Write Witchcraft: Spelling spells
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When I was in grade school, I loved spelling bees. I was a great speller, so naturally, I looked forward to the opportunity to flex my skills. It also meant I would be one of the first people to be picked if there was a team. These intellectual competitions were the polar opposite of my gym experiences, which were nothing more than opportunities for humiliation.
I was knocked out only once in the first round. The word was “chamois.” I was pissed, so that word is forever etched into my mind. Every time I saw that “Sham Wow” guy in those old television commercials, I relived that spelling bee bummer. (Well, not quite.)
While spelling came naturally to me, that is not always the case for many people, including writers. I know plenty of folks who struggle. Thanks to spellcheck, everyone has the ability to fix errors without giving their words too much thought. However, in my opinion, this has created intellectual laziness. Why bother to learn how to spell when a computer can do it for you?
I think it’s better for your brain - and your writing - to learn how to spell correctly. But how can you do that if your spelling muscles are weak? What happens when you don’t have spellcheck handy? Here are my suggestions.
It’s essential to be a reader. Most writers read a lot, so this is not an issue. The more voracious you are, the more you’ll expand your vocabulary. Plus, seeing words over and over is sometimes the only way to pound it into your brain.
Spell words out loud. This is a powerful way to become a better speller. Think of it as reciting a magical incantation! (Psst…record on your phone so you can check your accuracy!)
Write in longhand. This way, you have zero access to spellcheck. According to research, putting pen to paper is beneficial for memory. You don’t have to write your books by hand, although some authors do. A simple journaling practice should suffice.
For troublesome words that trip you up, write them down multiple times. Think of it as your “spelling petition” to the Universe! Sometimes, this is the only way to get certain words ironed out. For example, one of my “problem words” is anonymity. I can barely pronounce this sucker, so phonetics didn’t cut the word mustard. Writing it over and over worked. (I still wouldn’t trust myself with anonymity in a spelling bee.)
Remember this old saying, “i before e except after c?” Many of us learned this spelling rule in grade school. I still use it! Rhymes or mnemonics can help poor spellers develop confidence. For example, some metaphysical writers confuse altar with alter. You might remember the difference if you think magical altar - both have two a’s. I use little methods like this all the time (stationary vs stationery - paper ends with “er,” hence stationery when I’m talking about snail mail) to keep my spelling tight ’n right.
Get yourself a private editor. I have worked with one for over a decade. Before I submit a book to my publisher, my editor reviews it. Like a word wizard, she corrects my errors and makes notes so I can learn (like a sorcerer’s apprentice!). After working together for so many years, I rarely make the same mistakes.
Although the pen (or keyboard) may be mightier than a sword (or wand), a well-spelled word is the magical sigil that makes your writing a potent spell.
xo
Theresa
Image from stock photography - artist credit: n_defender