Word Crafting

"Writing is thinking on paper."

William Zinsser

Reading the children's book, a Snicker of Magic by Natalie Lloyd, has caused me to focus deeply on the beauty of words and the magic that spills out from their creation and manifestation on a page. Lloyd's ability to spin words attracted me to the character she created. Felicity Juniper Pickle, is a word collector who sees words all around her.  She has an optimistic viewpoint and a poet's sensibility illustrated by such statements as, "I was surrounded by words and stories and dust-speckled light. That's a pretty perfect way to be." - or - "I never wanted to forget all the ways we were connected that day: By shadows and sunlight. By pouncing hearts and a starry maybe."

Natalie Lloyd's delightful and whimsical tale should be hit with students ages 8-12 years (680 lexile level) and a thoughtful prospect for the 2015 Newbery as noted by several reviewers. 

As a word collector and weaver of words, I feel that words are the heart of my writing life. Natalie Lloyd's debut book deftly spins her tale with a zest for word crafting, pairing words in an unique manner that allows a certain type of magic to flow. One way to feel the fullness of life is to see words spinning from inside out, just like Felicity Pickle, and then allowing them to become visible and find a place to rest - moving the thought process from an internal process to an external one. 

A word crafter reflects, constructs, and captures thoughts on paper. As they appear, the writer savors them, refines their look and appeal, and continues the journey of penning thoughts to paper in hopes of improving the craft of writing. Here is a snippet of the unfolding of poetic language in Lloyd's book.

Today I'll wear a dress made of sunlight,

I'll spin like the lilies,

I'll bloom like the stars.

Hands hold,
Hearts fold,

Under my thumbprint sky.

We are all apprentices in a craft where no one ever becomes a master.

Ernest Hemingway

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As an apprentice of the writing craft, I continue to evolve in a world of expressive thoughts. My offerings today for Poetry Friday are a pair of original thoughts on Word Crafting with a Tagxedo word cloud. 

Words travel in spaces of the mind

Like a kite  s w i r l i n g  in the air. 

They spin; mill around; 

Seek companions;

Form bonds;

Find a resting spot.

Then, they quietly

Nestle

On paper

Until 

They get bumped

So new words 

Can join the fun.

cvarsalona, July 2014

Words are the platform on which ideas grow.

Power, beauty, and emotion

Reside in their very being.  

As they parade across a page

 Paths open

Connecting heart to mind,

Pushing aside negativity,

Becoming a visible reflection

of the inner spirit

In a quest for freedom. 

cvarsalona, July 2014

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Poetry Friday is being hosted today by a teacher/writer colleague, Margaret Simon, 
whom I have been chatting with online.

Please visit the Poetry Friday offerings provided this week by a wide variety of talented writers at
Reflections on the Teche