Penchant for Penning

Wednesday, August 15, 2018

QUIESCENT – Wordplay Wednesday™ 08/15/18

Too Busy to Think? Meditate.

Some people who have never tried meditating, think it’s a practice in which you must sit alone in total silence, and go into some type of weird body-mind-spirit-soul inner trance.

Sure, it can be that. It can also be a half hour of soothing music* while you still your mind, or a full day, communing with nature.

For most of us, however, we struggle to find five minutes of peace. You know what? That’s okay. Use it. Super-short meditation breaks are great for your mind and body.

It’s the essence of meditation that gives you a mental break. Close your eyes, shut down your thoughts, and be …

QUIESCENT (kwī esʹɘnt; kwē-) adj. – quiet, still, inactive. [WW #177]

This week’s word is most likely in use by creative writers for its elegant length and unique definition in place of common, uninspiring words we all know.

Imagine a quiescent morning at the edge of the Grand Canyon, with only the hushed chatter of nature dancing on the air of a glowing dawn.

In our world of incessant noise, find “your place” of quiescent peace to think, dream, plan, write, or simply, be.

It’s that place where you can sit alone** for five or ten minutes, or an hour—the noise may still be there, but your personal distractions are not—the rest fades away. Only your peace of mind is present and quiescent. It’s good for your soul.

Word Challenge: QUIESCENT. Before you begin working or writing, or when stuck in the middle of it with a noisy mind, take a short break and meditate. It often helps to take four to eight deep breaths to still your mind***. There are no rules; no right or wrong way, just look within for your peace, as you fit quiescent into your week of enlightened writings. Ahhhhhhh.

Learning knows no prejudices or boundaries, and it isn’t fattening! Expanding your mind is a no-cost simple joy. Do you feel that way too? What’s your inspiration? Share your creative genius and Wordplay Wednesday comments below.

Write first for yourself … only then can you write for others. (L.Rochelle)

'Til next time ... Cheers to a wonderful "wordful" week …

@PenchantForPen

@Irishwriter

* "The Grand Canyon Suite" by Ferde Grofé: For pleasure, turn your speakers up, it begins very slow and quietly, like the dawn … for meditation, keep the volume low.

** It can even be in front of the computer; though not around electronics is recommended.

*** Breathe in through your nose, hold for 2-3 seconds and expel through your mouth.

LinDee Rochelle is a writer and editor by trade, and an author by way of Rock & Roll. She has published two books (of three) in her Blast from Your Past series, available on Amazon (eBook and print): Book 1 – Rock & Roll Radio DJs: The First Five Years 1954-1959; and Book 2 – Rock & Roll Radio DJs: The Swinging Sixties. Coming soon, … The Psychedelic Seventies!

E-N-Dzzzzzzzz

Wednesday, August 8, 2018

Discursive – Wordplay Wednesday™ 08/08/18

Skipping is Fun … Except in Essays

We all know there is a vicious struggle going on between millennials and boomers, and everyone in-between, regarding grammar (and a number of other topics).

Boomers were taught “by the rules,” millennials were taught but decided most of the rules are rubbish, and then there are those in-betweeners. Like in fashion, it appears these days, anything goes …

DISCURSIVE (di skurʹsiv) adj. – 1) wandering from one topic to another; skimming over many apparently unconnected subjects, rambling, desultory, digressive; 2) based on the conscious use of reasoning rather than on intuition. [WW #176]

How can something be curvy and straight at the same time? When it’s discursive, of course. Dissecting the word, we find dis—to cause to be the opposite of—and cursive—flowing, not disconnected. Does that lead us to a straight line? It can, in an essay.

In my staid English, journalism, speech, and creative writing education, oh, so many years ago, we were discouraged from—often reprimanded for—writinge ssays in a rambling, disconnected manner.

Yet, we can now find tips and suggestions all over the ‘Net for writing a “good” discursive essay! In my day, as the saying goes, that’s an oxymoron.

“The main idea of writing discursive essays,” say the folks at MasterPapers.com, “is to set some arguments.” Like we need more reasons and ways to debate in this world!

Although it follows the standard essay structure, discursive wanders around four to six argumentative points, rather than focusing on two or three. I maintain that most people who write them can’t sustain a proper flow for that many points. As for the reader … how confused are thee?!

BUT: Vocabulary.com at least makes the oxymoronic definition amusing: “If people accuse you of rambling from topic to topic in your speech or writing, they may say you have a discursive style — with changes in subject that are hard to follow. But it's okay because unicorns are shiny.” (Seriously, I did not add the unicorn bit—though it is my style.)

Doesn’t that rather follow the problem we have in today’s scatter-brain world? No subject holds our attention for more than a few seconds—and now we’re expected to create worthy essays that support discursive thinking?

There was a reason that for millennia, essays adhered to basic rules of writing. For well-rounded and thought-provoking consideration, one, two, or maximum of three divergent hypotheses were explored, before presenting an informed conclusion.

Our brains need time, room to expand properly on a thought or theory, and open flow, to form opinions that a discursive essay confounds.

Word Challenge: DISCURSIVE. Focus on your primary literary goal with each paper, essay, or commentary you write, as you fit discursive into your week of coherent and polished writings.