I’ve loved words all of my life. I’ve always been a writer, and my relationship with words on a written page has gone through ups and downs, like any relationship, but I always end up back with them–writing again.
Reading gives me extreme pleasure. I would rather read and write than do just about anything else.
When I read something exceptionally well written, I stroke the pages, lovingly. Now you all know how warped I am. But maybe not.
According to a study conducted by scientists in Great Britain, certain phrases stimulate pleasure centers in the brain. Of course, they were specifically studying books and words by famous mystery writer, Agatha Christie, but still….
The article I read said:
Scientists in Britain say they’ve cracked the mystery surrounding the popularity of Agatha Christie’s murder novels.
Neurolinguistic researchers at three universities studied more than 80 of her novels and have concluded her phrases activate a pleasure response. Neurolinguists explore the relationship between language and brain function.
Now, I’ve read maybe one Agatha Christie novel in my life, so I’m not saying they are right. It didn’t stimulate me enough to read more, but I do have that kind of relationship with other writers. Barbara Kingsolver, particularly, comes to mind. She writes such beautiful prose.
And I notice this from other writers, too. Dennis Lehane is one of the most lyrical, beautiful writers I’ve ever had the pleasure to read. M.J. Rose is another enchanting, lyrical writer, whose words literally sing to me.
Where other women are turned by six-pack abs, or broad, sculptured shoulders, I have a passion for words.
I know, I know, I’m crazy. How about you?
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I have a penchant for broad, sculptured shoulders reciting Shakespeare.
I have a passion for chocolate…
But seriously, I do believe in the power of words. I know that certain phrases or words will get an emotional response from some readers, unless they are cliche then we all just roll our eyes
Interesting, Natalie! Now we must harness this power to lure in more and more readers!
I agree, Natalie. And we’re all unique, different writers will appeal to different readers. The “top sellers” appeal to the broadest people, like Nora Roberts who always delivers satisfying stories. While I prefer her JD Robb books, I’ve rarely been disappointed by anything she writes.
A
How interesting. I’m sure I’ve read all of Agatha Christie’s books. Not sure if her words strike a *pleasure response*, I just thought she told a good story–like Nora Roberts or Jennifer Crusie does. I think articles like this buys into the theory that there’s a secret handshake and if we know it, we too can become bestsellers.
I remember first reading To Kill A Mockingbird when I was about 14. When I read the first page – I can’t remember the exact words – but she talked about it all happening the summer Jem broke his arm. It was a perfect opening. We all pin things on stuff that happens to us – even things with larger meaning than our lives will ever have. The phrasing, the language never let me down that whole book.
So I agree. I’m in love with words, too. And how they are put together. You mentioned three of my favorite writers. I’d say we have similar tastes in books, but maybe just a similar love of language.
That’s why it’s so disheartening to see the decline in the English language. I just read that only something like 30% of college seniors can demonstrate proficiency in written English. I can believe it.
Lately I’ve been seeing “Lead” being used where “led” is meant. Not just occasionally but consistently. Yesterday I read “mislead” referring to a politician who lied (surprise). So I guess correct spelling is disappearing too.
That’s why it’s such a treat to read someone like Kingsolver who uses the language so beautifully.
Mo
ps. Allison – when you say “broadest people” were you talking about weight?
I remember in my teens being passionately in love with anything Ray Bradbury. The man could describe an apple and I could taste it. Weilding a pen and placing words so precisely to intently draw the reader into a world, captivating both time and sense, is an ability gifted to special writers and good poets. Unfortunately media, entertainment, hand-tied teachers, unconcerned parents, and teens trying to make their own nitch have led to the disintegration of American English. It is sad that words are added annually to the modern lexicon just because of their use, not because of their properness.
I share that same word passion, Natalie, and share the same disheartenment as Cele regarding the disintegration of English. Although I understand that most people speak and write using words most comfortable to them, I can’t understand the destruction of the words they choose to use. I can’t tell you the number of business emails I get that are misspelled, contain no caps, or use instant message codes; ‘Are you’–r u. Makes you wonder what some of the best selling titles will be thirty years from now.. How 2 B Kewl in Tin Words or
ROFLOL, Mo!!! I think I forgot some words in my comments. I meant the broadest GROUP of people, books that have a more universal appeal because they deal with issues or ideas that a large group of people would be most likely to think about.
Vogler talks about universal themes in his book THE WRITERS JOURNEY and what makes a bestselling film. A lot of his ideas transcend to writers.
Good vs evil is a classic “universal theme” that resonates with a broad (large, not wide!) audience.
Allison (who’d better start thinking about her word choices!)