Dear Friend,
As an author, my most important tool is words. Words comprise everything I write.
Thinking of words, just the right words, takes effort. When I’m writing, sometimes I even dream of words to write as I’m waking up. If they seem inspired, I rush to write them down so I don’t lose them.
But finding just the one perfect word is essential. I learned that way back in a summer job many years ago. I was working for a lawyer who was contesting a verdict for his client. He gave me a printed, faded out page he needed verified. My mission, which I definitely chose to accept, (no, this wasn’t in the league of spy thrillers or Mission:Impossible) involved finding out if the last line on the page included the word “one.” The lawyer said the difference in winning the case came down to one fact. Was the word “one” or “none?”
I questioned the boss. “Really? You’ll win this case if it’s the right word?”
“Yes.”
That impressed me with how important and potent words can be. When used beautifully and fluidly, they can be a poem, a marriage proposal, an award-winning screenplay, gorgeous prose that sets a scene, or a rebuttal to an argument.
In writing my own books, I think about words that are evocative. That explore the senses. That don’t get too wordy, but just get the characters and their worlds discovered.
In college, I agonized over every word. I had papers that were due regularly, which required four to five pages, following the, seemingly, easy formula of: tell what the paper is going to show or prove, explain the details of two to three concepts with proof and examples, and summarize by telling what I’ve explained and shown.
Well, it wasn’t so easy. Somehow, writing long papers of fifty pages or more appeared easier. The difference was that I could blather on when I had the key concepts, but the shorter papers required concise and strong language that made my points and hit hard. Memorable prose!
I’ve found individual words important as I read others’ books. Words jump out at me and I find words no one else has noticed. When I was a book coach, one author had used the word “reign”(rule a country) when she meant “reins.” (Used with horses, as in, “takes the reins.”) Homonyms, words pronounced the same and sometimes spelled differently, but have different meanings, often appear when computers fill in a word. I’ve had computers second-guess what word I’ll be typing next, so I’ve learned to check my writing for errors.
One of the most embarrassing errors I’ve made was when the letter, lower case “el”- “l” was left out of the word “public.” I had spelled it correctly three times when I was a journalist writing about a public figure with a degree in public administration. The mistake occurred on an inside page, where not everyone might notice, but the public figure informed me that everyone was razzing him. He was good-natured about the goof, but I was red-faced, especially since two other people read the story and didn’t catch the misspelling. My apologies included my disclaimer since the letter (el) is so thin! Another journalist told me she’d had the same error─ “above the fold” on the front page! That was even more prominent, and she shared that everyone laughed!
Lately, I’ve challenged myself with the “Spelling Bee” column in the New York Times. It’s an unconventional way for me to remind myself of words I know. The “bee” is simple. You have seven letters and one of them is a required letter. There’s no time limit!
The goal is to find as many four, or more, letter words as possible with each of the seven letters, including one required letter. The great thing is that you can use any of the seven letters more than once. If the letters are there, you can create two or more forms of a word. Like flap, flapping. Laughingly, my most effective spelling bee had my best result with the word: ineffective─The longest word I’ve used. You get extra points when you use each of the seven letters in one word (and you can still use any letters more than once.)
I’m amazed at the impact one word can have on people. A “Yes” on a marriage proposal? Transforming! When the stock market is “down?” Having someone learn they’re pregnant and want the baby, and find the test is positive. Joyful!
My favorite story is how my husband proposed to me. He was speaking about travel plans and slipped in the word “honeymoon.” (He had not asked me to marry him at that point.) I stopped him and asked if he was proposing? He had a teasing look on his face, but he answered, “Yes.” Happiness!
A middle school teacher once told me the two most beautiful words in the English language were – “Cellar door.” I don’t know what criteria were used to decide or who the judges were, but I’m sure there are other words I’ve found equally beautiful.
As for the power of one word to change the world, there are many other words such as “ceasefire,” “accepted,” “winner,” and “love.” In essence, it’s all about love, which is the central point for romance.
Choose “wisely” as the “Grail Knight” in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade says. Every word conveys meaning. Make sure it’s the one you intend.
NOTE: When I’m reading books, I especially appreciate authors who write beautiful prose, choosing words that magically evoke images and a sense of characters, settings, and relationships. Who do I enjoy? J.D. Robb/Nora Roberts, Susan Mallery, J. Rose Black, Marie Force, Emily Henry, and many others.
Please let me know in the box below authors you enjoy and tell me who they are. If you’ve read any of my books, let me know if you enjoyed them. Thank you!
PS You still have time to read my ebook Love at First Sight for free on Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) through February 17. Please take advantage of the offer and let me know if it’s a simple process for you!
My next blog is the day before Valentine’s Day!
Tell me about your most wonderful, joyful announcement you remember–for the most inspiring – be it a marriage proposal, learning your child is well, or some other, I’ll choose (randomly) and I’ll have a special prize. Please have your special announcement to me by no later than February 12th so I can choose the winner and announce it in my next blog.
Send entries to: Shelley@ShelleySommers.com and put “Best Announcement” in the subject.
Please include your name (since some names are hard to tell with your emails,) and details about the context of your joyful proposal.
