Diary of a Writer
Tucked away in a binder. Author's first collection of words started March, 2022.
Author's newest word lists begun November, 2024. Never gathering dust.
WHY COLLECT WORDS AND MORE
June 17, 2025
Physical Task of Writing by Hand.
A consequence of writing down words, the physical motion of forming the letters into words is like a recorder for my brain. Beside the special population in my classroom, a distinctive focus when I taught, having the students shape a word with their hand imprinted on their brain in addition to just seeing it or hearing it. I understand those of us that have difficulty with handwriting. If storing your words in your computer is best for you, that's great.
Many classrooms use computers now instead of the students writing by hand, which is a shame. I feel that forcing the human body to do both handwritten and typed words offers more opportunities for the brain to make connections and record them. If you can, try recording words by hand. There are over seven areas of the brain that process written words. Which explains why I find this practice so invigorating.
I recently pulled out my earliest list of words. I scanned through the one-inch-thick binder that I started three years ago. During this sitting, I uncovered words that I will use in my present novel, which in addition prompted new ideas and sentences. Narratives that lacked description or needed the unexpected. Some added inspiration to a character’s quirk. Some increased details to a scene’s description where there were none. Writers know when they don’t have the right words yet or not enough of them. During the free-writing stage of my novel, I don't worry if my words aren't enough or that I need the uncommon or extraordinary. I always plan to return later. This is when my stacks of words provide new connections.
Also, writing words by hand, often I remember them without checking my Word Banks.
Word Lists Create Possibilities.
At the end of this short session when I thumbed through my word binder, I had assembled thirteen new sentences for my novel. No telling where they will go from there. “Only thirteen,” you might think grimly. Yes, and they do add up. The richness of a story is in the details. The details come from the many minutes in a day when I write. Many minutes can happen at any time. So I take advantage of all of them.
I first began my word logs using white lined 8-1/2” x 11” 3-hole punched paper. Besides writing down the word, I included the definition. I was being very thorough at that time. I don’t do this anymore. I can always look the work up if I have doubts or questions. My newest stack of sheets with words on them sits to the left of me on my desk. They never leave that spot. They remind me of their importance and my stick-to-it-ness.
I add blank pages when the last one fills up. I try to remember the habit of placing a date when I start a new page. I add words using a yellow no. 2 pencil or my Sharpie, whichever is handy. Or what my right hand and brain prefers to hold. Like my young students, I have my preferences.
My Primary Focus is on Nouns and Verbs.
I include some adjectives, and occasionally I write down phrases, such as gone before and balance returned. Also, I have a separate collection of adverbs. Early on, I created lists of words before the 12th and 13th century,
An interesting result of writing down words, often my brain suddenly comes up with new sentences for my novel. In that case, I write my sentences below the last word written. I mark the spot with a darkened rectangle before the sentence, referencing that it is fresh writing for my novel. Later when I open the page, I find the sentences quickly.
Three years ago when I began teaching myself writing, I learned something quickly. I must follow the adage, show vs tell. To do this, I needed to increase my vocabulary of strong nouns and verbs. As I wrote, I realized my storage of nouns in my brain had the lowest deposits. My early teaching days reminded me of what I had my students do. So, I started my own Word Bank. Since nouns anchor a sentence, they became the prime real estate in my word logs and are still three years later.
Then there are verbs. They are the steering boat for the nouns. Whether it is action, a chance event, or physical or mental state, verbs like miracles are in high demand. Sometimes they outshine my nouns because they are so good. This is the reason it is hard to give up sentences we like. Nouns and verbs can do such an excellent job. They take our breath away. Sometimes it’s the case where I have a sentence that repeats what I said a sentence prior just in a unique way. So, I choose which one is better or I combine the best of both.