Barbara McNichol Editorial Services

Add power and persuasion to your books, articles, and one-sheets

  • Home
  • Editing
  • WordShops™
  • Word Trippers
  • Products
  • Praise
  • Portfolio
  • Blog
  • About
  • Contact

When Good Words Turn Bad

February 4, 2017 by Barbara McNichol Leave a Comment

by Teresa Funke (used with permission)
While listening to a friend talk the other day about a moment of personal discovery, I had a realization . . . there are many words I use that I’d always thought of as good words, but I realized in certain circumstances, even a good word can turn “bad.”Take “wish” for example – a word full of positive energy and hopefulness. “Make a wish, honey,” we say.
But just as often when I say the words “I wish,” they are followed by negatives. “I wish she’d stop that. I wish I didn’t have to do this. I wish this wasn’t so stupid.”And what about this one, “I am.” Such a powerful statement on its own, but just as often, it leads off sentences like, “I am not very good at that. I’m too slow. I am such an idiot.”Then there are words like “never” or “always,” which for all the times they can be used in the positive, can just as often be used in the negative.
As a writer, two of my favorite words when paired together are “What if?” That question has spawned many a great story. But I sometimes catch myself slipping toward doubt when I use these words. “What if it doesn’t work? What if she doesn’t like it? What if I’m wrong?”Then again, I’m just as likely to use a negative phrase in a positive way. Take the phrase “So what?”  Makes you bristle just to hear it, right?  But it can also be motivating.“I don’t want to submit this story. It might get rejected.”“So what. Are you any worse off if it does?”“I don’t want to call her; she might say no.”

“So what? Then at least you’ll know.”

Language has power and there is no such thing as a good word or a bad word; there is only how we use them and how we pair them. This last election taught us that.

So be careful how you talk to or about others, but be careful how you talk to yourself as well.

Teresa Funke embodies the modern artist/entrepreneur. She is the owner of Teresa Funke & Company and Victory House Press and the award-winning author of six novels for adults and children based on true stories from WWII. A popular writer’s coach and nationwide speaker, she offers keynotes and presentations. Contact her at tfcinfo@teresafunke.com or call 970-215-4155

In what ways do words have power for you? Share your thoughts here.

Filed Under: Book Writing Tagged With: art, artists, bad words, creatives, election, entrepreneurs, good word, good words, I wish, motivating, motivation, nonfiction book editor, professional business book editor, So what, Teresa Funke, TeresaFunkeWriting, Theresa Funke, What if, wish

Contact an Editing Pro

Add Power to Your Pen and Authorship to Your Name

Email Barbara »

Call 520-615-7910

Book editing info »

Word Trippers Tips

American English language resource

Find the perfect word every time—a new Word Tripper every week!

Get Word Trippers Tips »

Let’s Connect

Follow Us on FacebookFollow Us on Google+Follow Us on TwitterFollow Us on LinkedInFollow Us on YouTube

Blog Categories

  • Article Writing
  • BME in the News
  • Book Reading
  • Book Writing
  • Business Writing
  • Compelling Special
  • Editors and Authors
  • Grammar Tips
  • Speed Reading
  • Uncategorized
  • Word Tripper
  • Writing Tips
  • Writing Workshops

From Our Blog

One Simple Path to Reduce Email Overwhelm

By Barbara McNichol Do you experience email overwhelm? Your emails can present problems to your recipients when … Read more »

View all blog posts »

Quick Links

  • Editing Services
  • WordShops™
  • Testimonials
  • Portfolio
  • About
  • Word Trippers

Connect with Barbara

Follow Us on FacebookFollow Us on Google+Follow Us on TwitterFollow Us on LinkedInFollow Us on YouTube

Barbara McNichol Editorial
5090 N. Camino de la Cumbre
Tucson, AZ 85750

Phone: 520-615-7910

Email us »

Copyright © 2018 · Barbara McNichol Editorial · Website by Connexins