Bend your words, don't let them bend you.

by Stuart Smith
(South Africa)

I am a professional bladesmith by trade and am writing a novel on the side. In comparing the two disciplines I find similar threads. In bladesmithing I am forging steel to my will. This is not always easy and the metal can have a life of its own. I have to be confident and land my hammer blows to bend it to my will. In the end I have a well formed blade in the shape I desire. The same can be said of wordsmiths. We forge our words onto the page and if left unchecked they can run away leaving us pondering what went wrong.

I often get enthusiastic in my narrative and lose my way. I find that getting back to the point/plot of my story helps me smooth out the rough edges. When I am done I can see where I went astray and can then correct and continue writing.

You are the wordsmith, bend the words to your will.