Miscellaneous musings

by Melanie Jongsma, Wordsmith on October 13, 2010 · 6 comments

in Story Breaks (sharing my own random stories)

 

I’m taking a break this week from my regular posts about sharing people’s stories (whether personal or business) in order to bring you the following fascinating bits of random miscellany….

Wouldn’t it make more sense to call it a “war-of-tug” than a “tug-of-war”?

Here’s something cool: The word photography comes from the Greek words photos (“light”) and graphein (“to write”). So to photograph is to “write with light.” Nice, huh?

Free tip: When you’re starting to write a book, spend some time imagining what your desired outcome is. Do you want a memoir that your friends and family will treasure? Do you want a book whose royalties will be enough to quit your day job and take a six-week cruise? Or is the writing mainly an exercise for your own sense of fulfillment? Knowing what you want to get out of the process will help you know what to put into it.

Have you ever had any experiences with gruntled employees? Are these the same people who always look sheveled? (If you can think of any other words like this, put them in the comments! Don’t you think it would be fun to try and write a short story using only words that should have opposites but don’t?)

Why is it that sometimes when I’m using a can opener, I run into spots where I just can’t get the blade to cut the can lid? I end up with a lid that’s sort of perforated, and my veggies are still trapped inside the can. Is this a problem with the can? Or the can opener? Or the can opener operator?

Here’s a good one to end with: If you can’t be kind, at least have the decency to be vague.

About the author

If you have a business that needs customers, a ministry that needs supporters, or a family that needs to understand their heritage, Melanie Jongsma can help you organize your thoughts into compelling communication. That's what she does. Use the form in the right column to subscribe to LifeLines today.

{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }

Amanda Cleary October 13, 2010 at 2:18 pm

I choose… “Do you want a book whose royalties will be enough to quit your day job and take a six-week cruise?”

Except make it a 6-month cruise. A long vacation would help me feel much more “combobulated.”

Reply

Karin Vredeveld October 13, 2010 at 6:27 pm

Deep thoughts, Melanie!

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johnklompmaker October 13, 2010 at 6:51 pm

I am still looking for a “combobulated” person.

The book idea is a good one.

Can openers – now there is a tough one. Perhaps we can get around to an answer some time.

I like PHOTOGRAPHY.

Reply

Melanie Jongsma, Wordsmith October 13, 2010 at 8:37 pm

You guys are all very clever! And I find great crepancy between what you all are saying.

Reply

Ann Schenkel October 14, 2010 at 1:49 pm

Okay, no musings, but about the can opener problem–that is a great reason to eat fresh or frozen vegetables! Just had to comment and sorry–it’s not too vague!

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Melanie Jongsma, Wordsmith October 14, 2010 at 5:33 pm

Point taken, Ann. Thanks for the reminder!

Reply

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