Many Words

Two weeks ago I had two followers on Twitter. Two! I don't even know how I had those two since I don't remember signing up for Twitter, nor ever "tweeting" on it, not even once. Then, I got involved with the world's best Facebook group for Authors and Readers - Clean Indies Read. They promote "flinch free fiction" which means books with none of the gratuitous sex, violence, and language you find in so many novels these days. One of their members found me, and invited me to join their group. It was a thrill to find a whole group of authors and readers who felt the same way about books as I did. (My book will be featured on their blog Oct. 3 - http://cleanindiereads.blogspot.com/) Anyway, they have been a great source of knowledge in the writing and marketing world for me, and they advised I develop a Twitter following. Today, only 2 weeks later, I have almost 1,000 followers! (PS- my Twitter "handle" is vicky kaseorg@vickykaseorg. Clever, huh?)

For those of you unfamiliar with Twitter ( as I was a mere 2 weeks ago), you are allowed 140 characters to "tweet" a message. This translates to maybe 20 or 30 words. For long-winded folks like me, this has been an enormous challenge. I only use it to promote my books and blog, and to say all I want to say in 20-30 words is daunting. However, I am learning, and even almost enjoying the economy of words.

I have been told (more than once...ok...20 million times) that one of my greatest failings is getting to the point in less than an hour. This cuts me to the quick since I personally am enthralled by my eloquence. Apparently, I am the only one who feels this way. Yet, isn't it interesting that one of my favorite artists, Henri Matisse, is famous for his economy of line in depicting the essence of what he is drawing? One of his most famous works, a series of sculptural studies of a woman's back, attempts to simplify the form progressively till the fewest lines necessary are chiseled that still clearly represent a woman. This has always interested me, since it is the artistic parallel of finding the crux of a matter, the premise, or the essence.

It is a valuable exercise to reduce all the clutter in one's heart, head, and life. For example, if I could use one word to describe God, what would I say? Love. What would you say?

How about to describe me? I am not sure it is the one word I wish it were.  How about to describe you? How about one word to describe where our heart and passions lie? 

Sometimes simplifying helps us understand not only what is right, but what is wrong.

Yesterday, I wrote answers to a blog interview sent to me, where I was instructed to keep my answers brief. When the interviewer received my answers she sent me a note, "Feel free to expand on these before I post the blog -- when I said brief, I meant for those who felt 300 words was brief."
"I was trying to cut to the essence," I answered laughing, "Too much essence?"
"Highly concentrated," she responded.
Twitter is working.

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Proverbs 10:19 

When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.

Proverbs 17:28 

Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.

James 1:19 

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;

Proverbs 29:20

Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

Proverbs 18:2 

A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.