Turkey Vulture

It's a few days before Thanksgiving, so this is the perfect time to tell about my mistake with a "Turkey Vulture.”

I try to be mindful not to write anything just because it sounds good. But, my editor caught me doing just that.

In my mind, a turkey vulture is a big, scary bird. It's wingspan is up to 72 inches, and some in the species are larger than vultures. Their bodies are dark, brownish-black, and they often sit high in trees with their wings spread. The sight of such a bird overhead must mean trouble. I referenced them as a bird of prey.

This was my mistake. I said it simply because it sounded good. But turkey vultures are, in fact, not birds of prey; they are opportunistic feeders.

To the plot of my novel, it made no difference. But, the mistaken reference took the reader, my editor, out of the story to make the correction. Anything that distracts the reader from the plot is something a writer must avoid.

The turkey vulture was a good reminder to write for accuracy, and never just because it might sound good.

Happy Thanksgiving!