Don't you just love a good word? One of the joys of writing is finding the "just right" word. The one that fits the character. The one that perfectly describes the object, action, or scene. The one so precise that it puts writer and reader not just on the same page but smack in the middle of the same scene, sitting among the characters, sharing the same emotion.
The older I get, however, the harder this task becomes. Often, the word I want gets stuck in the recesses of my brain, refusing to budge and make its way down to my fingertips. Often, this is frustrating.
Sometimes, it's downright scary. Am I losing it? Will I be stuck choosing between a so-so word choice and giving up writing because I just can't bear consistently using words that are second-best?
Luckily, in addition to being naturally loquacious (bet you're shocked), I'm also incredibly stubborn. I've learned to plunk a so-so synonym onto the page, confident (mostly...kinda...) that when I re-read what I've written, the right word will magically break free from the neurons that bind it, dance down my arm, and slip off my fingertips and onto the page.
A girl can dream.
Most writers have favorite words, and we can be judgy when it comes to their proper use. Myriad, for example, is one of my favorites, and one that's used incorrectly quite often. Like a brave, stubborn Jersey girl, it stands alone, with no need for articles or prepositions.
Because we are human, however, we're still apt to misuse a word or phrase ourselves, or even (gasp!) misspell a word or use its not-so-identical twin homonym by mistake. This happens most often when we're tired or in a hurry (or when autocorrect takes over) but, if I'm being truly honest, it can happen any time. Luckily, for the loquacious among us, sheer quantity is in our favor, ensuring that we get it right much of the time.
Words are amazing. Written on the page in no particular order, they make little to no sense but, when paired properly and gathered with precision, they can create a thing of beauty.
And that's part of what keeps this writer writing.
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