Isn't It Just…

Language is a funny thing.

As writers, the way we use words does more than describe a character, a setting, a story arc.  The way we use words describes the way we see ourselves in the world.

Our language can be a tool, a friend or a partner.  It can also be our judge and jury.

Like many of these little pieces (one friend calls them preachy), the target audience will most likely never read this one.  Still, some things have to be said (or written).

Look at the blurbs for various projects around your average online writers’ community.  Notice how many of them deprecate the work before you even have a chance to look.  Notice how often you pass them by based upon the blurbs.

Earlier I wrote about the other side of this problem, blatant self-aggrandizement.  While I find that behavior funny–even entertaining–I find the situation at hand sad.

“This is just a collection of my stories…”

“Just some poems I’ve written…”

“These are just my thoughts….”

Sigh.

I’m just not sure I want to read those.  Perhaps I am being unjust. Just a bit, maybe.  Maybe I need to adjust my behavior.  Just a bit.

Just.  Adverb: only or merely: He was just a clerk until he became ambitious.