Writing (Un) Self-Consciously.

Today I was sitting in a doctor's office, skimming an old magazine (is there any other kind?!)  The cover story was a celebrity profile (is there any other kind?!)

I was about a half a page in when a reference was made to "Clark's nucleus." 

This stopped me cold.  And not in the good kind of "Let me Google that way."

The phrase took me out of the flow of what was otherwise decent prose.  It made me think the writer was a smarty pants trying to show off.

As readers, all of us like a well-turned phrase.  Some of us even like to be occasionally challenged, scurrying for a dictionary.

As writers we must stay out of the way of words.  We must not interrupt them with our own ponderous self-awareness.  That's a disservice to the reader.

So when in doubt, use an authentic voice.  Your readers will thank you.