Sharpening Words
by Jan Powell
“Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another”
(Proverbs 27:17 ESV).
Sharpening knives ranks low among my least favorite kitchen chores. Close to cleaning tiny crevices and scrubbing the floor. As a result, I neglect the task until sawing a firm tomato demands the same effort as cutting tough steak with a butter knife. In the same way that sharpened blades streamline meal preparation, frequently immersing my mind in good instruction improves my writing.
I’ve often put off maintaining my writing skills and instead forged on with a dull point on my proverbial pencil. Forced isolation a few years ago provided an excellent opportunity to reorganize my bookcases. That’s when I counted my mini-library of composition—nearly a hundred volumes. No, I haven’t read all of them cover to cover.
Some have passed through my hands multiple times, evidenced by underlining and notes in the margin. I discovered books I’d forgotten and set them aside to read, knowing every author sharpens me.
Several books provided lists of uncommon words to stimulate my vocabulary. Others focused on writing techniques or functioned as reference material. I also shelved a few workbooks, reminiscent of school days. Each had a different flair and voice. I can’t quote their advice verbatim, but reading and reflecting anchored the information in my mind. I don’t remember every swipe of the whetstone, yet I still benefit from the results when cooking my meals.
The Lord provides us with many resources to equip us to fulfill this calling. As serious writers, we can hone our skills through books, online seminars, and podcasts to prepare word meals for our readers’ hearts. The same way sharp knives streamline food preparation, revisiting books can help us serve a nourishing repast.
Lord, may the instruction I read enable me to create a tasty feast of words for my readers. Amen.
*A previous version of this post appeared on Inkspirations Online in August of 2020.
Jan Powell, a graduate of the University of South Florida has two small businesses. Through Writing with You, she offers writing services: editing, rewriting, coaching and ghostwriting for fiction and non-fiction. She loves to help polish manuscripts for others. She has been published in The Wordsmith Journal and Splickety Magazine.
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2 Comments
Thank you, Jan, for your tasty encouraging words!
I found several books about writing lately as well; I had simply shelved them. Thank you for reminding us to plan time to hone our skills, not just to write and edit.