{"id":4241,"date":"2022-06-10T17:07:00","date_gmt":"2022-06-11T00:07:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/?p=4241"},"modified":"2022-06-13T13:59:33","modified_gmt":"2022-06-13T20:59:33","slug":"words-have-power","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/2022\/06\/10\/words-have-power\/","title":{"rendered":"Words Have Power"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>Here is an article written by my cousin and fiction writer Reed Mingault. On her recent weekend visit, we had many deep conversations about writing. This one bubbled up one morning with a rush of inspiration and note taking. I am thrilled to share this here with you all.&nbsp;<\/p><cite>\ud83d\udc99- April<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots\"\/>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"960\" src=\"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/micheile-dot-com-WHx2CHMmg9w-unsplash.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4254\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/micheile-dot-com-WHx2CHMmg9w-unsplash.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/micheile-dot-com-WHx2CHMmg9w-unsplash-200x300.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption>Photo by <a href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/@micheile?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText\">micheile dot com<\/a> on <a href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/collections\/t0TagybRBEs\/writing?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText\">Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Words have power.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Phrases and assumptions seep into your brain. Your words (and the words of others) have power. The words that you write will seep into your readers&#8217; brains. It may not be obvious, to them or to you. You may not even realize it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a writer, one of your most important jobs is to interrogate your assumptions. Your words and the <em>why <\/em>of them. More than just the surface level of what you read.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>What is your writing focusing on and glorifying?<\/li><li>What do you often use as your default setting and location?<\/li><li>What characters do you automatically create?<\/li><li>Why?<\/li><li>Does it have to be?<\/li><li>Does that reflect reality? Both actual reality and the reality the characters exist in. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Let&#8217;s look at a literary example. <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Lord_of_the_Rings\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Lord of the Rings<\/a> was written in 1937 &#8211; 1949 by JRR Tolkien.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This epic series has huge battles, good vs. evil, armies, generals, and wizards. Yet over and over again Tolkien chooses to emphasize how the small ordinary kindness and goodness of Hobbits &#8211; not the King of Arnor and Gondor, not the Prince of Mirkwood or Lord of the Glittering Caves &#8211; how plain, ordinary hobbits triumph over evil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>&#8220;<em>The Lord of the Rings<\/em>&nbsp;has had a profound and wide-ranging impact on popular culture, beginning with its publication in the 1950s, but especially during the 1960s and 1970s, when young people embraced it as a&nbsp;countercultural&nbsp;saga.&#8221;<\/p><cite><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Lord_of_the_Rings#Later\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Wikipedia article<\/a><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>But if you look deeper there is also an emphasis on how <a href=\"https:\/\/en.m.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Tolkien_and_race\">an entire race of dark-skinned people (Orcs)<\/a> are evil. Tolkien did not seem to question that assumption.&nbsp;(Or may have not known the bias was there or that he had it.) <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Both of those values emphasized in his work coexist. Interrogate both. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>What we believe (and our biases) show up in our work.<\/strong> Our environment and culture influences us. But as writers, we influence our environment and culture right back. This is not a power to be taken lightly. Write the change you want to see in the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><em>Why <\/em>are you writing about <em>what <\/em>you are writing about?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Question why you have written <em>those <\/em>characters as &#8220;the good guys&#8221; (or &#8220;the bad guys&#8221;).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>What implications do those decisions make?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Is your fantasy writing glorifying the division or the fighting? <\/li><li>Are you questioning the values of why to fight? <\/li><li>Is fighting necessary? <\/li><li>Could you tell the story you want to tell in a different way? <\/li><li>What are you focusing on and why?<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote has-small-font-size is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p><em>&#8220;Within the infant rind of this small flower<\/em><\/p><p><em>Poison hath residence and medicine power.<\/em><\/p><p><em>For this, being smelt, with that part cheers each part;<\/em><\/p><p><em>Being tasted, stays all senses with the heart.<\/em><\/p><p><em>Two such oppos\u00e8d kings encamp them still,<\/em><\/p><p><em>In man as well as herbs\u2014grace and rude will. (2.3.23\u201328)&#8221; <\/em><\/p><cite><em>&#8211; Shakespeare<\/em>, &#8220;Romeo and Juliet&#8221; <\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>As Shakespeare says, both medicine and poison can come from the same plant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>Another example. I heard this phrase, and it stuck with me: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;<em>You don&#8217;t have to be afraid.&#8221;<\/em>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This looks simple on the surface. But what is it telling you in the subtext? <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>There are things to be afraid of &#8211; What? Why? <\/li><li>Is that actually true or is that a way to shape your thoughts and attitudes?