Technology is great for a creative writer, but it also can drive apathy. Don’t take me wrong; I’ll take my MacBook over a quill and parchment any day. But technology can rob a writer of the fundamentals, namely having a weighty toolbox of words – spelled correctly – at the ready, right in the old noggin.
Moderation may be key, but just try catching a misspelled word without spell checker flagging it. Can’t think of a synonym? Thesaurus is a click away. If you even start to type a word on a smart phone, a menu of options come up – singular, plural, past and present. Moderation is tough with the pusher man always waiting in the wings.
In truth, I find these tools helpful, particularly as I supply creative writing on demand 40 hours per week. But I still need to actively build my core word knowledge; otherwise I may be at a loss for words when I should be waxing poetic.
What’s a writer to do? Funny enough, the Words with Friends app is helping my cause lately. Not only does it require me to spell correctly, but it also challenges me to tap into my bevy of word knowledge. Plus, other players teach me new words. Who knew the word “suq” means “open-air marketplace?” I’ll tell you who: Mascara26.
So, I guess technology kills, and it saves. Thanks, Words with Friends. Or should I say, deepest gratitude or much obliged.
Check it out for yourself – available for iPhone and Android.
Look for me: jmjones202
