My passion for the written word, part of my blog sub-title, really comes from the realization that words can be magical. Much like a florist arranging blossoms to create a beautiful bouquet, a chef selecting ingredients to make a delectable dessert, or an artist choosing his colors to paint a moving masterpiece - a writer can create an unforgettable story by her selection of extraordinary words. This generally isn't something that comes easily; it takes years of practice - as I'm finding out! Still, for me, the strong desire to find that special combination of syllables, that not only describe but delight, is an obsession. The crazy thing is that sometimes the most simple phrase will find that magic: "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times..." is one of those phrases that hit the sweet spot when Charles Dickens wrote A Tale of Two Cities. That phrase is so elementary, yet so profound, it has marvelously stood the test of time on its own; even people who have never read the book have heard that phrase. Obviously, to be a published author takes more than tickling the mind of the reader; a great plot, proper pacing, character development, and a number of other elements are needed to create an inspired piece of literature - but it starts with words - magical words!
