by Rebecca Yauger, @RebeccaYauger
Like many of us, I like to start my mornings with my coffee and a devotional reading. Over the summer, I participated in a Bible study where there was a “verse of the day” pulled from each day’s lesson. Somewhere in the midst of this study, I began looking up the verse of the day using different versions of the Bible, like ESV (English Standard Version), NIV (New International Version), NLT (New Living Translation) and CSB (Christian Standard Bible). While the basic meaning of the verse didn’t change, there were times when the word choice differences brought a whole new depth of meaning and understanding to Scripture. For example, look at Psalms 46:10, a verse is familiar with most Christians. Most versions, including the NIV and NLT say, “Be still and know that I am God.” But the NASB version says, “Cease striving and know that I am God.” And the CSB version states, “Stop fighting, and know that I am God.” Isn’t it interesting that the message is essentially the same? However, to me, there’s greater meaning when studying the various translations of this same verse.
Looking at different Bible versions opened my eyes and had me think about things in a new way.
You may be asking what does this have to do with writing? The short answer is: A lot. Word choice matters. This doesn’t mean every sentence needs to be filled with flowery language and fancy phrases. It does mean that sometimes it’s worth a look at word choice for the main points in your story. Will “stop fighting” or “cease striving” get your point across better than “be still?” Or is “be still” the best choice to propel the story forward and keep the reader turning to the next page.
When you’re editing your manuscript, pay attention to word choice. Are you truly using the best word or phrase to draw the reader in deeper with your character and with your story? Try using different ways of saying things and see what works best for your book. Keep in mind that sometimes simpler is better. However, there are times when you might be surprised at the depth you can achieve by paying attention to word choice.
Rebecca Yauger worked for 15 years in radio and television broadcasting, before starting on her writing career. She’s been published in Chicken Soup for the Soul and Guideposts Magazine and continues to scribble away on various projects. She also blogs at www.TalkingAmongFriends.com. Becky was past Vice-President and Membership Director for American Christian Fiction Writers (www.acfw.com), and currently serves as ACFW’s Web Manager. Becky and her husband live near Dallas, have two grown children, and two beautiful grandchildren.