“Words—so innocent and powerless as they are, as standing in a dictionary, how potent for good and evil they become in the hands of one who knows how to combine them.” ~Nathaniel Hawthorne
I love this quote.
Written or spoken words are powerful if strung in the right way.
Words can start a war or dash a hopeful spirit. Words can sting a soul like a thousand bees. Hateful words can humiliate and destroy, permanently harming the heart.
Words can also inspire a nation or heal the ill spirit. Words can renew the soul like the blossoms of spring. Words of love and affection waltz through the passionate heart.
Words can bust open a laugh or bring us to tears.
Don’t we love words?
I sure do.
We as writers can take a few words and turn a world upside down. We can make a character squirm in his seat or fall hopelessly in love. We can drive a character to the edge of a cliff or bring her to her knees, begging forgiveness.
Hawthorne was right.
As a writer, are you a lover of storytelling or words and the craft of writing? What words have inspired you? Do you do word research?
I would love to hear from you.
Between you, me and the gatepost,
Loree
Don’t forget to come by next Monday for The History Corner with Eric Huebner, along with my regular post.
26 comments:
I love words, and yes I'm a huge fan of word search, especially when I'm studying THE WORD! I want to get to the root of the meaning. I always find that it means something so much deeper.
I was just blown away by wonderful words, thanks to Laura Frantz and The Colonel's Lady. Ah! What words can do!
When I was eleven I kept a workbook titled "1,001 Words You Need To Know" beside my bed. I also read dictionaries for FUN. So..yeah..I think I'm definitely a lover of words ;)But...they are always best when they make you FEEL, when they move you in your core. It's those words and sentences I love the most.
Jessica: The Colonel's Lady was beautifully written.
I also dig for the root meaning of a word. It's the whole key.
Charissa: I agree that words are best when they make you feel. I've been shook and turned upside down a few times. I keep three books on my night stand...a dictionary, a thesaurus, and my Bible. I love that you read the dictionary for fun.
Jessica and Charissa, thanks for stopping by!
Beautiful post, Loree. Words really can have two sides to them, can't they?
Oh I always dig into the root of the word, too! It makes the whole point sometimes.
Words are such powerful things. You are so right!
Great quote, Loree. I love words and finding different ways to express myself through them. God has blessed us writers with the ability to create moving stories with this form of communication. I think the challenge lies in using our gift wisely and bringing glory to Him.
Sarah: You're so right, Sarah.
Marji: Exactly, Marji. The root of the word makes the whole point.
Brandi: Excellent point about "the challenge lies in using our gift wisely" for His glory. AMEN!
Sarah, Marji, and Brandi, I thank you for dropping by and commenting.
My favorite part of writing is in choosing words that evoke emotion in the reader by layering in the pov character's emotions. It's a sweet joy to finally hit upon just the right word to do the job. Loved your post and heartily second the comments.
They sure are powerful, Loree. They're also a lot of fun to work with.
Will try and email you tomorrow. Near exhaustion right now.
Sandra: Well said! It is sweet joy when you hit upon the right word!
I'm doing my monthy order from Amazon this week and plan to order your book. Looking forward to reading it! It's next on my TBR list after Fairer Than Morning.
Eileen: Powerful and fun, yes! I look forward to your email.
Sandra and Eileen: Thanks for coming by and chiming in!
Wow, I love that quote! It's so true~ words strung together in the right way do have so much power. I've been an amateur in my word searches thus far, and sometimes use thesaurus.com to find the right word :)
Dealing with teenagers for all my career I learned how vulnerable they can be to hateful words. I always did my best to try and salve the wounds.
As to my blogging "carrer" I love to tell stories and try to make people smile. The writing part as opposed to the verbally telling part is a constant learning process and no I don't search for words... if I can't think of the right one I just make them up... :)
Words that inspired me last week (a little cheesy, but meaningful for me at the time)...
Do you ever feel forgotten? You are not.
I am such a fan of people who can really make words dance. I wish I had that skill, but my writing tends to be more to the point. :)
Angela @ The Bookshelf Muse
I don't know if I can pinpoint what it is about words that moves me. What I do know is that when I read that special something the words dance on the page and leave me breathless. It really is magical!
I love the quote, thanks for sharing!
Jess: I've have never used thesaurus.com. I'll have to remember that one. Thanks for the tip.
troutbirder: teenagers are extremely vunerable to the hateful words. I bet you were a great teacher.
I love that you make up words if you can't find the right one!
Michelle: Love it! Not at all cheesy...
Angela: Welcome here!! I'm thrilled you stopped in!
Deana: I love how you wrote that it's magical when words leave you breathless - I agree...magical.
Jess, troutbirder, Michelle, Angela, and Deana, thanks so much for stopping in!
I love the quotes! Words are a lot of fun, and yes, they are powerful. Proverbs 18:21 tells us that life and death are in the power of the tongue (meaning words ;-) I love that scripture. To me words = ministry, especially as a writer.
I love words too! I like to think of us as writers as wielding and molding words like other artists use paint or clay.
Gwen: Thanks for sharing that Proverb. It almost says the same thing as the the quote. Love it. Words = ministry...that's beautiful Gwen.
Stacy: Exactly! Well said! We are artists. We just paint with words.
Gwen and Stacy, thanks for stopping by!
I absolutely love words, and when I find the perfect one for the perfect spot....bliss.
I remind my sons that the tongue can be a harsh weapon, and to be careful what they say. An early lesson from my mom :D
Definitely! Words are SO important. We can make people FEEL and THINK a certain way just by our words--spoken or written. We have to be cautious and conscious of that power. :)
Loree, Your blog has been such a delight to follow. I've awarded you the Versatile Blogger Award. Check it out at my site! marjilaine.blogspot.com
I use my thesaurus. Heehee! I do love words but I also love storytelling. My fave books are ones that can combine the two.
Julie: A good lesson for kids to learn early. That old tongue can be our worst enemy.
Carol: We do have to be cautious of that power.
Marji: Thanks for the Award. I have that one, but I will happily accept another one. Thank you.
Jessica: I use my thesaurus all of the time...hahaha. I'm with you on loving the books that combine well written and great storytelling!
Julie, Carol, Marji, and Jessica, thanks for popping by.
Found you through Eileen. I just did a blog post this week on this exact topic. Great minds think alike. ;O)
Diane: Glad you came over! Welcome here. I'll check out your post.
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