Tag Archives: Arlene Smith

The cycle of writing, she exclaimed!

said-bookism (plural said-bookisms) – Noun
1. The studious avoidance, in writing dialogue, of the word “said”.
Synonym: bookism
https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/said-bookism

    Experts said: Don’t drown your dialogue in attributions like exclaimed, whispered, demanded, asserted, murmured, shouted, whimpered, inquired, queried or, heaven forbid, spat. [The experts pleaded, prompted, advised, demanded, urged . . .]

    I agreed with that advice.

    But then, I began a clutter clean-up in my basement, and I happened upon a notebook from my Grade 8 English class. On the last page, I found this: a list of words to use instead of said. Way back in the 1970s my teacher advised me to liven up the story. Avoid using said, they said (proposed, urged argued . . ..

    Old notebook with list of Subtitutes for Said: added, admitted, announced, answered, argued, begged, bellowed, cried, declared, exclaimed, inquired, mumbled, muttered, etc.

    The pendulum swung toward repeated, roared, whined, yelled, remarked, declared, bellowed, argued, announced . . .

    Good heavens, but that became tiresome, if not outright ridiculous. So the pendulum swung back to said.

    And now, the pendulum swings again. As readers we find we don’t mind an occasional declaration. If a character roars now and then, it’s okay!

    What do you think? Do you enjoy writing enlivened by interesting attributions, or do you prefer our good old standby said?

    Don’t rush, shop around, work in phases, have faith

    Broadview magazine included an article I wrote about my church’s transition from an old boiler heating system (and no air conditioning) to heat pumps for both heating and cooling.

    Want to switch your church to heat pumps? Here’s where to start

    The article includes four subheadings: Don’t rush, shop around, work in phases, and have faith.

    Those same four subheadings apply to more than heat pumps, right? Writers on their journeys, families navigating life challenges, and people facing health problems can all benefit from a similar approach.

    Whatever life throws at you today, don’t rush, shop around, work in phases, and have faith.

    The beauty of ew

    A model tall ship covered in dust

    I attended an afternoon event held at a venue usually reserved for nighttime activities. As I stood listening to speeches, I looked up at this tall ship on a high shelf, lit by a combination of daylight and interior lighting that would not normally be on when customers were in the establishment.

    I was struck by both the beauty and the ew factor. In fact, the beauty is made possible because of the ew factor.

    Without the dust on the delicate strands of rope on the foundering ship the effect of the light would be less striking.

    Something that needed cleaning up had been hidden and ignored. Light made things clear, and somehow beautiful.

    The idea helps me this week. The lesson “sailed to me” when needed, as they so often do. I hope it helps you too.

    Heart engrained

    Heart-shaped grain in the wood of a casket with two red roses.

    I was a pall bearer for my aunt last week, so I had a close-up view of the heart that was a natural part of the grain of her casket.

    I was told that this casket was not the kind that she had picked, but was substituted instead.

    Just goes to show . . . Some things work out even better than we plan, when our plans go awry.

    Woman surrounded by a group of people watching her play the guitar.
    My aunt in her favourite place – the centre of it all.

    So THAT’S what happens: Being at peace with life

    Sometimes it’s difficult to find peace when nasty surprises upset our lives. Sometimes it’s even a challenge to savour fun events or exciting bonuses.

    We waste time evaluating whether something is “good” or “bad.” We forget to head straight to accepting what is.

    And appearances can be deceiving. Events that appear catastrophic at first can lead to unforeseen good fortune. Other occurrences that strike us as boundless good luck turn out to be the opposite.

    All of us would love to have 100 percent control over what happens in our lives. But we don’t. Unplanned events inevitably derail our plans.

    When that happens to me, I try to remember to rise above it and survey everything as an impartial observer. I try to view whatever comes—no matter what it is—as a big, welcome surprise.

    “So THAT’s what happens!”

    Stuck in the slow line at the grocery store? So THAT’S what happens! A winning goal for your hockey team in overtime? So THAT’S what happens! You’re fired? So THAT’S what happens!”

    It’s easier to be at peace with unforeseen twists of fate — illnesses, riches, petty disagreements, journeys, friends, deaths or births — if all of them, no matter what , are viewed as big, welcome surprises.

    So THAT’s what happens! Surprise!

    I wonder what happens next?

    An arrow pointing to the right with the word Next on it