A Message In Words | Previous Challenge Entry

how it works

TITLE: A Message In Words | Previous Challenge Entry
By Chijioke Nwosu
01/14/07
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES

Asking a writer to write an article about writing is like asking a singer to sing about singing or a painter to paint about painting. The singer would say “listen to me” and the painter would say “watch me”. I can’t do either however, because you can’t see or hear me but that is the beauty and uniqueness of writing! If you asked me for a definition I’d say writing is painting a picture not with brush and paint on canvas but with words on paper; just like the sounds heard when a symphony is played convey the music already playing in a composer’s heart, the words written on paper attempt to clarify to the reader ideas already crystal clear in the author’s mind. Having said all that, just as several people might describe a painting or musical composition in very different ways irrespective of the painter’s or composer’s intention, two people could read the same literary piece and see entirely different things. This is where the challenge of effective communication comes in for the writer.
The issue is not so much having a message to convey as it is coming up with the right vehicle to communicate that message. And this is what distinguishes a true communicator from someone who just “writes”. The vehicle that conveys this message, the midwife that successfully delivers the “heart child” of the writer is words. They are the tools of his trade and his success depends on his ability to weave words into a mosaic that is not only beautiful but clear. The individuals we celebrate as great writers were often people who were able to say as much as possible in as few words as possible in a way so simple a child could understand yet so profound that an intellectual would applaud it. This is the reason why writing is an art and not a science. Theories about it might inform you but only by taking words and attempting to enable people see your invisible thoughts can you begin to master the art of writing. The Creator of the universe is the greatest Master of words, He spoke words, He wrote words and eventually He became the Living Word, so words are powerful! They are like the tools that enable the reader to mine into the mind of the author and extract gems! Writing is a way by which a person can continue to “speak” even after he’s dead! His thoughts and ideas put down on paper continue to speak to generation after generation of readers.
Of course the words that a writer uses to pass his message across are not always put together in the same way. Some writers are more lyrical and so their words come out as poems, others are more given to expressing their message in the form of stories and still others are more “analytical” and “matter of fact” in nature so their words take the form of essays or articles. One thing is always clear however and that is the fact that writing is as personal as the message it tries to convey. No two writers will write exactly the same way just as every singer’s voice is unique and just like every singer must find his voice and make it the best it can be, every writer must find his most natural form of literary expression and hone his skills in that direction.
One thing that I seem to be repeating over and over again is the fact that the writer has a “message” he desires to give to his readers. For a writer who’s a child of God that message is the good news of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ and using his God-given abilities he is able to package that message in a way that is not only clear and powerful, but is also creative and relevant. For me, everything I do, including my writing, should somehow preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and that for me is the real reason for writing and this is what I’ve been trying to drive at. Now that I’m here I guess I should stop writing about “writing” and hope I’ve driven my point home.

PREVIOUS ENTRY | NEXT ENTRY
SUBMIT YOUR ENTRY FOR THIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE

The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.

If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be right now. CLICK HERE

JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.