What I Really Meant To Say Was…
As Joanna Young says, “words count”. The trouble is they also count when they’re in the wrong spot, or used incorrectly. They count because they’re there, either superfluous or ill at ease. They even count when they’re misunderstood as in my school French fiasco.
Ah… but when we get it right… that’s when magic happens, as words connect and fall into place like a wondrous jigsaw. Here’s to the power of words to persuade, inform and entertain us!
This is my entry in Brad Shorr’s Word Sell Writing Contest.
Hi Yvonne
Names give me a fear of getting them wrong - which of course means it’s more likely you will!
Spelling can be tricky too esp with so much variation between different versions of one apparently common language. I’d spell check “cheque” for example, unless I was running a spell check
Joanna
Yvonne, kudos for highlighting the importance of attention to detail in writing. Sales people soliciting business from me have spelled my name Shore, Schor, Schorr … one time instead of Brad I got, Bread. (That person was really “loafing” on the job.) Thank you so much for participating in the contest!
Yvonne,
In writing, words do indeed “count”–in more ways than one! As any freelance writer knows, aside from the writer’s normal job of making every word “count,” adhering to “word counts” is also a necessity and requires a real balancing act, as we attempt to say all that we need to say, say it well, and still not write more words than our client is willing to pay for!
Cheers!
Jeanne
Hi Joanna
Names are especially tricky and it’s easy to make assumptions about the correct spelling. Even first names e.g. Madeline, Madeleine, Madalyn have so many variations.
Hi Brad
LOL… on the “loafing” writer.
Hi Jeanne
The word count issue is an interesting one… reaching designated word counts. I usually find it easier to cut it back than try to add in more words.
Some people want an absolutely exact word count. That’s quite hard sometimes.
Mar 7th, 2008 at 9:31 am
[…] I decided to enter this as I always enjoy a writing challenge. Here’s my entry - What I Really Meant To Say Was… Tags: , , brad shorr, group writing project, home business contests, word sellsShare This Related […]
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