Use Your Words

Have you ever heard a parent tell their toddler to use their words? That's how I feel about writing. This Song captured me partly because of the lyrics.

Lord, make me a rainbow, I'll shine down on my mother
She'll know I'm safe with you when she stands under my colors


Who would've thought forever could be severed
by the sharp knife of a short life

The writer uses words to make metaphors that create interesting images. She created a mood with her words, which is so important for us to do in our books.

Do your words evoke the mood you're going for in a particular scene? What about your metaphors? Have you ever heard this song before?

Comments

Unknown said…
That song has great lyrics. I've heard a few of their songs, and the lyrics are always so visual. It's inspiring!
Katie Ganshert said…
I had to laugh when I read your first line, Jessica, because I say this to Brogan ALL the time. He's in a very whiny stage and so I'm constantly kneeling down and saying, "Use your words, Brogan."
I've never heard this song! Beautiful lyrics.
Jessica Nelson said…
Julie, this is the first song I've ever heard of theirs but I just love it.

Katie, lol, too funny!
Never heard that song before. Those lyrics made me sad!

I'm working on doing those things in my writing--not always easy.
Heather Sunseri said…
What sad lyrics. Creating good metaphors is not something I'm super strong at, but I love it when a writer makes good use of them.
Lisa Jordan said…
As an early childhood educator, I say "use your words" on a daily basis. Using words to create visual images for my readers is one of my favorite things to do. I force myself to step out of my writing box to become creative without wandering in the purple prose forest. Susan May Warren's book, Sons of Thunder, has beautiful word imagery!

Those lyrics are so sad. I haven't heard the song before but it has a definite mood.
Erica Vetsch said…
Guess what I'm going to be humming today. :)

I do like The Band Perry.
YES! I love this song. :) I do try to evoke moods with my words and metaphors. Hope I'm accomplishing it! Great post girlie!
Loree Huebner said…
Never heard this song, but it says so much in just a few words.

That's good writing.
Mary Curry said…
I'm also a fan of The Band Perry, Jessica. The line from that song that is most striking to me is this one -

"What I never did is done."

So simple, but so meaningful.

Playing with words is my favorite part of writing. I guess that's why I love revising so much more than first drafts.
Nancy J. Parra said…
Hi Jessica,

What a lovely song. I had not heard it but the metaphor is fabulous!
Thanks for sharing. Cheers~
Jessica Nelson said…
Hey Nancy! Thanks for popping by. I hadn't heard of them before, even though I guess they came out in 2010.

Hey Mary C! True about revising, although for me I have to try to tone myself down a bit. I think I might wander into purple a bit. lol

Loree, Exactly!
Jessica Nelson said…
Eileen, you're so right that it's not easy. I guess that's why I'm so impressed when I hear great lines, 'cause I know it takes work and talent.

Me too, Heather. :-)

Lisa, you know, I've never read her work but I hear about it a lot. I really need to sit down and read something by her.
Jessica Nelson said…
Hey Erica! I like their style too. Will def. need to check out their other songs.

Anita, I didn't know you knew them! And yep, I think your writing is incredibly evocative. ;-)
Linda Kage said…
I think I've said that very line to my kid once or twice, and she only has about ten words in her vocabulary right now.

Sometimes, it's really hard to use the right word or expression to show readers what I'm trying to say, how I want the mood to fall. There's just so many of them out there to chose from!
Sweet and lovely . . .

(and loved your post about Napoleon Dynomite - so very true -- there's more to that movie than "meets the eye" - just love it)
Sarah Forgrave said…
Great point, Jessica! I also love how sentence structure can give a scene an overall feel. Y'know, like short sentences creating suspense, etc. Lots of tricks up our writerly sleeves, eh? :)
You always have fun, short and sweet posts, Jessica!
I've not heard this song, but I love images that words create when used artfully.
Hi Jess -

I haven't heard this song, but it creates some powerful images.

This type of writing doesn't come easily to me. Practice, practice, practice!

Blessings,
Susan :)
Karen Lange said…
I need to work on this area of my writing. Things like these provide interesting ideas and challenges! :)
trump said…
I have a recipe for "Famous Pennsylvania Dutch Sticky Cinnamon Buns" on Amish Stories incase you folks are interested. Hope everyone is having a great weekend as well. Richard
Terri Tiffany said…
Hey there, Just wanted to say I will miss meeting up with you too!!!!!
Jessica Nelson said…
Awww, thanks Terri. :-) At least we have blogger, right? :-)
Janet, said…
I've never heard that song before, but I do love using metaphors in my writing. I like the one about the rainbow.
I'm always telling my son to use his words! :) I haven't heard that song, but it does evoke a great mood.

--Mel
Nancy said…
I love the first live of that song. It is so inspiring and then the next line seems to hit you like the knife itself. Unusual conbination of ideas.
that's a sad song! but hauntingly beautiful words. the kind of words that stay with you...like what we should strive for, you know?

i rarely have to tell maddy to use her words. she uses them SO often.... :)

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