Seeing The Beauty Of Our Words

by Joann Claypoole @Joann Claypoole

A writer’s journey can be described as an amazing adventure one day and a gray cloudy mess on another.

While learning our craft and building our platform or brand, we can get caught up in all the things we need to do and be. At times we forget to see the beauty of each day as a gift, each circumstance or obstacle as an opportunity to paint beautiful word pictures with our lives—To see the blessing in the curse, and the beauty of our words. 

We’re impressionists or expressionists while we write our stories. Like the Master Artist, we can paint our scenes with color and depth and emotion. Our stories and characters can inspire, lure, or immerse our readers into magical worlds they never dreamed could be so real. Make them jump for joy, smell the flowers, and cry with each disappointment—because true beauty isn’t always beautiful. 

Even when we paint ugly mucky “stuck in quicksand” days we don’t want anyone to judge, we can use more than sparse drops of black to reveal truth and the freeing power of the rain. Let’s press harder to be real. Solve shaded mysteries that held us in the shadow. Outline, then prime our canvas with lyrical action and emotion we call plot and story. Wait and watch as tone and color mingle, then sit transfixed when the ethereal dance happens and our words leap across hundreds of longing pages. We can express passion, sentiment, or profound wisdom if we let go. Build up or peel away layer upon layer to reach our character’s struggles and fears—or, our selves. 

Add that touch of blue. If we’re honest, our readers might see more than sterile words on a page or computer screen. With eyes wide open, we won’t worry about the ugly, like broken color’s mismatched (yet amazing) patchwork, or being vulnerable, or exposing our inner-being’s true colors. And like a chiseled sculpture, we might become unbreakable in the process. 

Though difficult to define, it is said, all visual works of art tend to have a spiritual or emotional cadence that sings. I want to look to The Master of the arts, study and know the beauty of His Word—because The Word was with Him when He breathed light into the darkness, life from dust. The countless shades His hands brushed across the sky—Then. Maybe. A pen might reveal a higher purpose for this scene my mind’s eye sees—The portrait of who He wants me to be. 

The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me; Your Love O Lord, 

Endures Forever. Psalm 138:8

I love to paint pictures within my stories—To write deep by wading into deeper waters. To never give up on my dreams. And never forget the journey along the way.

I hope you see the beauty in your stories. If you like to paint pictures with your words, won’t you share a time where leaving shallow waters led to a deeper writing experience on your journey? 

Don’t forget to join the conversation.

Blessings,

Joann

TWEETABLES

Seeing the beauty of our words - @JoannClaypoole on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Learning to appreciate the gift of writing - @JoannClaypoole on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Joann Claypoole is the award-winning author of The Gardener’s Helpers (MJ Pub. 2015). Current WIPs include children’s chapter books, picture books, MG fantasy, a Christmas novel, Christian Living inner beauty book, and inspirational articles. 

Check out her Dreamdove’s Flights Of Fancy blog at joannclaypoole.wordpress.com 

She has many inspirational stories featured in 7 of Yvonne Lehman’s Moments series books, and James Stuart Bell’s True Stories of Children’s Encounters with Angels, Miracles, and God (Jesus Talked To Me). 

Joann leads a local SCBWI writer critique group and Dreamdove’s Write Flight Writers networking tribe. This former Central Florida salon/spa owner would rather take a hike in the mountains and daydream about her words becoming worlds or who she might become when she grows up. For now, she’s a wife, mom of four sons, Numi to gorgeous grandbabies, and is owned by two crazy canines.

Connect with her on her website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.