Today I want to welcome another guest to my blog..Please give a warm welcome to author Lisa Lane…

Lisa, thank you for being here…I’m truly thrilled to have you..

Savannah

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Thank you so much, Savannah, for having me here today. It is such an honor. For those who don’t know me, my name is Lisa Lane, and I am an author with Ravenous Romance. My works range from the hit Space Trek, Lust in Space, to the gritty vampire horrotica series, The Darkness and the Night. It has been a pleasure to share some of my favorite stories with Ravenous Romance readers, and I can’t wait to share even more fun and provocative stories with you in the future. Allow me, now, to share with you a subject very dear to my heart.

The Power of Words

Words have been my vice ever since my first taste of adolescent literature. I had fallen in love with author Roald Dahl after finishing the brilliant and heartfelt Danny the Champion of the World, and proceeded to devour every title I could that was attached to Dahl’s name. What attracted me to his works was his flare for character, dialogue, and unexpected twists. His use of words was amazing. I soon discovered a few mystery authors, and then Stephen King. Again, the works were smart and rich, the authors’ use of words like morsels of bittersweet chocolate to my young, eager palate.

I decided I needed to emulate them, and I have been writing ever since.

My thoughts on words have not changed much over the years, although I’ve had a good deal more time to contemplate and build upon my vocabulary. For me, words are like shards of glass. Alone, they have little worth. Placed together in just the right way, however, they have the potential to create great beauty . . . as well as intense ugliness.

Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can never hurt me. . . .

My dad introduced me to that campy line when I was in first or second grade and the “mean girls” chose me as their target. Bravely, I tried the line on them, only to find myself humiliated and red as they laughed at my naivete. They were right to laugh; their words had hurt me, and to attempt to belittle their power in such a way had been foolish and poorly conceived. As much as I had wanted to believe the short mantra, it was clear by the look in my eyes that I could not. Words are a powerful force. The right string of words can illicit any emotion. Consider the following short passages:

She struggled to hold her composure, knowing she needed to be strong for him right now . . . knowing she wouldn’t be there for him much longer.

I love you.

The bastard deserved every slice of hell they were willing to dish him in there.

There is no doubting that the narrator of the first sentence is sad, that of the second is amorous, and the third feels vindictive. There was no need to introduce the feelings connected to each; the words were able to convey numerous pieces of information, including the character’s motivations and feelings, without stating them directly. These sentences all have blanket meanings that might be interpreted slightly differently, depending on the reader. Consider, however, these passages:

“I love you,” he said coldly.

The bastard deserved every slice of hell they were willing to dish him in there, she thought, although she knew that he had been framed for the crime.

Not only do the sentences take on entirely different meanings, but they each now offer a small story for the reader to contemplate.

The implementing of various literary elements adds even more depth to a work, and also tells the readers even more about the characters . . . or even a little about the author, his/herself. A careful placement of words can define the feelings of a generation, the tone of a war-torn land, or the sensation of passion and pleasure that comes with taking a good lover.

So, why is any of this important?

Words are important. Spoken, written, or recorded, they have the power to touch us, to influence us, even to change our views or beliefs on important subjects. They hold varying levels of significance, depending upon the individuals offering the words and the individuals recieving and processing them, but that it part of their beauty. As an author, I know that there will be readers who like my work and there will be readers will dislike my work–but all will also forever carry with them something as a result of having read what they did. What different people will take from my words, I can only guess, but I hope that this short essay has portrayed at least some idea of how I feel about the tiny shards within this small mosaic, and beyond.

I would love to hear your thoughts on words, and how they have affected you. If you leave a comment here, I’ll happily reply. For more about me and my writing, please visit my website, at http://www.cerebralwriter.weebly.com.

Lust in Space – http://www.ravenousromance.com/breathless/lust-in-space.php

The Darkness and the Night: Blood and Coffee – http://www.ravenousromance.com/breathless/the-darkness-and-the-night-blood-and-coffee.php

The Darkness and the Night II: Cosmic Orgasm – http://www.ravenousromance.com/breathless/the-darkness-and-the-night-2-cosmic-orgasm.php

And more at http://www.ravenousromance.com

Thanks so much for reading!

Lisa Lane