This is Words Matter Week. I planned to participate, doing the blog prompts, but unfortunately real life is eating my online time, so I haven’t had a chance to answer the questions. I thought the blog challenges would make a great discussion, however, and even better, I don’t have to come up with something interesting for us talk about.
Here are the challenges for this week:
What is the most important word or words in your life? Why?
Communication breaks down when words are misused. What is the funniest, most interesting, or worst break-down you’ve ever observed?
Writers are people who take isolated words and craft them into memorable phrases, stories, poems and plays. Who are the writers who make your heart sing? What is the magic ingredient?
If you had to eliminate one word or phrase from the English language, what would it be? Why?
What person in your life helped you understand the importance of choosing words carefully? What would you say to them if you met them today?
The group No Whine, Just Champagne will meet on gather.com for discussion about words, writing, and the writing life on Thursday, March 4, 2010 at 9:00pm ET. I hope you will stop by — it would be nice to see you.
If you can’t make the live discussion, we can have an unlive one here. You first.
Bertram's Blog 
March 5, 2010 at 8:02 am
I have to think about this. It’s harder because so many words in French describe feelings while English signifies clarity. But I’ll have to get back to you because Faith, Love, and Believe are too easy.
March 5, 2010 at 8:00 pm
When it comes to a word to eliminate I think “hate” would be a good choice… the word itself and all its offshoots, like bullying, racism, bigotry, etc.
March 6, 2010 at 8:12 am
Good answer, Carol. It helped me to decide. I think I’d like to cancel “Stupid”. Which would include the phrase, “Hey, stupid.”
Self-explanatory, eh?
March 8, 2010 at 6:06 pm
Without a doubt, the most important, the most beautiful word in my life is “yes.” Three little letters, and yet I find no other word quite so powerful, nor as humbling. It speaks simply and elegantly of promise, it embodies kindness, it conveys longing and hope and love. Yes. Absolutely, yes.