The Impact of Words

Writing Tip of the Day: March 21, 2008

Whether you write an email, a manuscript, a query letter or a book proposal,

never forget the positive or negative impact of your words.

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The positive or negative impact of words. Yes. I do seem to be stuck on this topic. As I've said in a previous post, we brandish words about, at times, with rare thought to the consequences. And once said, we are forever left defending them. Right or Wrong. Night or Day. Light or Dark. Matter or Anti-matter. [OK--- So I stretched a bit!]

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Words are one's legacy. They are echoes of who we are, were, and/or strive to be. Words are said or written, in the moment. Breath by never-ending breath. Words make or break promises. And until we are all Enlightened, and on the same page, we will be forever judged by them. If we were to consider words as sacred, each and every one, how more careful would we be?

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We use words to judge or patronize. We offer them in prayer or to praise. We offer them up to gossip and hate; to seduce and/or ensnare. Words are the most powerful means of communication; whether spoken or etched upon finely crafted pulp, in stone, or across a digital screen face.

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Historians have used words to either chronicle, embellish, and/or hide the truth; depending on whether they be the conquerors or conquered. Writers plaque their readers with riddles and mind games. They use words to entertain; taking readers to another time, imagined worlds, or far-and-away lands. They also use them to report, inform, expose, or enrage; to teach, provoke thought, or confuse. And then they sign their works; whether by true name or nom de plume. While yet others brag about or ridicule anonymously via the world wide web.

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Positive or Negative. We are all the Judge. And therein lies, regardless the verbiage, responsibility to use them wisely.

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