To all my current and future
#DCSPeeps (DECIDE, COMMIT, SUCCEED), welcome to my new series in my
continuing effort to inspire, amuse, and entertain you! Each Monday I
will select a new word to analyze how it might apply to our writing
lives and also give you a peek into my childhood growing up in the
swamps of southern Louisiana, so kick back, put your feet up, and check
out my story about TODAY'S WORD:
LOSER
When I was a senior in high school, I was the editor of my school paper. I took great pride in making sure I produced the best paper I could and thought I was a winner at that task.
That is, until the day I LOST my position on the paper.
Call it a conflict of viewpoints or even a difference in artistic perceptions, but when the teacher overseeing the paper decided one day it was okay to completely "rewrite" a submitted poem because he didn't like author's interpretation of the subject matter, I walked away from my position in protest.
I felt like a LOSER that day. I wasn't strong enough to stand up to someone demeaning someone else's creative words. If I could have sent the ME I am today back in time to the ME I was back then, I would tell that insecure, introverted teenager that words are worth fighting for.
There are even some words in the English language that just seem to get a bad rap and LOSER is one of them. It used to be if someone called me a LOSER, I would hang my head in shame. My spirit would be shaken and my self-esteem would deflate like a pricked balloon.
But words can be a powerful ally when used in the right way. I should know because one of my dual careers is in the writing field. As an author of picture books as well as a writer of middle school adventure stories and young adult fantasy, I can confidently state I know a thing or two about words.
Take a word like that mean, little ol’ word LOSER.
All I have to do is shine it up a bit, give it some loving’, and before you know it, it’s a word I’m proud to claim as my own! For example:
Today I’m a LOSER of negative self-talk.
Today I’m a LOSER of “haters” who try to get between me and my writing goals.
Today I’m a LOSER of writing low self-esteem and zero self-confidence.
You see, all it takes is looking at certain words from a different perspective. I love this writing community and I proudly stand up for all the beautiful LOSERS I see here!
How about YOU? Are you a LOSER too?
Have an awesome day today because you deserve it!
Children's book author, Donna L
Martin, has been writing since she was eight years old. She is a 4th
Degree Black Belt in TaeKwonDo by day and a 'ninja' writer of
children’s picture books, middle grade chapter books and young adult
novels by night. Donna is a BOOK NOOK REVIEWS host providing the latest
book reviews on all genres of children’s books. She is also a book
reviewer for Harper Collins, and a member of the Society of Children's
Book Writers & Illustrators. Donna is a lover of dark chocolate,
good stories, and an adoptive mom to 20-pound guard kitty in
Knoxville, Tennesse
Donna, thanks for an inspiring article. You have a lot of wisdom to share with young ones as well as us very-oldies! We do need to stand up for writer's rights of expression. Much good information to chew on!
ReplyDeleteHi Susie and welcome to my blog! I don't always know about the wisdom part, but after 40+ years of writing, I'd like to think I might have something to share with others about those wonderful words I dance around with every day...;~)
DeleteThanks for stopping by and come back any time!
I'm a proud loser.
ReplyDeleteI welcome you, Janet, to the LOSER club...;~)
DeleteThanks for stopping by and come back any time!