Saturday Writing Essential: Word Paintings

Good morning, writers!

Today is the start of a too-busy weekend. You know the kind - filled with boring but necessary chores and errands. An appraiser is coming early Tuesday morning as part of the process of increasing (once again) our home equity loan. Sigh. It just doesn't seem possible to survive on one salary any more, even a good one. But I guess if you're supporting almost nine people, it makes sense. I say "almost," because in addition to myself and my wife, my three daughters, my two grandsons, and my mother-in-law, there is always a boyfriend or two around the house, eating my food, watching my TV, or sitting on my couch. Uh-huh. Harumph. Okay, so I'm a protective dad who pictures the perfect beau for each of my dear girls, and its hard to please me in that regard. ;o)

Anyway, we are spending the weekend cleaning, weeding, preening, polishing, hiding defects, covering up, reorganizing, and the like. I know. Yuk. But it's necessary, and in the end, it will be a nicer home. For a few minutes, anyway! Last night I finished weeding around the brick walkway and rototilled part of the massive gardens. Since I've been sick this spring (asthma that won't quit, accompanied by exhaustion, most atypical for me), the weeds have made headway. Very unusual, because I'm typically pretty militant about the weeds, especially with my trusty rototiller by my side. But this year has been different, lending me new shades of humility. The Lord keeps me humble, that's for sure. And man, do I appreciate the gifts I used to have and hopefully will regain soon. Like a never-ending well of energy that I always took for granted. And the ability to breathe freely, even during heavy exercise.

So, before I run off to do the Saturday morning errands, I wanted to thank you for the articles posted already today. We have some lovely pieces in here. I'll check back later, of course, to post the new arrivals! 

For fun, here's a short essay published in the 2007 Bylines Writer's Desk Calendar. I was honored to be included in the issue!

                                                                                                                                           - Aaron

P.S. If you're reading this from a group other than the Writing Essential, please consider this an invitation to join us at http://writing.gather.com

Word Paintings

Word paintings are like photographs. The creative wells from which they spring are similar in both writers and photographers.

For example, it takes a special talent to frame a great shot in nature. It's this same appreciation for the "visual feast" that gives writers the extra perceptive eye they need to describe a scene that breathes life into a story. Of course, all of the senses are employed when constructing a literary scene. Sounds, aromas, and tactile sensations all contribute to setting the scene that creates a unique sense of place. 

Every image that was ever impressed on my brain ends up in a story. Whether it's the light dancing through stained-glass windows in a Parisian chapel, curly green-gray lichen covering a boulder at the edge of a pond in Maine, or hoarfrost dangling from a cherry tree branch in January, these images are tucked away in the recesses of my mind. In time, they bubble back, persistently itching, until they are poured onto the page.

If you long to write, if it eats away at you until you are spent after hours of writing, if you ache to join your characters in a daily romp in your parallel universe, this probably sounds familiar. These abundant, precious aspects of life are the sweet fodder for your next story. Soak it all up. And carefully weave them into your next piece.

                                                                            ***

Aaron Paul Lazar works as an engineer by day and can be found on weekends in his gardens with his two little sidekicks, his grandsons. His passion lies in writing, where he creates characters of great depth, color, and substance. Lazar entices readers with intricate plots, lush imagery, taut action, gourmet meals, classical music, gardens, and surprising romantic moments. www.legardemysteries.com