Liz Strauss at Successful Blog

Thinking, writing, business ideas … You’re only a stranger once.

August 10, 2007

The Sound of Words

ME Liz Strauss wrote this at 7:46 am

I've been thinking . . .

about the words inside my head.

If I were born deaf, would they be there?

I might care even more about words than the average writer. I don’t care as much about typographical errors. I try to wrestle errors down when I am able, but it’s the words and how they fit together that turn me on. . . . I like the way they look on the screen and on paper. I like the way they sound in my head as I think them.

I think about what individual words mean. Words like know, understand, comprehend — I spend time deciding which one to use. Sometimes I go for the musical ones — despicable sounds like a drummer drumming, sincerity sounds a tango is ready to begin.

I keep a Special Categoy, a healing place, for the words that need their meaning back . . . Most have suffered the torture of being locked onto holiday cards. peace, joy, compassion. forgiveness, joy. greetings, good will

Words connect us and with the sound of voices. We use them to seal our pacts. I do. I love you. I promise. All of those are more than words.

Words explain what we do and who we are.

Love, hope, destiny, conversation, imagination, creativity, freedom. understanding, faith, brave kind

We are so hungry to be heard. We sometimes talk about anything.

Sometimes people listen to the words we say.

I read that. . . . People born deaf have no words. If they learn sign that’s the language of how they think. The signs are their words. They even sign in their sleep.

I don’t suppose people born deaf feel brave or alone without words inside their heads. Yet I imagine they still have the same wish to be heard.

Brave and vulnerable is what it takes to stand tall when so many people can’t stop to listen to our most important words.

What happens to our words when we forget to listen?

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25 Comments to “The Sound of Words”

  1. August 10th, 2007 at 8:43 am
    Alina Popescu said

    Interesting question. I think when we forget to listen, our own words become meaningless, void of thoughts. They become mechanical, automatic and cold.

  2. August 10th, 2007 at 10:50 am
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Alina!
    I’m thinking much the same thing Alina. That when folks don’t listen what they say themselves loses heart and what I say to them falls flat because I have no heart to connect with. :)

  3. August 10th, 2007 at 11:44 am
    April Groves said

    Liz - You are phenom!

    I try to wrestle errors down when I am able, but it’s the words and how they fit together that turn me on. . . . I like the way they look on the screen and on paper. I like the way they sound in my head as I think them.

  4. August 10th, 2007 at 11:58 am
    ME Strauss said

    Hey April,
    It’s fun to have you up there crawling around in my head. :)

  5. August 10th, 2007 at 12:29 pm
    Velanche said

    Good Day To You, Liz:
    Words are feisty, spirited, primal things when imagination runs wild and free. I’ve never really given that much thought as to why the eloquence of words can cast a spell on unsuspecting readers. I like to think that when used well, that it’s almost has the kind of bountiful energy akin to when we were children in grade school; curious minds that absorb everything around them, then give back to the world irregardless of their inner censor.

    Of course nowadays, many adults have forgotten such things and writing becomes a laborious task with many a cobweb to shake. I like to think that we never lose the gift of being a child for awhile, and letting the words flow free before the requisite assemblage of editing into that which will be shared to (one hopes) an thoughtful public.

    One of the things I’ve been told is that I’m a very good listener. I’m not perfect; sometimes, I do lapse here and there. But when I become attentive and just be, and allow the person to share and talk, for me there’s an inner thrill to be immerse in the wonder of other’s lives. I’m even shared their innermost thoughts and secrets, which are gifts in of themselves.

    As for how this relates to writing, listening to me is an art form best served with love. This, too, is how I envision my writings; for when I’m at my most instinctual, uncensored self, the rational side gives in to my inner child fully.

    And the results…well, you’re reading it.

    Clearly Liz, your words beckon that of a great listener.

    I’m re-reading what I’ve written; that was deep. It’s the moment, you know.

  6. August 10th, 2007 at 1:23 pm
    Mike said

    Liz,

    Paying attention to words as you describe allows me to transform from a scribbler to a composer of word symphonies, which brings me joy!

    I think when we fail to listen, our words turn their backs on us and go find people who will. It’s sad in a way, but multiplies the power that good writers have over the rest.

    Mike

  7. August 10th, 2007 at 1:24 pm
    Mike said

    Mea culpa! I wrote “good”, when I meant to say “disciplined, listening”.

  8. August 10th, 2007 at 4:22 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Velanche!
    Words are feisty,energetic and ellusive. They flit when we want them to flutter. At times they hide, especially that one right word tha we search for. At times, like refrigerator magnets, they come stuck together in piles that when they quit climging to each other can say something elegant and simply, so somple that it could be profound.

    You write like a listener. I hear that in the careful way you choose words. You make each choice with respect to what the words convey. You listen to what you are saying as a reader listens. That’s an art.

