Have you ever thought about the power of words? As a writing major, I probably think about them a little too much.
Every time I read a novel, I grab a sticky note and a pen and write down any words that I am unfamiliar with or believe to be interesting choices. In the past three days I have learned several new words from the two books I read. And the Shofar Blew: cockamamie, barb, akimbo, and quixotic. The Dive From Clausen's Pier: isthmus, stodgy, oscillating, and churlish. Etcetera.
Inspiration comes when I read the inspiration of others.
I will quickly grab an old receipt from my overstuffed D&G bag and jot down all metaphors/sentences/descriptions that come to mind as I read another's words. Some are decent. Others makes me laugh. No matter their quality,
however, I consider all my receipts/post-it notes successes.
They are visual reminders of my word consciousness.
[The real trick is deciphering my scribbles later.]
It truly is an art, this stringing-words-together thing.
Wallace Stegner once said, "Easy reading makes hard writing."
No one is inherently "good" at it, especially the first time around. It takes work, dedication, practice. A writer's best friend isn't his pen, it's his eraser. Undoubtedly, he will use it more frequently. Anyone can write, but it takes a true artist to master his craft.
Have you ever wondered what it would be like if we all talked the way we wrote? I am keenly aware of words [their power and effectiveness] when I write, yet this somehow escapes me when I'm conversing with someone. I can be mean, hurtful, rude, completely oblivious to how I'm effecting you. I sometimes feel like Lindsay Lohan's character in Mean Girls. She is constantly having a conversation in her head, chastising herself for saying something stupid in front of her peers.
"Word Vomit," she calls it.
Some days, I have a bad case of word vomit where nothing "good" seems to
be coming out of my mouth. I want to be someone who speaks the truth in love. Someone who is gentle and kind. Many times, however, my blunt tongue has its own ideas.
I wish I was more word conscious.
I like the picture and this post and you :)
ReplyDeleteMe too. The difference between the way a person writes and the way he or she speaks is interesting.
ReplyDeleteAnd the Shofar Blew - I have that one. I love me some Francine. I always like to look words up to. WHy read them if you don't understand them? I think I talk a lot like a write. At least people tell me that. But I think my writing is just a little bit conversational so that's why. hmmm.....
ReplyDelete~K
Great post! I love that you write down all the words...we encourage our students to mark any words they don't know and look them up later as well.
ReplyDeleteI feel ya on the "word vomit" sometimes I just don't know how to shut-up or my thoughts come out wrong. It happens to the best of us! Love ya!
I feel the same way! I'm completely fascinated by words. Most people get music stuck in their heads but when I hear an interesting word, that tends to stick in my head as well! :)
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