I use online reference tools more and more these days, but if I want a deep look into a particular word, for example, I’ll always go first to Nicola’s Oxford English Dictionary. I actually never use a thesaurus at all. If a word isn’t in my head, I’m not sure I want it in my writing, you know? (Big generalization, but…)

My own take is that I am saying what I want with as much accuracy and grace as I can gather at the time. Trying to write and plugin the correct keywords, bold face, and underlines so a bot from Google or wherever can “read” and then note my thoughts is anti-writing to me.

So in that sense is the use of a thesaurus though from time to time I do pick up my dust paperback Roget.

And of course, we have all noted the recent problem Mr. McSame had via his Georgia comments.

Being on the net and having Google right there to aid in the research is addictive. I use it but make sure I thoroughly digest the information and if possible cross-reference it before spitting it out as my own pap.

As for the reference tools your blog pointed me toward, I found it interesting that she preferred the book to the online versions. But then so do I.