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October 14, 2010

ZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!

Thursday Thirteen

I’ve been pounding away furiously on the keyboard this week. My characters are constantly on my mind and, as a result, I haven’t been sleeping well. I’m short of Zzzzzzzs. Thought association regarding lack of sleep produced the letter Z for my TT topic this week. Americans pronouce a Z as zee while British/NZ pronounce a Z as zed.

Thirteen Words Starting With Z

1. Zoo – a collection of animals kept in captivity. These days the captive breeding programs conducted by zoos are the only thing keeping some species from becoming extinct.

2. Zest – if you have a little vim & vigor in your step, you’re said to have zest.

3. Zephyr – a breeze or a wind, normally from the west.

4. Zealot – a fanatic

5. Zone – this can be a netball term – I have the TV on and I’m watching the Commonwealth games and the netball in particular. When you zone you attempt to block the other team.

6. Zigzag – the netball players run from side to side as they zip down the court to escape their opposite number.

7. Zero – naught or nothing. I hope the Silver Ferns don’t come up with nothing during their Gold medal game against Australia.

8. Zebra – a black and white striped animal that looks a little like a horse.

9. Zipper – a fastener consisting of two rows of metal feet on a tape. The connected tab slides up and down fastening and unfastening the zipper.

10. Zinnia – a colorful flower.

11. Zucchini – a summer squash that’s usually green in color. I hope my hubby doesn’t plant too many this summer because I get zucchinied out!

12. Zoom – to move with a loud buzz or hum, usually at speed.

13. Zombie – these are all the rage in fiction at present and for Halloween. They are a reanimated dead body.

Now it’s back to writing for me. I have five hundred words to complete my target for today. Hopefully, I’ll get them done quickly because I’m tired and need to go to bed and punch some Zs.

I don’t use Z words very often in my writing. Zipper is probably the one I use most as an erotic romance writer :wink:

Do you have a favorite Z word?

20 Comments

  1. Xakara

    Your last one leaves me shaking my head. No matter how many times someone tries to explain it, I just don’t get the zombie phenomena. *headshake*

    Great use of those zzz, hopefully we both catch the kind the bring rest soon. :)

    Happy TT,

    ~Xakara
    A 13 Paragraph Sneak Peak into Secrets of Night

  2. Jill Conyers

    Looks like you’ve covered the Zs. Maybe add zapped?

  3. Shelley Munro

    Xakara – the netball was REALLY exciting so it’s almost midnight here, and I’m still trying to finish my words.

    I’m not sure I understand the zombie craze either. They don’t really do it for me, not combined with romance anyway.

  4. Shelley Munro

    Hi Jill – zapped is a good addition. Happy TT :grin:

  5. Judy

    Hi, Shelley!!!

    What about zill…the little cymbals belly dancers wear on their fingers. You can certainly use those in your books ;-)

    Do you play Words with Friends?

    Happy TT!!

  6. Kimberly Menozzi

    Oh, and here’s a little “z” related trivia, for you:

    Zucchini is actually the plural form in Italian. A single one is called a zucchina (zucchine for the plural) or even a zucchino (the plural being zucchini).

    I doubt you can play it in Scrabble, though. ;)

  7. Adelle Laudan

    I played a great game of scrabble on the long weekend. I don’t think I use Z all that much in my writing either.
    Happy T13!

  8. Maria Zannini

    Well, it doesn’t count since it’s not a noun, but I’ve always been partial to Zannini. :lol:

    I tend to write that word a lot–mostly when I’m paying bills.

  9. Rekaya

    Your list reminded me that I should be studying for the GRE. I learned something – now only if I can retain it. Thanks for sharing.

    Rekaya

  10. Alice Audrey

    I’m not sure this is the way to catch up on your z’s. Especially the zombie thing, though I’ve known more people who had nightmares over zucchini.

  11. Tatiana Caldwell

    I like the word “Zip”.

    “How many times must I tell you to zip up your pants when you’re playing outside?”

    “Now you’re just being argumentative. Zip it already.”

    And sleep is for wussies (or at least that’s what I keep telling myself :wink: )

  12. Shelley Munro

    Hi Judy – I’m off to Google a zill since I haven’t heard of them before. No, I don’t play words with friends. :grin:

  13. Shelley Munro

    Kimberly – that is interesting but I’m still not a fan of them. Unfortunately they seem to grow well at our place!

  14. Shelley Munro

    Adelle – Z words are good on the scrabble board!

    Maria – LOL – bill time is never a good time.

    Rekaya – thanks for stopping by.

  15. Shelley Munro

    Paige – I don’t know about zombies…

    Tatiana – Zipping here and there is always satisfying. :wink:

  16. Jennifer Leeland

    See this is why I’m no good at Scrabble. LOL!!!!!
    Awesome list!

  17. Heather

    I’m glad the zucchini are done for a year. We certainly had an over-abundance this summer. Other great Z words? How about zebu–we have one at the zoo here. :grin:

  18. Mary K

    You pretty much covered all the z words I use or would use. The only one I could think of was ‘Zoompanel” lol it’s a survey place I do surveys for and get free stuff. And free is always good. lol

  19. Darla M Sands

    Great list! I hope you reached your goal and got some sleep.