I'm a day late on my post for the Christian Writer's blog chain...so sorry to all the people out there for being late TWO MONTHS IN A ROW! Arg! When I gave my date I didn't realize it was a Tuesday...the busiest day of my week. And then working on schoolwork (which I'm trying desperately to finish before vacation) made me busier still! So, the result is that I completely forgot about this post. My bad.
Anyway, I did remember and here I am, trying to snatch a few minutes out of yet another BUSY day! Wow. My life right now is heeecktic.
So. Without further ado...swirling.
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This is the blog chain of Christian Writers, and I have a writing blog, so I suppose this word, "swirling" is supposed to somehow pertain to writing. When you say swirling I don't think of writing, I think of hot chocolate with swirls of whipped cream, those fantastic saltwater taffy things with a swirly pattern, and lollipops (which were always far too sweet for me). If I wasn't so angry with poetry right now (far too much analysis in my lit curriculum!) I might think of that, which is somewhat writing. Not my writing, but writing all the same.
I wonder why it is that the word 'swirling' makes me think of poetry? Maybe because it's poetic in nature, a delicate and beautiful substitute for 'stirring', 'mixing', or any other word pertaining to a circular movement. In other words, it is a word used to describe something. A description word with far more beauty and imagery than some other plain words that could describe the same thing.
It's a fact I often have to remind myself of. Just because I am [anything but] a poet, it doesn't mean that I should throw all delicate descriptive language out as 'flowery nonsense'. I love description, don't get me wrong, but I really prefer to use descriptive words that are sharp, clean, and very to-the-point.
Those kind of words work best when describing an atomic blast or the supreme court. But when the novel is all done and tranquility once again abides on the pages of the imagination, I should never forget the descriptive language that suits that new kind of peace...like swirling.
Mmm. Hot chocolate. I could go for some of that right now. You make an interesting point about being more poetic when describing certain settings. Like yours, my writing syle is far from poetic, but I think there may be room for me to explore the more poetic descriptions. Particularly as my current work is going to include an uninhabited un-spoilt world.
ReplyDeleteI think it is natural to think of poetry when considering swirling. It is a poetic concept in itelf.
Better late than never, Ruth. I think a good 'swirl' of sharp and clean mixed with flowery and elegant can be very enticing - just the kind of juxtaposition to create interest. Keep on writing!
ReplyDeleteSounds like your life is swirling about in busyness. Great post.
ReplyDeleteI don't consider myself a poet, although I have written some poetry. But to me poetry is about stripping away to the very essence of whatever it is you're writing about. In my opinion, the best prose writers have an underlying poetic sound. For example, Rawlings (who wrote The Yearling--one of my favorite books) was a poet. I guess what I'm trying to say is that poetry doesn't have to be gentle and flowery and girly. It must be powerful, pulling emotions from its readers. Good post, giving us thoughts to contemplate.
ReplyDeleteGlad you were able to post, Ruth! Excellent comments. I know you claim you're not a poet, but there was a lyrical quality about this post, especially at the end when you say "and tranquility once again abides on the pages of the imagination." Very poetic in my opinion. :)
ReplyDeleteP.S. - Love your playlist!
Ditto on the hot chocolate!
ReplyDeleteRuth, this is just a great take on swirling. I love how you swirled through your words and descriptions.
ReplyDeleteGreat! Poetry and Swirling do meld well in thought, don't they? ^_^
ReplyDeleteSo glad your swirling circumstances allowed you to get in on the chain! Hope things settle down. Really nice post. Loved the last paragraph!
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