by Naomi L. | May 19, 2014 | Blog, Word of the Week |
Word: alienate
Pronunciation: AY-lee-ə-nayt
Part of Speech: verb
Definition: make (someone) feel isolated or estranged
Source: Oxford Dictionaries
This is one of those words I learned in elementary school, and every time I see it, I’m reminded of my first impression of it. I’m sure I wasn’t the only student in the class who initially thought it was some sci-fi verb that meant something along the lines of “turn into an alien”. Of course, what I didn’t realize at the time was that the term “alien” has a much broader definition than the extraterrestrials we know so well from science fiction, and that root is the key to understanding what this verb really means.
To “alienate” someone is to figuratively push them away to the point where they feel isolated. The word comes from the Latin verb alienare, meaning “to estrange”. This word stems from the adjective alienus, which means “foreign” or “belonging to another”.
Additional meanings of the word “alienate” include the complementary definition “cause (someone) to become unsympathetic or hostile”, as well as the legal definition “transfer ownership of (property rights) to another person or group”. I myself much prefer the most common meaning mentioned above, but these extra ones are certainly worth noting too, especially if you write plenty of legal terms and/or emotionally heavy scenes. It’s up to you which definition you want to use; what matters most is that it happens exclusively among your characters, while you avoid “alienating” your readers with poor quality writing!
What are your thoughts on this word? Any suggestions for future “Word of the Week” featured words?
by Naomi L. | May 16, 2014 | J.C. Wolfe's Writing, Poetry |
I’m so sick.
I’m tired.
Did I fail?
Have I done anything right?
Am I doing anything right?
What do my feelings count for?
Anything?
Are they worthless?
Am I worthless?
No, I’m not.
I hate feeling so lonely.
I don’t talk to anyone.
But I want to.
I miss talking to someone.
I just want to be heard.
Is there any respect for me?
For how I feel?
I feel undermined,
Without value.
I’m afraid.
I’ve brought this on myself
Because I’m afraid.
Afraid of what they will say.
I don’t want their advice sometimes.
I just want someone to listen.
I’ve been reduced to talking to myself.
Because I feel like only I hear me.
Someone please listen.
Please listen.
Please.
I feel so alone.
I’m not like you.
My feelings don’t go away
With just a smile.
They come back,
Even worse,
If left unshared.
They must be set free.
I can’t let go.
I’m not like you.
I can’t let go
Of my sadness
And anger
And fear,
Not by myself.
I have to release them
To the world.
I want to scream,
And break things,
And hurt myself
When I’m left alone too long.
The feelings build up inside me,
And I can’t let them go by myself.
They have nowhere to go,
So they come back.
They need somewhere to go.
So I need to be heard.
I need someone to listen,
And not make me afraid to speak.
Do not undermine me.
Do not belittle my emotions.
Respect me.
They are big to me,
They are important to me.
Listen,
And they will be set free.
And I will be free.
While feeling particularly blue one day, I decided to turn my angst into a writing exercise. I took a pencil and a sheet of paper and just kept writing nonstop until I reached the bottom of the page. This is what came out. The poem is made purely of raw emotion; the only editing I did was to arrange one long paragraph into poetic verses. I hope you enjoy what I’ve written. Thanks for reading!
by Naomi L. | May 14, 2014 | Blog, Creative Writing |
After a whole series of long posts, I think now is a good time to unwind with a short one. Lately I’ve written quite a bit of poetry, and I find it’s a format that I really enjoy working with. So continuing on the same line as my flash fiction post, here’s a brief list of reasons I believe poetry is an art that every writer should try at least once. Note that this list is based entirely on personal experience, so if you disagree with any points or would like to add some of your own, feel free to weigh in! Enjoy!
Why Writing Poetry is Good for You
1) It’s a form of free writing. True, all creative writing can be considered “free”, but even the simplest stories still need to follow a basic structure to be complete. Poems, however, don’t really come with universal rules. They can cover any subject matter. They don’t have to tell a story. They don’t have to rhyme. They don’t even have to make sense! All you need is a simple idea, and your imagination is free to run with it until it becomes a full piece. It’s wonderfully liberating to write without the restrictions of prose. And who knows? You may just learn something about yourself in the process. I usually do.