<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If you are constantly bombarded with the language of victimization and persecution then you will subconsciously expect adversarialism everywhere. If you are looking for the people and powers against you will find it. Even when it objectively does not exist. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You will (subconsciously) react as though threatened. That reaction is from an assumption that must be interrogated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Contrast that with the language of being loved, of community, and support. How can that change the assumptions, the reactions, the internal language of a person? Interrogate those differences. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Remember, equality looks like oppression to the privileged.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>YOUR WORDS HAVE POWER.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>More than you think. More than you intend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Interrogate your language.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>What are your words? <em>Why <\/em>are your words?<\/li><li>What is the subtext especially telling people who aren&#8217;t like you?<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Interrogate your assumptions and defaults.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A writer&#8217;s superpower is their empathy. To put themselves and their readers in the shoes of those who are not like them. To engender empathy for the other. To help us love our neighbors <em>and those you think of as enemies<\/em> as ourselves. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Use this power wisely. Use it for good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:100\">Keep writing. &#8211; Reed<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:16% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"358\" height=\"327\" src=\"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Reed-Mingault.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4292 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Reed-Mingault.jpg 358w, https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Reed-Mingault-300x274.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 358px) 100vw, 358px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>Visit her author page to see what she is up to lately!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Author Bio: <a href=\"https:\/\/reedmingault.wordpress.com\/\">https:\/\/reedmingault.wordpress.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right has-small-font-size\">Photos by <a href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/@christinhumephoto?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText\">Christin Hume<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/@micheile?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText\">micheile dot com<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/@parkerabyrd?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText\">Parker Byrd<\/a>, on <a href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/collections\/t0TagybRBEs\/writing?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText\">Unsplash<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Here are all of the articles in this writing series:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u2013&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/2022\/05\/05\/series-intro-conversations-about-writing-with-reed-mingault\/\">Series Intro: Conversations About Writing with Reed Mingault<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">&#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/2022\/05\/06\/resources-for-fiction-writers-w-reed-mingault\/\">Resources for Fiction Writers<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u2013&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/2022\/05\/17\/plotting-pantsing-progress-trackers-w-reed-mingault\/\">Plotting, Pantsing &amp; Progress Trackers&nbsp;<\/a>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u2013&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/2022\/05\/31\/writing-from-drafting-to-publication-w-reed-mingault\/\">Writing: From Drafting to Publication<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u2013&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/2022\/06\/10\/words-have-power\/\">Words Have Power<\/a>&nbsp;(written by Reed)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots\"\/>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Here is an article written by my cousin and fiction writer Reed Mingault. On her recent weekend visit, we had many deep conversations about writing. This one bubbled up one morning with a rush of inspiration and note taking. I am thrilled to share this here with you all.&nbsp; \ud83d\udc99- April Words have power. Phrases&hellip; <\/p>\n<div class=\"readmore-wrapper\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/2022\/06\/10\/words-have-power\/\" class=\"more-link\">Read <\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":4257,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_stc_notifier_status":"sent","_stc_notifier_sent_time":"2022-06-13 12:40:17","_stc_notifier_request":false,"_stc_notifier_prevent":false,"_stc_subscriber_keywords":"","_stc_subscriber_search_areas":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[121],"tags":[126,325,332,331,319,270,324,123,320,318,125,330],"class_list":["post-4241","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-writing","tag-beginning-writing","tag-community-in-writing","tag-fiction","tag-fiction-writers","tag-reed-mingault","tag-resources","tag-ways-to-approach-writing","tag-writing","tag-writing-conversations","tag-writing-ideas","tag-writing-inspiration","tag-writing-resources"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4241","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4241"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4241\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4356,"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4241\/revisions\/4356"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4257"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4241"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4241"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4241"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}