Be mindful that what you write matters.
Why you should give consideration to words and phrases you use whether you share your work or not.
It is all too easy to fall in love with your words.
I know that I have certain words that I use a lot. Some are completely useful to a given text, no matter what genre I am writing in. Some, though, can be borderline superfluous.
What words you make use of is important, however. Words carry a lot of meanings, some of which are intended and some of which are not. While I have no control over how a reader reacts to a word I make use of, this is still something to keep in mind.
It’s easy to underestimate and simultaneously overestimate your readers. It’s a really neat trick, I assure you.
This is why it’s important to acknowledge that what you write matters.
Choosing words and phrases
One of my very favorite words to make use of is ergo. Ergo can take the place of therefore, which can also be interchangeable with so, then, thus, such as, wherefore, and lots of other words and phrases.
Before the internet, I kept a thesaurus on my desk. This allowed me to use different words rather than repeat the same over and over again.
The danger of this practice, however, is that sometimes you go a little crazy with word replacements. Ergo, for example, is a bit on the antiquated side. Some might also argue that it’s a bit highbrow, or sheshi, or froofy, or some other word meaning lofty or extravagant.
See what I mean? Lots of words can describe a thing, but what you choose for that purpose when you write matters.
This can be a lot of fun, of course, because the English language has so many options, nuances, irregularities, and such to play with.
Of course, English as a language comes from stalking other languages, accosting them in dark alleys and shaking them down for loose grammar.
Another fun thing to do is make use of rare and largely unused terms and phrases. For my Steampunk world, for example, I looked up old Victorian phrases less applied in modern works. Thus, an idiot gets called a numpty, shit is replaced with cack, and jackass replaced with toffer.
This is one reason why knowing your audience is important. What I write for businesspeople is different from what I write for teenage fiction readers, for example. These articles have a tone unique from the rest of what I do.
Words elicit emotions
This can be both good and bad. Depending on what you are writing and who you are writing it for, the emotions you play with can be tricky.
For example, if I write “kissed her tenderly” it’s going to create a different emotion than “kissed her fiercely.” But more than that, there are words that in and of themselves hold a deep meaning that can rile people up.
Holocaust, for example. Sure, you could just be using the word to talk about a horribly destructive fire. But chances are this will bring up thoughts about the WWII attempted genocide of 6 million Jews and another 6 million people by the Nazis. One word takes on an ugly, dark, distressing meaning.
Other words with this power include reformation, crusade, renaissance, and enslavement. Periods of time, good and bad happenings, historical events all potentially implied with the use of a single word.
It is for this reason that a writer needs to remember that what you write matters. An innocent turn of phrase can take on a very different meaning to a reader than the writer’s intent.
What you write matters
To be fair, sometimes you are looking to elicit that reaction. There are times you know full well that your word has lots, and lots of potential uses and meanings.
Two of my favorite words that can mean many, many things are fuck and interesting.
Fuck can be every single part of speech imaginable. It can be good, bad, neutral, casual, formal, and made to mean many different things. It’s a really versatile word that can be used in ways few other words can be.
Unfortunately, fuck is generally an impolite word. It’s a curse word, a dirty word. But it’s so fucking fun to use, and versatile as fuck. Sometimes you fuck with people by using this fucking word to fuck things up in a fucking amazing manner.
Interesting can be straightforward, meaning engaging and holding your attention because the subject matter is of interest or importance. But it can also take on numerous other meanings.
Tone can do a lot to the word interesting. For example, if I say “isn’t that interesting?” as a question, I am implying you may find it so as well. If, however, I singsong, “iiiiiiiiiiinteresting…” now it takes on a more colorful, impish implication. It has greater meaning.
Interesting can also be applicable to cover something that is good or bad indirectly. “I had an interesting day” could go either way, meaning it was good, or totally fucked up. Also, I love this example from Joss Whedon’s Serenity:
“Define interesting?”
“Oh god, oh god, we’re all going to die?”
Words have fascinating properties and power. They can be fucking interesting on a lot of different levels.
Be mindful of what you write
What you write matters, whether you are sharing it with others or keeping it to yourself. Just remember that you can be an amazing creator, whether its stories of incredible places that, until they reach the page or screen, only exist in your head. Or ideas for conscious reality creation and being the best you that you can be.
If you are a writer please keep writing. The practice leads to improvement, and you should continue to hone your craft and write what matters to you.
Thank you for reading these words I have written for me and for you, as well as for taking part in my ongoing journey. Thank you for joining me.
Please take a moment to explore the rest of the website, which I am working to evolve and change for the better…much like I am doing for myself. Also, visit Awareness for Everyone to check out my bi-weekly podcasts.
This is the thirty-second entry of my personal writing blog. Please take a moment to check out the collection of my published writing, which can be found here.
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