2) It’s a gateway for inspiration. Sometimes writing a short piece without inhibitions is just what you need to find inspiration for a longer work like a short story or a novel. Creating poetry has given me extra motivation for stories, and some ideas have even been converted from the former to the latter format during writing. Though many of my poems are written just for fun, they also help me break creative blocks and open the door to new and greater ideas, even if (or especially when) that was never my intention. Take note: if you often suffer from writer’s block, a good poem or two may be the spark that will get you back on track.
3) It’s an emotional release. This is one of the main reasons I write poetry. Sometimes I have so many emotions built up inside me that I just have to set them free somehow, and poetry is usually a great release for those feelings. More than once, I’ve managed to relieve negative emotions by turning them into a poem. So if you’re ever feeling down, try using your feelings as poetic inspiration. It may not solve your problem, but at least you may feel better afterwards.
4) It exercises the mind. I’m sure many prose writers who try their hand at poetry find that it’s not as easy as it may seem. Writing poems is quite different from writing stories, and that means it requires a different way of thinking. You have to train your mind to get into a rhythm, to feel the flow of the words and see the imagery in the lines. Stanza poems can be especially tricky because of the added challenge of rhyme, but even free verse poetry takes real skill to write well. If poetry isn’t your niche, you may enjoy it for the challenge of trying something different, and for the lessons it can teach you to help improve your writing in your regular format.
5) It’s relaxing. If for no other reason, write poetry because it feels good! Poems can be a lot of fun to write, especially when you don’t put pressure on yourself to make them perfect. If you like poetry simply for the beautiful art it is, then write for the fulfillment it brings you, and let the above reasons naturally make it all the more enjoyable. Have fun!
What about you? Do you write poetry? If so, why do (or don’t) you enjoy it?
by Naomi L. | May 12, 2014 | Blog, Word of the Week |
Word: inauspicious
Pronunciation: i-nah-SPI-shəs
Part of Speech: adjective
Definition: not conducive to success; unpromising; unlucky
Source: Oxford Dictionaries
Oh, here / Will I set up my everlasting rest, / And shake the yoke of inauspicious stars / From this world-wearied flesh.
– Romeo Montague, Romeo & Juliet (5.3.109-112) (William Shakespeare)
Recognize this excerpt? If you ever had to study Shakespeare in high school (or you’re a nerd like me who just reads Shakespeare for fun), you should remember this quote from Romeo’s final monologue in the timeless play Romeo & Juliet. There are probably a dozen words from this monologue alone that could have made it into my vocabulary segment, but I decided to start with “inauspicious” because it’s in my favorite part of Romeo’s speech. Maybe it’s me, but a Shakespearean tragedy just doesn’t feel complete without at least one character criticizing the misfortunates brought on by fate.
Anything “inauspicious” is not favorable to good fortune. The word is derived from the archaic noun “auspice”, which means “a divine or prophetic token”. This word comes from the Latin noun auspicium “divination”, which in turn stems from the noun auspex “diviner by birds”, as divination in the 16th century involved observing bird flight.
While planning for this post, I actually had a choice between the positive and the negative form: “auspicious” or “inauspicious”. Not to seem too “glass-half-empty”, but I opted to go with “inauspicious” because of the reference to my favorite play. That’s why I find the latter word a little more poetic, though one could just as easily use the former for the opposite definition. Perhaps you’d prefer to write about “auspicious” events if your plots tend to run a more fortunate course, or maybe you’re like Shakespeare and often have “inauspicious” circumstances drive your characters to a tragic end. Either way, I think both words sound quite elegant, so it’s up to you to fit them to the tone of your stories. Choose wisely!
What are your thoughts on this word? Any suggestions for future “Word of the Week” featured words?
by Naomi L. | May 9, 2014 | J.C. Wolfe's Writing, Poetry |
Is there a way I can thank you for all you’ve done for me?
Letting me grow up free while keeping me safe?
Opening so many doors for me throughout my childhood?
Voicing lessons that I could take with me for life?
Encouraging me every day to succeed?
Your love is the greatest blessing of all, for
Only you do everything to make me the best I can be, yet
Understand how to love me just the way I am.
Many things you’ve done for me, but I do have
One way to say thank you:
Mommy, I love you!
Happy Mother’s Day to my amazing mom! Thank you for everything you’ve ever done for me, and what you continue to do for me every day! God bless you always! I love you!
Recent Comments