I recently got a bad review (ooh, and how those are like a knife through the heart!) that boiled down to, my story had too many words.
I brooded for awhile, ate some chocolate, and contemplated why the review stung. It’s because I’m a wordy girl. I love words. I like words that stand alone—Moon. Isn’t that a lovely word? If I repeat it to myself enough times, it becomes vague and silly and wonderful—and I especially love words strung together as story.
I’m a fairly quiet person in real life, but on the page I run amok with words. I can’t stop myself.
My heroes just roll their eyes. They tend toward the strong, silent type. After losing your soul to a repentant demon, maybe there’s not much left to say. And anyway, they save their breath for slaying the decidedly non-repentant demons creeping into the world of the Marked Souls.
They wouldn’t be stopped by a bad review.
So, in the spirit of my heroes, I’m on a campaign to write more words. And I’m calling on you to join me.
See, some random thoughts came to me as I brooded: This has been a hard year for many people, not just financially but emotionally. The holidays are meant to be spent with friends, family and good cheer, and yet some people feel more alone than ever. With the explosion of Facebook and Twitter, we send out more status updates to strangers than to our grandparents.
So here’s my dastardly plan to loose more words upon the world: This gift-giving season, forget the socks (unless you really like socks) and write a letter to your loved ones.
I know, I know. Pen and paper? With words? How quaint! But as a writer in love with words, I’m urging you to just give it a try.
Here’s how:
1. Buy paper and a pen. Since this is your only expense, maybe splurge a little. Not on the pen necessarily, since it just needs to be comfortable and flow nicely. But the paper can be something nice. It could be pretty note cards with matching envelopes, or you can find all sorts of gorgeous papers from craft supply stores and just cut them into squares. Or circles, whatever makes you happy.
2. On separate pieces of scrap paper, write down the names of people you want to give letters. Make a list or a word cloud (a free-form bubble of words) about the person to brainstorm what you’ll write. You might think about:
– Nicknames and pet names
– Your favorite quality about the person: Quiet strength? Big laugh? Lots of hugs?
– A funny or touching moment: Remember that time at the pizza parlor?
– Some way they helped you or made you think: A word of advice? A full-ride to university?
– What they mean to you: Love? Friendship? Support?
3. Give yourself a little time to think about what you want to say but don’t worry about being perfect. The holidays are the best time of year for pure, heart-felt sentiment. Did anybody hold back in It’s A Wonderful Life? No, and you don’t have to either.
4. Now write. It doesn’t have to be long. In fact (and this is hard for me to say) shorter can be sweeter. My XY writes a poem every year to send out with our Christmas cards—I’d have to send a Christmas novella—and it’s only a paragraph or two long. Feel free to cut up your pretty paper into whatever size you need to hold your words.
5. Don’t forget the kids on your list. Sure, they want Wii 2.0 or whatever, but I still have a note my dad wrote to me. Just a few short lines of encouragement I needed once, and I keep it on my writing altar as a reminder.
Yeah, this might be harder than buying socks. It’s often harder to give time and thought and a bit of yourself. If you feel funny about sharing your feelings, you can always tuck your letter into the socks. Or you can just blame me, the wordy girl. But imagine, if everybody in the world wrote letters to the people they loved… And if everyone they loved wrote back…
Wow, that’s a lot of words.
To get the words rolling, have you ever received a letter that you kept? Is there a letter you’d like to write? Can you give us a couple of the words you’d say that might inspire us to start writing?
One random commenter will receive a signed copy of SEDUCED BY SHADOWS (with all its many words), a custom @1 temporary tattoo (inside joke from the book), and a pair of Possession In Pearl earrings inspired by the storyworld. Chapter 1 of SEDUCED BY SHADOWS is online at http://jessaslade.com and a free short story, “Boys’ Night Out,” introducing those strong and silent heroes is exclusive at Borders http://www.tinyurl.com/MarkedSoulsPrequel
CrystalGB
December 4th, 2009 at
8:40 am
Hi Jessica. I have kept letters that my husband has written. I like to go back and read them. They always make me smile.
RKCharron
December 4th, 2009 at
11:30 am
Hi Jessa
Thank you for the lovely post.
I wrote letters to my children in case I die, detailing all the advice I could think to give them for life, relationships, etc.
All the best,
RKCharron
xoxo
Jill Sorenson
December 4th, 2009 at
11:45 am
When my husband and I first started dating, he went to Canada to work for two months. For a 17 and 18 year old, it seemed like a lifetime apart, LOL. He kept all of the letters I sent. I don’t know what I did with his!
Too many words, bah. I’ve often complained about too few. As a writer, I like to give readers their money’s worth. As a reader, a slightly thicker book pleases my frugal nature.
My favorite words in this comment: slightly thicker!
Jessa Slade
December 4th, 2009 at
11:58 am
Crystal, call me old-fashioned, but I like old letters in the same way I like looking through actual photograph albums. There’s something lovely about the physical process.
Hi, RKCharron! Advice letters are great! Sometimes I think those are even better than in-person advice because you can absorb them when you’re ready. Not that I’ve ever been close-minded about advice. Ahem.
Jill, 2 months IS forever! And I’m with you on slightly thicker. Books, that is
Eva S
December 4th, 2009 at
12:32 pm
My husband used to be away a lot when we were younger and I’ve kept all his letters, I love to reread them! I’m not so good at writing letters myself…
As for books I love them with many, many words!
Natasha A.
