The magic of writing

This past week, I unexpectedly lost someone very dear to me.

While reminiscing with my family, between our memories, laughter and tears, I helped craft words for a tribute booklet.

It was a privilege to help put into words the feelings and sentiments we all shared.

It reminded me that often our thoughts come into clearer focus through the act of writing them down.

‘I write to discover what I know.’
Flannery O’Connor

It also reminded me that finding the right words is a skill.

‘Don’t tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass.’
Anton Chekhov

When I was very young, one of my favourite pastimes was stringing random letters together to see if I could create words.

Growing up, I discovered the magic of books and spent much of my time in Narnia, a secret garden in Yorkshire, or messing about in boats with the wind in the willows overhead.

This love of words and curiosity about people and stories led to a career working with words for the past 30 years.

This is true whether I’m editing to help express messages more clearly, rewriting to connect more strongly with readers, or writing thoughts into words.

I feel privileged to be able to do this for a living.

 

‘Written words can also sing’
Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o

 

Cinden Lester has more than 25 years’ experience as a professional writer, editor and communications specialist. She worked as a broadcast journalist, in private sector marketing and public relations, and in government communications before establishing her own Canberra-based communications consultancy in 2000. Contact Cinden if you’d like help with your communications.