Word Choice

"Word choice can be important," the character of MOM says in my play, or what she will.

While the line, obviously, connects to the scene and the dialogue between the characters in that scene, it also acts as a reminder to me.

Word choice can be important.

I can be a stickler for word choice and phrasing. If I am recalling a conversation between a friend and myself, I often will harp on the exact words used. (Now, of course, I like to believe that I always remember the exact words used, but probably don't. And, funny, I am often not a stickler for exact words when I am in the wrong...haha...right...wonder why...)

Word choice is important because it can change meaning, however subtle, and change understanding. Word choice can win an argument, set you free, or have you trapped. We see this on TV all the time. Someone slips up, uses a phrase or word that can be misinterpreted and 24 hours later we have apologies on Twitter, Facebook, and CNN.

As a writer, I sometimes struggle with word choice. Of course, I want my character to say the right thing in the right way, but I am not always convinced there is a right way. There are lines in literature that we quote again and again because the words are so perfect. Very often though, it is one line out of hundreds. Sometimes you hit the nail on the head and sometimes you don't. And I think that is okay.

As a playwright though, word choice gets combined with the actor's voice, body language, actions. How does an actor say the words? What is he or she doing when saying the words? I was watching the Audrey Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart version of Sabrina last week. Bogart has a line "If you'll excuse me, it appears I have a previous engagement".  Now, I am a huge fan of the Harrison Ford and Julia Ormond version of Sabrina. In it, Ford has the same line. Same words. But there is something about the way Ford says it that makes the scene work for me in a way that it didn't work when Bogart said it (I know, sacrilege...). It may also be because I've watched both movies and have watched both  Sabrinas interact with their Linus. I see how Ford's feelings get all complicated in a way I don't see Bogart's (I know, I know, sacrilege again...). So I believe Ford when he says that line because, yes, well, he does have previous engagement...to be with Sabrina. Duh. (This is the time I also admit that I've loved Harrison Ford since before I could speak so, yes, I am biased.) So, word choice is all good, but delivery AND prior actions can make all the difference.

Long before my boyfriend and I discussed our usage of the word "love" and the phrase "I love you", I knew that he loved me. His actions and the delivery of other phrases showed me his love. He isn't big on the phrase I love you for a variety of reasons. When I explained this to some people, they said, yeah, well, I'd want to hear the word love. Using that word is an important choice. And I get that. It is. Word choice is important and choosing to use a word or not to use a word can affect how you relate, understand, communicate...This is true in writing and in real life. But I also know that I dated someone who said I love you and definitely didn't mean it. His actions showed me that. Actions speak louder than words...sometimes, at least.

In my writing, I can choose to have the character say the "right" words and/or choose to have the character show the sentiment in other ways even if the words they are saying aren't the "right" ones. In my writing, sometimes the word choice will be of the utmost importance and sometimes I'll just shrug my shoulders and move on. That is a choice too. Choosing not to harp on the choice.

Shakespeare is awesome. The words are awesome. But if you've ever sat through a bad production of a Shakespeare play, you know that words aren't always enough to carry you through. Still, though, imagine how much worse the production would be if the words weren't carefully chosen.

Word choice is important. So are actions and delivery. Sometimes all three are in my hands and sometimes I am only looked to for the words. Either way, I am forced to acknowledge the choices that I am making.