  9. August 10th, 2007 at 4:24 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Mike!
    I’ve read your word symphonies. They are filled with joy!

    Great writers, those with discipline who listen, hear the words and the unsaid message in the space between. You sir, are particularly adept at that. :)

  10. August 10th, 2007 at 6:52 pm
    Teresa Valdez Klein said

    Did you read the “My Turn” in last week’s Newsweek in which the bioethics professor said sloppy writing leads to sloppy thinking? Very interesting.

    Also, Mark Twain said that the difference between the right word and the almost right word was the difference between the lightening and the lightening bug.

  11. August 10th, 2007 at 8:10 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Teresa!
    Welcome!
    I’m a big believer that writing reveals how well we’re thinking about any subject. Put my words down in text and soon enough I’ll see the flaws in my arguments.

    I’m sure glad I didn’t try to catch lightning by mistake on a warm summer night in my childhood. :)

  12. August 10th, 2007 at 8:11 pm
    Velanche said

    Thanks for the kind words, Liz.

    Soon, I shall be airborne with words aplenty when my new blog appears to the world. Of course, blogs such as yours will help aid in this journey of mine, allowing whatever will be to unfold.

    Enjoy your weekend, and this goes for everyone else.

  13. August 10th, 2007 at 8:13 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Velanche,
    I cannot wait to see your new blog flying!

  14. August 10th, 2007 at 9:25 pm
    GP said

    The intrepid innkeeper checks in before a weekend of house guests and horses. In my never to be humble opinion, hearing and listening are virtually two different animals. A listener and listening are a gift

    To be cherished when they hear you
    gp in montana

  15. August 10th, 2007 at 9:28 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi GP!
    I hear you!

  16. August 10th, 2007 at 11:05 pm
    Mike said

    Liz,

    I thank you for that most delightful compliment! And GP is (as ever) the oracle of Big Sky Country in pointing out the difference between hearing and listening.

    Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

    Mike

  17. August 11th, 2007 at 9:02 am
    ME Strauss said

    Hey Mike!
    Wonderful Weekend to you as well!

  18. August 11th, 2007 at 10:36 am
    GP said

    mike, thanx for that.. i heard that :) Here in big sky country where I’m hoping the infamous thoroughbred mare Picken is both listenin’ and hearing as we take off for the forest with d.h. and another riding bud.

    funny, how picken can hear the breakfast bell with stunning acuity!

    gp in montana

  19. August 11th, 2007 at 11:10 am
    ME Strauss said

    Hi GP!
    Do you think picken can hear us talking about him?

  20. August 11th, 2007 at 8:06 pm
    Kirk M said

    Do deaf folks have words? Well, let’s look at this way; in reading there are words and imagination gives these flight that draws images within their minds, fleshing them out into all dimensions. And perhaps without all the distraction of the everyday noise that we who can hear have become used to, their words may become even more powerful than they are for us since there is no “dilution” that hearing instills.

    I’m sure deaf folks have words, I just don’t know how they would “sound” like. ;)

    I once had a young blind women (a librarian actually) tell me that she wasn’t missing anything by not having her sight and that one of the things that bothered her the most was when people felt sorry for her because she had been blind since birth. “What am I missing out on?” She asked. That makes perfect sense to me.

    Would a person who was born without hearing feel the same way? I’m a man who had perfect hearing (and a sound engineer at one time) who is now legally deaf and my problem is self perpetuating. Where I would be missing a lot if and when I lost my hearing entirely I know that the person who had been deaf since birth would definitely have the advantage.

    And I’ve always been a natural listener.

    Not complaining…just making an observation.

    Your post did it to me again, Liz. :)

  21. August 11th, 2007 at 8:11 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Kirk,
    The question is whether people born without hearing have the sound of words in their heads. . . . they could not. How could they? It’s impossible for me to imagine, just as for them I figure they cannot imagine the words inside mine.

    I don’t know what it’s like to smell. . . . :)

  22. August 11th, 2007 at 8:28 pm
    zamejias said

    great reading i have here…truly, it’s wonderful to be able to hear and listen..and not just talk and talk all the time..actually it’s rewarding to be able to hear and feel what others think and feel..

  23. August 11th, 2007 at 9:11 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Zamejas!
    Welcome!
    I hear what you are saying. Yes, sometimes listening is the most fulfilling part of being there. :)

  24. August 11th, 2007 at 9:28 pm
    GP said

    good food for thought as i rode picken (who’s very much a SHE!) today.. horses can hear but not our language and since they’re mono-vision, unless their head is tipped sideways a bit.. .a rider on back is in their blind spot. Yet we manage to communicate (at least most of the time!)

    The lessons of the animal kingdom

    GP in Montana

  25. August 11th, 2007 at 9:31 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi GP!
    My apology to picken. SHE is very wise. I find the way a rider and a horse communicate almost magic to say the least. :)

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