Search For The Missing Word

As writers, we like to aesthetically please our readers with the comprehension of compiled words. They visualize the complete product but fail to understand the thought process behind each sentence structuralized for your viewing pleasure; hence, the purpose of Writer’s Smock – to see the nitty-gritty that goes into our work. Although glamorized by readers, writers like myself struggle to search for that missing, or that appropriate word that will leave you “mesmerized”!

Notice above how I wrapped the word mesmerized in quotation marks. As an example, it took me possibly a good 2-3 minutes to contemplate the proper word to identify the notion. It was the first word that came into my mind that I saw best fit. Instead of using words that are maybe less intriguing like “charmed” or “gripped”, I could have used more compelling words such as “spellbound”, “captivated”, “bedazzled”, or “transfixed”. As you can see, I had multiple choices of synonyms to choose from.

Either or, these words are utilized for yours and my appeasement. Writing or typing a sentence is never easy. Finding the best words to reveal that floating intangible of understanding is sewn in the fingertips of my voluntary motion with the pen and paper.

This past week, I came to the conclusion that without resources such as the dictionary or the thesaurus, such words that are boundless to my knowledge may never have been birthed in a given sentence. I use the book of words (hardcopy or electronic) ones every single time. I can’t speak for other writers, but it is a definite requirement for me and will continue to entice you with the words and sentences that I can offer.

Jeff L.

Smock Salute!

Poetry In Motion: The Weekend That Was Poetry

Last weekend was another eventful two days dedicated to the art of bone chilling, heart warming and aesthetically portrayed words, that which we call poetry. Thanks to the Azul Smoker, I gained an experience that had me enveloped in an environment of afro-centrism, hip-hop oriented, finger snapping, and musically inclined feel.

It started at the notorious Nuyorican Poet’s Café by which was my first visit. Honestly, I pictured it as a grandiose atmosphere of waited tables, chairs, big stage, banners, but on the contrary, it was the opposite, nonetheless grand in essence. I watched talented high school kids perform with a passion that evoked a sense of enjoyment in my seated stature. Urban Word NYC will be competing for Nationals next month in the state of California. GO NYC!

On the following day, I spent another exciting evening at Le Poisson Rouge. It was filled with celebrity poets congregated to perform a live show with singing, background instrumentals and floetic vocals on the mic for everybody’s nightly enjoyment. I was enamored by the experience. And what I took from it was the amount of practice, diligence, and preparation required to reach such a big stage. On top of that, the fun, amusement, and jollification; also, the interaction between artists and audience alike, feeding off each other chi, all conducive to a great night of poetry.

On that note, I will be attending more in the future and one day grace the big stage in the near or far future.

Jeff L.

Smock Salute