A Question for Writers: Are You Addicted to the Words?
Ah, Sweet Addiction
Writers wallow in words. In fact, they are addicted to words. Webster defines addiction as "being abnormally tolerant to and dependent on something such as alcohol or drugs." The addiction may not show as you sit beside a writer, engaged in pleasant, banal conversation. You may not guess that all the while the words of the next story, poem or lyrics to a song are flowing through them like water down a river, sometimes turbulent if the words come to fast; sometimes almost stagnant when the words are slow to emerge or are elusive and slippery to the grasp.
Those scary moments, when the words are elusive, happen to be the hardest time of all.That is the precise moment the addiction shows it ugly face so vividly. The fix - the right words - isn't there; words can't be recalled or retrieved. Writers face the ultimate in agitation, aggression, restlessness and other symptoms of withdrawal when right words are out of grasp.
Words make statements and express thoughts to be shared with others. Words hold the power to change actions and beliefs. Words can change the world or a single individual.
If there is a doubt about what words can do, examine some of the great speeches throughout time or look at the first written words of a preschooler. Think of great speeches through time: Martin Luther King, Abraham Lincoln. Or think of the books, good, bad, ugly or indifferent that have been passed down through time.
Words uplift, tear down or are simply neutral. There is a reason the pen is mightier than the sword. It puts the words to paper; it creates. Swords mostly destroy.
Words can entertain, make you laugh, or heal the sick. Love affairs die or flourish on the basis of words. Shakespeare knew and captured this better than anyone.
This poem is an expression of the writer's attachment - no, addiction - to words.
Word Junkie
I am addicted to words;
It's so very simple.
I like to watch the words
trip across the page,
Filling space unoccupied -
blank, lifeless -
Bringing into existence whole new worlds,
new universes, new beings,
Writing them into shape and form.
Little words...
big meanings - hate, love, no, you, us, them.
Big words...
tiny meanings - obfuscate, ubiquitous.
No matter; they paint a picture,
Tell a story,
Call masses to action...or soothe a soul.
Tear down, create; the words well done or not,
Once spoken cannot be retrieved.
In the beginning...
in the end
Is the word, always the word.
© 2013 Cynthia B Turner
Comments
With words writers build phrases and sentences; with those, they build paragraphs and stanzas; with those, they build scenes, images, points of argument or instruction, and with those they build stories, novels, plays, poems, essays. The addiction is to getting the work right. A word may help form the final edifice or may be erased, crossed out, or deleted. The work's the thing.
Cyndi10,
Wouldn't it be great for us to be able to write words that are inegmatic? Just a thought.
Hi, Cyndi10 and suzettenaples,
I hope you both are doing well tonight and enjoying a peaceful evening.
LOL! I love your poem and your message is right on. Where would we be without words? You are so right, they can make or break a relationship. It is all in how we use them. I enjoyed reading this.
Cyndi10,
Greetings! I, too must confess. I am addicted to words. I love this hub. You capture the world of the writer perfectly. It is difficult to explain to those who do not have this addiction why one can give up an entire day searching for just the right word to complete that poem, story, etc...
Voted Up/Shared/Pinned.
Thank You,
ocfireflies aka Kim
I tried reading Word Junkie really fast like Rap God and it was a blast. You should give it a try.
Loved, loved this!! sending it around and hope you are doing well
Hi cyndi, my name is John and I am addicted to words. I read one of your comments on billybuc's hub and thought I'd have a look at your hubs. I like your range of topics but was drawn to this one first. I couldn't express these sentiments better myself, and your poem says it all. All true writers are addicted to words and go into withdrawal if the words don't come for a period. Loved this hub and off to read about the Mary Celeste next. Voted up.
My word, Cyndi!......these words coming around again.....makes me know I have some words for you!.....Addiction? You said it! In fact, you put the words in print!! Thank you.
Peek-a-boo Michael. We have to stop meeting like this. People will talk.....giggle.
Words ARE addictive!
There's so much more I can convey in a well-written letter than an actual in person conversation. Their a gateway of expression that will never go out of style. Thanks for sharing this Cyndi, I want to 'follow' if that's okay?
Sorry, I'm like a Hubpage vampire, I must be welcomed and invited in to cross the threshold. =)
....Hi Paula....I see you in the middle there!
A lovely, truthful and light-hearted view of our craft! Well done.
Flourish . . .
Polish, a distinguished people.
Polish, to make silver or metal shine.
Bow, to bend from the waist as a gesture of respect.
Bow, a pretty knot in a pretty piece of fabric to adorn a gift.
These words use to bother me. Not now.
I love words, too, and all of their slices of meaning, their nuances and the rare ones that only well-read others know. It's like a secret club when you catch someone using one correctly.
You are very welcome, Cundi10.
Please keep in touch and have a safe week.
Your Friend,
Kenneth
Hi, Cyndi10,
How nice, you checking my hubs. Thank you so very much. I appreciate you doing that.
Here's hoping that you have a peaceful week.
Talk to you soon.
Kenneth
Dear Cyndi10,
Absolutely fantastic hub. From one word addict to another. Voted up and all the choices. Really. I am into things that have new words or exciting synonyms. When I get an urge for a "Word Fix," I pull-up Hunter S. Thompson's essays and I am well again.
I cordially-invite you to check two of my hubs and then be a follower of me. I would love it.
Sincerely,
Kenneth/ from northwest Alabama
Beautiful poem, Cyndi! A great tribute to the love of language (yes, I share that with you). Happy weekend :)
Love this poem and it is oh so true! Words are important and the essence to life and writing for me. I remember in college, all English majors shuddered at the thought of taking a linguistics course, but I loved it - the study of words and how our language works really opened up writing for me. Thanks so much for this delightful poem!
Cyndi.......In a WORD? Fabulous!! UP+++
Hi Cyndi,
What a clever write on words and how the writer is addicted to them for sure!
You certainly do have a way with words as you are truly a gifted writer without a doubt.
Up and more and sharing
Have a great evening,
Faith Reaper
So true! Maybe all writers are so addicted?? I would like to think so anyway--you stated it perfectly!
Simple composition to convey a big meaning, all with the art of playing with 'Words'--So well done!
Thanks!
I do love words! Enjoyed the poem.
I could so relate. I'm not a fan of numbers, but words tend to rock my world :)
Hi Cyndi,
The way you use words is a true art.
Voted up +++
Take care
Love your play on words. Your poetry is addictive.
Indeed, words. We love to play with them, twist them, turn them and sometimes they play with us don't they? They will turn our thoughts right around and make a whole new story!
Cyndi10, voted up, awesome, interesting, and shared on FB. I don't know which I'm addicted, words or numbers. I remember writing a newspaper at 6-7 years old. It's hard telling what it said, but I sold then for a dime apiece. I've always had that passion, as explained in your awesome poem. Best wishes always:)
We're all addicted to words here, but we couldn't all express it as well as you have here. In admiration, I'm lost for words - well, almost.
Cyndi what a wonderful idea, clever.. kind of easy for you to pull it off..:) voted awesome
So so true, I do have a love affair with words. I think the are alive. My first published writing was about the Alphabet and the formation of words. I was 11 years old. I still love manipulating and forming letters into words, words into sentences. It's madness isn't it? Excellent poem, I so relate. Voted up and awesome.
Absolutely addicted. Words make it all happen for those of us who just love to manipulate them, don't they?
Cleverly expressed.
have a lovely Saturday
Angels are on the way to you this morning ps
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