Dangling Words on a Clothesline

 By Elaine L. Orr

I heard the phrase "dangling words on a clothesline" the other day and thought it a wonderful metaphor for putting our writing before readers. 

We're basically hanging ourselves out to dry in the hope of having people read our books -- or poems, or stories. We hope they even like what we air to the public. 

Then, because I'm letting my mind wander, I realzied that most people under 40 (maybe even 50?) have never seen clothes hanging on a clothesline. Perhaps bathing suits or beach towels, but even those are thrown in the dryer.

A dryer. A place where words go to get batted around and overheated.

                                                                      * * * * *

To learn more about Elaine L. Orr, visit her website or sign up for her newsletter.