Write with the words that brung ya

Image Carmine de Fazio via Unsplash

All the words I use in my stories can be found in the dictionary—it’s just a matter of arranging them into the right sentences.
– Somerset Maugham

We all have the same basic tools to work with. Theoretically at least.

In our American culture, we all have basically the same language skills. Basically the same educational opportunities.

Work with me here. I know there are disparities. That’s not the point. This is not social commentary.

But for those of us who write we have the same dictionary of words from which to choose.

It’s a matter of how we put them together.

And, that’s the cool part.

Or like with an artist, there are so many colors in the palette wheel.

Or so many notes on a keyboard.

What you or I choose to do with those resources is what makes the art, or the music, or the literature.

26 letters in the alphabet.

88 keys on a piano.

24 colors on a color wheel, derived from the three primary colors.

So, what are you going to do with them?

Never mind how long it would take the monkeys to randomly type out the complete works of Shakespeare.

What will you do with the tools you have?

Every day I put letters and words together. Sometimes I get them in the right order. More often than not they need to be rearranged.

Whatever your craft, you may or may not be the best. That’s not what matters.

What matters is that you’re doing it.

What matters is that you’re creating something new. Something fresh.

That’s what makes the world a better place.

Choose your tools wisely.

Then get to it.

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