lure
Words are so interesting.
The word lure is one of those dual meaning words. Lure as a noun is an object that temps, as in a fishing lure. Lure as a verb is to tempt.
When it comes to fishing, you use a fishing lure (noun) to lure (verb) a fish.
Language is so complex. The more I write, the more I’m aware of how much I don’t know. I also struggle with the right preposition and when to use I and me, to name a few. I wish I paid more attention to these subject matters while in school.
I recently had a brief text-message conversation with a dear friend of mine, Diane. We’ve been friends since the 10th grade, making us 15 years old!! We were chatting about writing, and I said I need an editor and she said everyone needs an editor. That gave me some comfort. She also recommended a book by Anne Lamott called Bird By Bird.
I went to the local bookstore to purchase the book which cost $16.00 It was less than $9.00 online at Amazon. I often shop locally, but it’s so hard when there is such a price discrepancy. My husband had a similar experience recently, on a much bigger scale, when he purchased materials for the house we’re restoring. At a local mega-building supply store a piece of Hardy Board was $9.00 versus $12.00 at privately owned lumber supplier. When you’re buying approximately 150 boards. that $3.00 difference per board, it adds up. He mentioned the cost comparative and the salesperson didn’t seem to care. If he lowered the price a little, my husband, like me, would have given our business to the local mom and pop establishment. I know small businesses can’t compete with the super-size stores, but if they were a little more competitive, maybe it would be mutually beneficial. Anyway, that was a side-bar.
I purchased the book Bird By Bird from Amazon, sorry to say, and it arrived the next day. I started reading it and highlighted a few points right away. I am a note taker, whether I’m in a class or listening to a preacher. So the highlighter is out, and I emphasize points of interest. It’s kind of like writing in a journal. I may never go back and read what I wrote, but the exercise of highlighting and writing is a necessary habit for me.
Here are a few takeaways from Bird By Bird by Anne Lamott that resonated with me:
1) writing motivates you to look closely at life This certainly is true for me. I’m a deep thinker, so writing allows me to share those thoughts, hoping it resonates with someone other than self.
2) it causes you to pay attention Like pondering the word ‘lure’.
3) the act of writing turns out to be its own reward. This clearly is very true for me. I may never be published. Few may like or read my blog. But, I enjoy the process and at least I seem to like the product.
4) writing is like a person to me-the person who, after all these years, still makes sense to me. This too is so true. My writing makes the most sense to me, but hopefully, it will have a positive impact on someone else.
That was a few lines that I gleaned from just the introduction! So thank you, Diane, for introducing me to this book and encouraging me along the way. I really appreciate it!
Almost a year ago I went to a writers workshop at the University of North Carolina Wilmington campus. The guest speaker was a young woman by the name of Julie Buntin, who told us of her journey in the writing and publishing arena. I think the one take-away from these two authors is to keep at it. If you enjoy writing, write. Don’t worry about the nay-sayers and don’t expect to get published, let alone make a fortune writing. Do it for the mere enjoyment of it. If you persevere, you never know!
I don’t think of myself as a ‘good’ writer but hopefully, I will become a better writer and maybe someday, if I have an editor, I’ll get there. One of my biggest struggles is organizing my thoughts. I’m sure as I read Bird By Bird I’ll gain more insight. This is what often happens.
My head swirls with thoughts and ideas. It’s putting them down, in a way that makes sense that becomes the challenge. Unfortunately, sometimes my best narrative is when I can’t sleep and I don’t want to wake my husband up and grab a pen and paper. I wish there could be a record button in my brain, kind of like saving a screen-shot on your smartphone. If only the well written and extremely organized thoughts in my head during my semi-awake moments could be recorded, you’d be reading words that sound much more eloquent than what you’re reading right now.
Many cities throughout the country have adult education classes. This could be at a university or community college. My city, Wilmington, NC is fortunate to have Osher Lifelong Learning Institue, also known as OLLI. Check to see if your city or town has this valuable resource as well. My plan is to take a writing class one day soon. How about you? Maybe it’s time to expand your knowledge in an area of interest? Don’t let excuses or age get in the way of growth.
One final thought that came to me late in the game of this post. The written word lasts forever, but the spoken word you can’t take back. Proceed with caution.
So there you have it. Lure. I hope I’m able to lure (verb) you into my writing and my blog.
That’s my very handsome son in the picture above, who lured a fish with a lure this past November at West Hampton Beach, New York. Gotta love fishing camo. See what a difference it made ;)
