I want to be a writer. I don’t need to be a famous writer or one who makes a living at writing, but I do want to make good use of my words.
Some people who know me would probably say that I’m already a writer, but I want to be a real writer. At this point in my “writing” career, I’m probably just a fake writer or maybe an alternate writer.
Last year I set a goal of posting a blog at least once a month. However, January has slipped by me, and I produced no blog. I obviously missed my mark.
My real writer friends encourage me to write. They inspire me. Their words make me think.
Whether my own writing is real or fake, I do know that everyone’s words are important. I love words. Rick Bragg produces poetic words. Fannie Flagg forms funny expressions with her words. Amy Parker uses simple, but profound words in her children’s books. Veronica Roth gets creative with her weird words.
Truman Capote once described his greatest pleasure in writing as “the inner music the words make.” If only we could all make our words sound like music!
Several years ago I read a book called Silver Boxes by Florence Littauer. Based on Ephesians 4:29, this book focuses on sharing words of kindness and encouragement. “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” (NIV)
Everything we say and do should be presented to others like an attractive package, shiny and valuable, and one that is welcomed by the receiver.
In other words, we should weigh our words and think about them before we use them. According to Shakespeare, “Words without thoughts never to heaven go.”
According to Lord Byron, “A drop of ink may make a million think.”
I think I’m more of a reader than a writer. Nonetheless, I am a lover of words.
