What's in a word?

"What's in a Word?"
By
Micki Woodham


"In the beginning was the word . . ."
John 1:1 King James Bible

Remember the childhood taunt, "Sticks and stones will break my bones, but names will never harm me?" This is not true. The "Pen is mightier than the sword," and the complexity of language plays upon everyday living. It can be subtle,(my favorite) sarcastic, ironic, menacing, hateful, loving, instructive; the list is long. Ultimately words hurt much more than stones, because the scars from hurtful words do not heal.

Words make or break relationships, erase the tears of a crying child, soothe an aching heart, cheer on an athlete, or manipulate an enemy. Words are power and it is essential to learn to use them wisely and to understand the strength behind a simple word.

As applied to writing, proper word choice is critical to a successful essay, short story or novel. Making an error in word usage can change the tempo and alter the perspective of any given piece of writing.

Years ago, four years of Latin was a required course in High School. We all groaned, but this now obsolete language was the best example of how the nuance of a word can completely change the meaning of a sentence or story. English, based in part, on Latin, is no different. The words one uses in narrative or description show character traits and personality.

"He was a tempting, seductive piece of work," shows the reader much about this character, as does, "She put on her reading glasses and began stamping the books the children brought to the library desk." Words define characters, build plot and suspense, and describe settings. Words in dialogue show emotions and character behavior. Words are all one has to work with, both in real life and in writing. It is prudent to choose them well. Roget's Thesaurus should be evey writer's bible, packed as it is with synonyms that shift context and meaning in the most subtle ways.

"Words express ideas, name things. Words have momentum. They carry you from one place to another. When your words change, you change." Taken from The World Book Complete Word Power Library."

"'In the Miracle Worker,' based on the life of Helen Keller, the little blind and deaf girl's mother asks the child's teacher what is to be taught first. 'Language, I hope, replies the teacher . . . what is she without words?'" Taken from from the Dictionary of Problems and Expressions," by Harry Shaw.

Words are critical to writing. Without them the page would be blank. Words help communicate thoughts and feelings. What would we be without words? Mastery of words would take an lifetime and more. And should.

As for drafts, to my mind, no story is ever completed until some caring person rips it out of my hands and says, "Enough already!"

Passage

PASSAGE

The six-foot Blue Spruce tree leaned against the wall, ignored by garage sale enthusiasts in Midwestern Pennsylvania, where real trees took preference.
"Buy it Mom," Nicole begged. "Please!"
"Okay, Okay!" Unable to resist her impetuous teenager, Annie agreed. "But you're lugging it to the car."
Decorated with homemade ornaments, the tree dominated a corner of their old farmhouse.
It was so regal they kept it, bare, between holidays. It calmed them somehow, eased the pain and loss of Nicole's father.
Ghostly apparitions shared their home, some benevelant, some not. The most haunting events emanated from the attic. Nicole and her Mom gathered Christmas decorations stored there the following year. This time when the attic door slammed shut, forcing it open was futile. Panicked, they ran to the window.
The scene outside depicted another century. Wagons replaced cars, farms flourished where modern homes once stood. The door swung open. They ventured to an unfamiliar downstairs, the ambience from a bygone era.
In the corner of the room stood a live Blue Spruce tree decorated with homemade ornaments. Nicole grabbed her mother's hand and whispered.
"Mom, I think maybe we found our real home."
Annie nodded.
Her husband held out his arms to embrace them.

Micki

203 wds

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