Are you running out of words SERIOUSLY?
Are you running out of words SERIOUSLY?
The number of words in the English language is 1,035,877,300
This is the estimate by the Global Language Monitor for January 1, 2016. The English Language passed the Million Word threshold on June 10, 2009, at 10:22 a.m. (GMT). Currently, there is a new word created every 98 minutes or about14.7 wordsper day, as of June 10, 2016.
It is my understanding that Rick and Vera create 7.7 of these new words every day, but I digress. The point is that there should NOT be a shortage of words for you to use when communicating with others by, blog, letter, emails, phone calls, smoke signals, hand signals and on and on. Now selecting the “right” words, placing them in the correct order, spelling them correctly, watching out for misplaced modifiers or Heaven forbid dangling participles………..well this an entirely different problem.
To verify my belief, I looked at ONE page from each letter of the alphabet in my Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, and by using only the words on these pages, I was able to write 750 words of “copy” about an interesting topic found amongst those pages in about forty-five minutes. I do not know if that should be considered good or mediocre or bad in regards to output. However, I was happy to know that it was and IS possible.
Are you running out of ideas too? Go to an indoor mall, especially when it is as hot as it is today. Purchase a drink of your choice, sit in a comfortable chair and just W.A.T.C.H. Take a note pad with you and as people walk by or you observe write down ONLY one word to describe what you observed. After an hour or however long you find (or do not find) this to be interesting, go home and “think” about the words you have written down and what memories you recall from your mall experience. As the saying goes, there are no guarantees except taxes and death (and we are working on the death thingy)….but I bet you can write from 500 to a thousand words (no time limit) on what you experienced.
Is there a purpose? I think so because writers write. EVERY day I read posts in WA that are AMAZING, mostly written by very modest people who say they wish they could write. So, take heart dear friends, from today forward you know that if you can find a dictionary or a mall……………….you will be able to write a post!
I hope it is cooler where you are today!
All the best,
Steve
Recent Comments
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Hi Steve,
What a great way to think about things. I might have to try out your indoor mall idea to get my creative juices flowing. I hope you are enjoying your weekend!
Thanks, Steve. You have opened a whole plethora of ideas for me. Now, if I could just find my pen.
Watch out for those Plethora's brother, once they get out of the box........wow ........deep trouble !
LOL - And then put it on Amazon ! We can all attest to the fact that these cages will change lives !
Yes, now I think someone is supposed to send us a certificate or something. I would settle for a beer !
Yes, sitting at the computer, it can be difficult to come up with things to say. A blank page is a frightening thing.
This does not happen with people in front of you.
I have found that when I am with a real person who is interested in my business and is asking me questions, I can not stop talking. The ideas and the explanations flow.
You don't get frightening blank stares from people that you do from the vast whiteness of the computer screen. (For the most part, anyway)
Sit down with someone, a friend, a family member, and have them ask you about your website and your business.
Use your phone to record the conversation.
The excitement of speaking out loud generates energy and inspires more contribution to the conversation.
I bet you could come up with a dozen blog post ideas upon playback of that talk alone.
Nice post, Steve!
That's a fab idea Steve, just to people watch and make notes. I'm a great advocate of writing down the odd word or sentence and then expanding on them. That's so interesting about new words being created every day and I have to agree that between them, Rick and Vera are probably responsible for a good few of them! :)
I would say one of the easiest ways to figure out what to say is to have an opinion, then expand on it.
You would be amazed at how quickly words come into your brain!
Since I have a small one......I have to work fast!! LOL!
And I worked for the government for so long I forgot I had an opinion.
Seriously, Greg, that is an incredibly good point and one that I often forget!
Thanks !
I know, if the the government wanted you to have an opinion, they would have issued you one......LOL.
Glad to help.
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Completely a side note - COMPLETELY
I use grammarly and it will let you know (besides spell checking and grammar) how well you use those "words" :)