Tuesday, July 24, 2007

When writers trip over their words

Sometimes, as a lover of words, one pushes the envelope, one tests one's limits -- and sometimes, that leads to mistakes.

I recently wrote a bit of verse (In a Dusty City), in which I concluded with a stanza about a hospitable shopkeeper "repining." My intent was to use a synonym for rest or slumber that followed the flow of the words.

Something about that somewhat archaic word, which lies at the far edge of my verbal comprehension, bothered me and I finally broke down and checked it in the dictionary.

Oops.

"Repine" means to complain -- not what I intended at all. "Repose" was what I had meant to say.

So all of you who were wondering why the shopkeeper spent the night complaining instead of sleeping, now know the answer: his writer made him do it.

8 comments:

Rebecca said...

Funny how the eye reads what is SUPPOSED To be there. Context indicated repose, and that is what I read....so much for the editor in me!

Eastcoastdweller said...

Well, technically, he COULD have been repining. Perhaps he found himself unable to repose comfortably that night.

Maybe because his tummy was empty, he having sacrificed his humble dinner for the sake of his mysterious supplicant.

Or maybe She snored, loud enough to keep him awake in whatever corner he was attempting to snooze.

The muse urged me to quit writing before introducing any such disturbing details.

Rebecca said...

Not sure I agree with your comment. Your host's character didn't indicate that quality at all, to your Muse's credit. He gladly gave up his rations to his guest, and would have heard her snoring as music indicated that she was still among the living.

Or, perhaps I read too much into it!

Eastcoastdweller said...

Rebecca, You and my muse have obviously had a conversation over coffee somewhere.

I think You are exactly right. Ali or whatever that shopkeeper's name turns out to be, would certainly not be a complainer by nature, but rather a joyous man, a simple man, a rug-dealer I am thinking based on the materials he had on hand in his shop.

He's obviously a simple man who found himself unexpectedly and richly blessed by the visit of a beautiful supplicant, for whom no sacrifice could be too great.

couragetocreatewriteandlove said...

Good luck in your quest for the search of Isis.
How old are you?
I think you are a good writer...
I would like to read of your personal quest ramblings or books.

Eastcoastdweller said...

Carmen:

The "search for Isis" is the attempt to bring the contributions of Women to humanity out of obscurity; to uplift and honor Women today; and to heal the wounds between the genders.

It will take a lifetime or more and it will not be something that I can do alone. It will take the efforts of both Women and men -- of people like You, Carmen, who know the truth and will share it, here or elsewhere, with people who don't.

I'm in my early thirties.

The search for Isis is not the subject of any book I have written but it should be. Thank You for the inspiration.

couragetocreatewriteandlove said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Eastcoastdweller said...

Thank You again, Carmen. Comments to my blog are like letters in my mailbox -- so I am quite happy to answer them.

If someone has gone to the effort not only to read my blog but to comment on it, I sure want to show my gratitude for that.