December 4th, 2009 at
12:38 pm
I have some emails that hubby and I first exchanged when we started dating.
I also keep a journal. And this is a journal that I write everything in, including issues (good and bad) I am having with hubby. He then reads it after I am done writing. Since I am not always good at expressing myself verbally, this allows me to communicate with him.
Kristine Cayne
December 4th, 2009 at
12:53 pm
Hi Jessa,
I totally agree with you – the more words the better
I wrote a letter to my first niece when she was born, I was only 18 at the time so it was a big deal to me. My sister kept it and gave it to her a few years ago.
I also wrote lots of letters to my husband when we were apart in the early years. I had to type them though because he never could read my long hand. LOL
Thanks for the great ideas.
Kristine
Kristina G
December 4th, 2009 at
3:14 pm
Well I always write to my husband when I’m mad at him LOL…sometimes I get to mad to actually remember what I wanted to scream at him about. Other than that I’d really want to write a LONG….”too many words” letter to my ex
Anna Shah Hoque
December 4th, 2009 at
5:33 pm
Hey Jessa,
I’ve always been so bad with writing letters…I love buying the stationery but when it comes to actually going through with it…I sputter and stop like a rusty old jalopy. LOL
I might write a write & rip to pieces letter to get some emos out the system. Hmm…now I must go dig up some decent letterpad to do so…
Ciao Bella
Happy Reading
Sherry
December 4th, 2009 at
8:09 pm
I have some letter that my friends wrote me on summer vacation when I was still in school. I also have letters that my brother wrote to me when he was in basic training.
Stacy Stewart
December 4th, 2009 at
8:18 pm
Hey Jessa,
I have saved every letter that my husband wrote me when he was in the service, including all the letters that he wrote me before we were married. I also, saved every card from high school until now-17 years later.
I recently pulled out those letters and reread some. Rereading all those letter put butterflies in my stomach. I could publish them, they’re so romantic. And, I’m not just saying that because I’m partial.
Keep writing those words,
Stacy
Armenia
December 4th, 2009 at
8:44 pm
Hi Jessa, I saved every love letter my DH wrote me and he saved mine. We had a long distance romance before we married and I kind of miss writing. The thoughts really just pour out when you write as opposed to speaking on the phone. Its easier to get really poetic, I think, when you write and less awkward when you’re face to face with family and friends.
On the word count thing, do you think anyone said that to Diana Gabaldon when she wrote her novels, hmm? Like, “Hey, Diana, too wordy.” I don’t think so.
Beverly G
December 4th, 2009 at
11:54 pm
Hi Jessa I have alot of the letters people have written me and if i wer eto write a letter to someone else which i have a few times but the letter would start alils omething likethis
I know its been a while since we last spoke. I am just writing to tell you I still care .
mary
December 5th, 2009 at
1:40 am
I have alot of letter, notes and cards from family. I have a letter my mom wrote to me when I was just 12 years old and I was living in another state with my grandma at the time.
I have an entire box filled with notes, cards and letters from my hubby.
I have one post card from my gramdma to my dad that is so old you can barely make out the writing.
I still write letters…lol I have to because some of my family members aren’t into computers and so a letter or phone call is the only way to talk to them.
Jessa Slade
December 5th, 2009 at
2:14 am
Eva, thank you for supporting my love of lots of words. I think anybody getting a letter from a loved one agrees more words extolling your loveableness is better
Natasha, what a great idea to use the journal to get your feelings out, not just for yourself but for your sweetie. Words as knives, not to hurt, but to get to the heart of the matter.
Kristine, I read an article recently with exercises for adults to improve their handwriting… Yeah, I said I READ it
Jessa Slade
December 5th, 2009 at
2:21 am
Kristina, when I fight with my XY, I have to be careful how I use my words. Writing keeps them nice and shiny…
Anna, perfectionism stops me too. I hereby release you from your perfectionism!
Sherry, there’s a site — warletters.com — that has info on preserving letters from soldiers. Might interest some.
Jessa Slade
December 5th, 2009 at
2:24 am
Stacy, love letters and butterflies go beautifully together!
Lol, Armenia. I can imagine what how pale the editor got when that manuscript came in. That would’ve been in the “old days” when we still had to print out on paper. A full ream of paper printed out can look pretty overwhelming.
Jessa Slade
December 5th, 2009 at
2:28 am
Beverly, simple words are the best sometimes. That’s a lesson I can always stand to learn. Thanks for the reminder.
Mary, I have a couple old photographs too, where the notes on the back are smudged and faded. How can we recreate that same feeling of time and nostalgia — melancholy sometimes — when the pixels we use now stay fresh and bright and clear forever?
Ooh, must be getting late. I’m getting philosophical
Shelli
December 5th, 2009 at
9:24 am
Hey, Jessa! Thanks for guest blogging at Naughty and Spice! I loved signing next to you at ECWC! I really should write a letter by hand, but OMG I have the worst handwriting. THE WORST. Could barely read my jury notes
Donna S
December 5th, 2009 at
10:45 pm
Great post. I remember I wrote one letter by hand in college and really let someone have it. But I have never received one I wanted to keep. It really is almost a lost art form nowadays.
Terri
December 6th, 2009 at
3:07 pm
Hi Jessa,
Great post and I’m sorry to hear you got a bad review!
I still have the pen pal letters I got from grade school and high school.
Shelli
December 10th, 2009 at
8:44 am
Sorry in the delay in posting the winner! Randomly drawn winner is: Kristina G. Please email her at jessasladeauthor@gmail.com