K. Wordbird Bate   The Writer's Coach

     As a writer you're no doubt in love with many things and people. You're in love with books, with authors, with fresh ideas, with being surprised and moved. You're in love with conversation, opinions, obstacles and world events. You're in love with a genre-science fiction, mystery, romance, horror, western, literary, essay, journaling, news...and so many others. You may be in love with poetry, the sound of people speaking, and the melody of songs or festivals. You are probably in love with at least one of the arts and sciences-you love rocks or rivers or clouds. You love history or religion or philosophy. You love reptiles or Panda bears or gardening. The heart of a writer is sensitive, responsive, and full.

      It's likely you fall in love several times a week-with a profound photograph, an expressive face, someone on the news, a teacher who took time to listen to you, that person playing with a dog in the park. You also downright hate and condemn some things, because a heart that feels deeply feels all things deeply.

     You might feel all or none of these things. It's certain though you do have one deep, enduring love. That is passion for the written word. 

To become more intimate with and skilled in relationship with that love, here's an exercise that is fun and improves your skills:

1. Make a list of five beautiful passages you have heard or read. Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream," or any other speech, the first paragraph of a book you love, even a stanza from a song that's beautiful or rich in meaning.

2. Write it down. Incredibly, just writing down beautiful language will improve your skills with language. Writing long hand will do more for you.

3. Analyze why the words are powerful and effective.

4. Finally, rewrite the paragraph in a way that is not effective. Like this, out of Barney's Version by Mordecai Richler:

One of my neighbors, once a feared federal cabinet minister but now in his eighties, has gone gaga. He is still a natty dresser, never without his tweed hat, regimental tie, hacking jacket, and cavalry twill trousers. But his eyes have emptied out.

Rewrite, ineffective:  I live by a guy who always wears a hat and tie. He used to be a federal cabinet minister a long time ago. He's old, and acting weird. His eyes are blank when I look at them.

      Remember that a free write might sound just like that. Mordecai's first draft on a paper napkin could have sounded like that. Free writing is just getting the ideas out there on paper. Being in love with words though, means going that next step.     

     Ask yourself why Richler chose the exact words he did, and notice how each word makes you feel. Notice the image it conjures, the curiosity it may rouse. Can you picture this man Richler describes? What words create the picture, and how? Why is "gone gaga" so fascinating, where "acting weird," is not?  Try to feel the power of his specific word choices, and bask in the love they give you back.  

     Find four more paragraphs--just grab anything that deeply moves you--Read them aloud, pull apart and analyze the words, then rewrite using different word choices. Like the face of a loved one, as you study it and learn, you'll come to know the intricacies and special expressions, of words you love.

Let Yourself Bloom!