At Writer’s Relief, we do our best to help our clients cope with the rejection that is part of the writing life. Psychologists have long been aware of how the words we speak, read, write, and encounter can have a powerful impact on our lives. In her book Every Word Has Power, Yvonne Oswald explores the idea that changing the words you use can change your life. More information is available at http://yvonneoswald.com.
Writers have their own special challenges with words, given that “rejection” makes up a big part of a successful writing career. For that reason we excerpted a few words on Oswald’s list that writers should either avoid or use frequently. Take a look at the lists, and consider how often you use positive and negative language to describe your writing. The results might surprise you!
High-Energy Words
Achieve, Believe, Choose/Choice, Dream, Easy, Free, Future, Harmony, Knowledge, New, Please, Positive, Profit, Success, Sweet, Top, Unique, Value
Low-Energy Words
Afraid, Anxiety, Bad, Bottom, Broke, Cheap, Control, Criticize, Difficult, Doubt, Envy, Failure, Fear, Hate, Idiot, Lazy, Poor, Shame, Small, Sorrow, Trying, Weak, Worry, Worse
Want to learn more ways to stay positive while you’re working toward a career as a writer? Check out Rejoice in Rejection and discover how to improve your writing outlook!
I don’t know about all words, but some do have power. Like the word, Power, itself. To give them high and low energy is not something I’d want to think about too much. Eg fear seem to me to have more energy than sweet. IF we add too many rules to this writing game, it can be confusing. I’d rather leave my mind open to choose the right words at the right time.
Good lists. Good writing is so hard to achieve, but the words are the most important part of it. Thanks