Words
The clarity and power of a piece of writing can come from the simplest of words. "Only," for instance, can hold the weight of a heavy paragraph -- or even a story -- as Orleans reminded us one day. We just have to learn to take our time and notice each word -- By truly writing to think, we become better readers, better writers, and more important, better thinkers in our search for truth.
-Myra McLarey
A note from Myra: The importance of free writing, focused free writing, and writing to prompts (all of which require using writing to think): As with all your writing, on your early stages, brush away the concern about mechanics, structure, formulas, etc. On a focused free write, whatever the focus or question, just keep writing whatever you notice. Keep your pen moving. The more you notice, the more you will discover the richness of texts you are reading and the richness that comes with letting your writing be your thinking—and you will find the word or words—and the thoughts—that eluded you—and you will notice what you see more as well.
“Words were a powerful through-line in Myra’s teaching, but what has stayed with me, more than the words themselves, is the hunt for those words. The right words. The exact words needed to communicate my point—or paint my picture. What an admirable hunger she instilled in me. The pursuit of the perfect word seems beyond daunting. And yet, I am invigorated by the challenge.
Thank you, Myra.”
Briana Middleton ’16
“When I think of the influence Ensworth had on me as I forged relationships with lifelong friends, learned about teamwork, sportsmanship, Hamlet, Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave,” the difficult journey our country has made—among the many others who helped me find the path I want to take, Myra McLarey stands out. I believe, wholeheartedly, I could not have gotten where I am today without Myra’s guidance in the classroom—and on the track (as brutal as that was). Her passion for writing and her creativity had a profound impact on my life— I am never without a little journal—sometimes, I simply write what I see/notice. Sometimes those words find their way into a poem or piece of fiction that will never see the light of day. Sometimes I run them by Ms. McLarey for her feedback—and that always helps me give life to those words—each word. I see her fervor for life in me. If you didn’t have the luxury to be a student of Myra McLarey, I sincerely pity you.
Myra, you are one powerful woman. ”
Maggie McGraw ’16
“That childhood saying: “sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.” Well it is simply a terrible lie. More untrue than anything you ever tell a child. It should read ‘sticks and stones may break my bones but words can depopulate entire countries—words can breed and bring about holocausts. Pay deep attention to the words.”
(Richard Bausch—author of many acclaimed novels and short stories.)
“For words to work, the truth of what you are saying has to be the fulcrum, or the foundation. When truth is abandoned, the words become mere tools, tools which sooner or later need to be backed up with violence.”
(Brady Peterson—poet, and Myra’s nephew)
Words
Where do words come from?
From what rippled currents are they born
On what sea breeze are they carried
What rivers brought them to our banks
Their past is the breaking of waves through
The steady rhythm of water flowing
The wading through endless streams of thought
Sometimes
They range from coast to coast swell with fury
Expand across regions unknown
Crystallize in flakes right off a man’s tongue
Attach to the coats of travelers in heavy rain
Dig holes in the hearts of others
Breathe out fire creating steam on wet ground
Words are drenched thoughts
The keys to linking each mind to the other
They settle in lonely trenches
Or permeate through jagged seas
Lend their sounds to the rain, the oceans, the puddles
Their existence forever drifting
Gentry Hopkins ’18
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