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A Word about Words...
& Writers...& Other Humans
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At a recent writers conference, I attended a number of workshops dealing with many facets of the fiction-writing process. Once again I was impressed by the generosity of the presenters,
all gifted and successful writers, who shared the type of wisdom and expertise that can cause a breakthrough for a less experienced novelist trapped in the mid-manuscript mire of a multi-year writing adventure.
In addition to conferences, in order to improve our craft we novelists are constantly reading other fiction as well as books about specific aspects of writing. To varying degrees, we absorb, discard, or customize the information contained in the instructional titles. But occasionally we latch on to an approach we know is just right for us, the very thing we've been missing. A unique gem that lights the path toward a much stronger manuscript.
I was fortunate to find such a gem. There are so many different voices out there on how to structure a novel that a lot of what I'd read never really sank in. But then I came across just the right book, just the right approach. Unfortunately, my enlightenment on the subject occurred after my manuscript was completed and had undergone a number of revisions.
Yikes. I had a lot of work ahead of me. But I was thrilled that I finally knew what the problems were. And when I was done, I also knew that my manuscript was on a firmer foundation and was throwing out little sparks of magic that didn't exist before.
A single workshop or a single chapter in a book about writing can change everything for a novelist. And during the two days it took for me to drive home from the conference, I kept thinking how the same type of thing happens in our everyday interactions with others.
It takes just a few spoken or written words to destroy a friendship...or a marriage. And just a few words to encourage or inspire someone whose future hangs in the balance. Words are packed with power, for good or ill, and I cringe now knowing there surely were instances when I could have but didn't offer someone the type of gift that those generous writers have so often given to me.
But from now on, I'm going to focus on keeping my eyes and my heart open so I don't miss any more of those opportunities.
Who has given you the gift of just the right words when you needed them most?