The Seduction of Words
Why do we write? Is it simply to convey a story or to seduce and lure the reader with magic? We all have the power to play and entice with words, to draw our reader closer to our story-whether we’re selling carpet or writing works of literary fiction. The key is to do it well.
I love words, I love the literal process of writing words on paper and the sounds of well spoken words; hearing words allows me to process the story in a different way. Storytelling is an art and was our original way of passing stories from one generation to the next. If we lose the ability to tell our stories, we will lose some of the magic of life. Just as our ability to write with fluidity and grace is essential to the continuation of the written word.
I’ve long been a fan of reading aloud and read to my children for many years. I have fond memories of the three of us, the oldest pretending he was too old to participate, sitting on the sofa together while I read The Wind in the Willow. We went on to read the Redwall series by Brian Jacques and ended with Bram Stoker’s Dracula-my youngest and I taking turns reading aloud. After that book, it stopped, probably due to his age and the allure of other diversions. I miss reading aloud and my ultimate fantasy of the ideal relationship includes the two of us, sitting on the couch, feet in each other’s laps, reading aloud to each other.
So, imagine my delight when I came upon this video, shared by my friend over at Barely Knit Together. She’s a wordsmith of the highest order; her stories are beautifully written with exquisite phrasing and vivid scenes. The video features Stephen Fry with his delightful British accent talking about language. Enchanting to listen to as well as watch the way the words dance across the screen.
Enjoy.
image from Reconnections (dot) net
Positively delightful. I love the scathing way Mr. Fry speaks of the apostrophe police (those pedants, as he says). Also, just as an aside, one of the reasons I write is to keep my mind sharp, lest I drift solely into toddler-speak.
Isn’t it wonderful, I have to listen to it again and see what others he has recorded.
I hear ya on the toddler speak thing!
What a great post – I say Bravo!
I will continue to wear my version of “the shirt” as well as being mindful of words- what they say, what they don’t say, and how they “dance” (love that one)
the photo reminds me how some books wrap me in the words – perfect =]
exactly what I wanted to convey.
Walker,
This is wonderful. The animation of the living words by the sound of Stephen Fry reminds me that there’s a delightful world of imagination and unique amusement. Writing is a beautiful way to create alter worlds, where my characters often help me going in and out of the search of infinity.
Thanks for the post and the photo that describes very well how comfortable words are for all of us!
Have a nice day!
It is pretty cool, isn’t it. Glad you liked it.
what a delightful video! i need to pass it on to my sister-in-law. A word lover!
Walker— your site is beautiful—- it is so good to connect with other ‘outrageous older women’ who love words: the sound, the feel, the power, the beauty of letters on a page, or rolling off the tongue or singing! It’s all music, isn’t it?
Hi,
Thank you, I’m so glad you like it. I’m always happy to have other outrageous older women around . I love the phrase ‘it’s all music’, so true.
Oh, you reminded me of all the nights I sat squeezed between my two youngest, reading aloud. The oldest got impatient to read on his own when he was 9, but the others stuck with me until junior high and Harry Potter…they didn’t want to have to wait for me, or go one chapter at a time. I don’t blame them and I was happy they gave me that many years! I’m even more happy that they are all passionate readers (there’s that word again
I haven’t seen the video yet – I’ll have to wait until this evening, but I’m sure it’s good!
One of my sons is a reader, the other not so much.. he’s a ‘doer’. But, I think he must have an appreciation and hopefully he’s passing on the bedtime reading to his daughters.
It’s a pretty wonderful memory isn’t it.