or long or grand word when one is not needed. And it is one of the things any editor will tell you marks out the amateur from the pro. Of course you can sometimes dazzle with a wonderful word. But when you are describing something or opening a chapter, don`t draw attention to yourself. We`re not interested in you. We want to know if you can make us want to read on - good story, strong characters. If you were James Joyce or Lawrence Durrell, fine. But chances are you are not.

Plain and simple is best. Less is more. Save your really amazing word for  special occasion.

Look at the great writers - go back to Graham Greene and Dickens and the Brontes and Penelpe Fitzgerald and Jane Austen and George Eliot and John le Carre and Ian McEwan... look at the words they use. Look closely. Look at a couple of pages and see how they use plain sinewy words which do great service.

And always ask yourself  before you use a difficult/grand/unncessary word- is this a cliche word ? It probably is. Is this a cliche phrase ? Ditto.

The art is to be plain clear and simple without being dull and boring. Look at George Eliot.. good role model.