A turn of phrase

I went over to my folk's house the other night and we listened to a short-story, The Night Bookmobile, by Audrey Niffenegger (read by Christina Pickles and presented by Selected Shorts). Rather eerie, but very thought-provoking.

We started talking about favorite authors and their wonderful use of language. A sentence or phrase that causes you to think, "I'd never have thought to use that wording for this person/ place/ thing/ situation, but it's perfect". Words that evoke an emotional response or allow you to 'see' what's going on.

Mother asked me which I'd rather have to live without, beautiful music or beautiful words. This is a tough one, because I really enjoy both. I think, though, if I had to make a choice I'd rather live without the beautiful music than miss the beautiful words.

That's part of what this blog is about, after all. An opportunity to tune my use of words, to pin down coherently the thoughts tumbling chaotically about in my brain. I sometimes will let a post ferment in my head for several days before it gets typed up, and even then I may go back and change it many times before I hit the 'publish' button. (OK, sometimes I'll change it even after then.)

I was mentally composing this one at 3am this morning. I hate it when I wake up and can't go back to sleep. I feel like the 'before' picture of one of those prescription sleep-aid advertisements.

What does this have to do with knitting? After all, this is mainly a blog about knitting. Nothing, of course. But I've realized that some of the blogs I enjoy reading most not only have interesting content but often have that great use of words. Part of the reason I started blogging was to emulate those bloggers and authors I admire the most.

It's all about my search for a perfect turn of phrase.