The Power And Beauty Of Words On A Page

In my youth, I always warmed to the thought of the pen being mightier than the sword. I was a scrawny kid, so I had to use words many times to get myself out of trouble with the neighborhood bullies. There is no better way to discover the power of the right words at the right time.

I always found myself attracted to the words and speeches of the great orators. There was drama and vocal inflection, sure, but it was the words that fascinated me.

I was never much of a writer, and I probably have my share of English teachers to confirm that theory. Let’s just say that math and science were my bread and butter in school. I always loved to read (and still do), but putting my own thoughts into words proved a challenge.

Fortunately, I now see the world from the perspective of reader and writer. With that in mind, I decided that this year I would finally attend the Texas Book Festival. I thought it might prove to be a valuable experience. I wasn’t wrong.

The Texas Book Festival began in November 1996. It has now been an annual Austin event for the past 16 years. But it has only been over the past few years that it really became a relevant event to me. It is a two day event, though I was only able to see a variety of speakers on Sunday.

What was most intriguing to me is the passion with which these people discussed their work, regardless of the topic. It could be the author of a book on Harlem, a book on insects, or a book on Southern cooking. It didn’t matter. They all pursued their topics with a desire to create, to learn, to grow, and to explore.

Some told stories that were inspirational to other authors. Paula Deen spoke of her first self-published book. A serendipitous event found her book in the hands of a Random House publishing exec, and the rest is, as they say, is history. Timing is everything. All she knew was that she was sharing a part of her world with the rest of the world.

Maybe that is part of the thrill of writing. It’s the sharing. Words can make a difference in peoples’ lives, in the destiny of a newborn country like the United States, or in the stirring oratory of a civil rights leader on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.

There is something about the power of the written (and spoken) word that is intoxicating, amazing, and utterly astounding. There is truly an art to being able to translate your thoughts into a string of words for all to read. The greater skill is in composing them such in such a way as to convey your thoughts gracefully, efficiently, and effectively – and maybe even make an impact on someone else while doing so.

The Texas Book Festival was a great reminder of why I spend time writing and honing my craft - if you can call it that. It was a reminder of why I freely explore all of those thoughts inside of myself, just to see if I can pry something out of me that might make sense to someone. Maybe something you share will resonate with others. Maybe it just serves to resonate within ourselves.

There is a power and beauty of words on a page. Take a moment, much as I did many years ago, and just start writing what your heart shouts out to you – even if you don’t think it shouts much of anything. Keep the inner editor at bay, and just write. And write. And write some more. You won’t be disappointed.

If nothing else, you will learn something about yourself in the process. That might be the greatest beauty of all.

Photo credits: texasgurl