Writing Dailey

Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me.

Perhaps a saying more well-suited for days gone by, this adage drums up sentiments of resiliency and thick skin, both of which, to be frank, are in short supply. However, whoever penned this phrase back in the 1800s hasn’t read the books I have—the ones that gut you and make you slam them shut. I don’t think they acknowledged the immense power of words and what they can do, whether spoken or read.

If we can live, laugh, and love through characters, dialogue, plot twists, alliterations, and wit-ridden asides, then logic says we can also cry, grieve, and ache for characters, their plights, and their losses.

It’s true words can’t wound in the same way a stick or stone can, but they are powerful in their own right. Cue Edward Bulwer-Lytton’s 1839 phrase, the pen is mightier than the sword, which pointedly highlights how words can shape ideas, inspire movements, and influence others more aptly than violence, i.e., sticks and stones or swords.

As a writer, I am a stalwart believer in the power of words and their ability to inflict rapturous joy and deepest despair in equal measure. But that’s the beauty of something so black and white as ink on paper—with 26 letters and infinite ways of combining them, you can tell any story, with or without respect to the reader’s emotions.

But I think words, stories, and books do something far more magical than elicit an emotional response from us—they bring people together. Now, the emotional response and connection to the words, characters, stories, etc., are vastly vital, but without human connection, camaraderie, and community, words and the emotions they evoke wouldn’t really register or matter.

Allow me to make my case.

September was a whirlwind, personally and professionally, and my days were filled with meetings, deadlines, book club gatherings, family events, and full weekends, featuring literary-related, multi-day commitments, in which books and their words brought hundreds upon hundreds of people together.

The Dragon Gauntlet

First up was Rain & Revelry’s second iteration of The Dragon Gauntlet, a two-day event based on Rebecca Yarros’ Fourth Wing that swept 350 people from around the country off to Boyne Mountain for physical feats, trivia, teamwork, and a celebratory bookish ball that encouraged cosplay and continued camaraderie amongst fantasy nerds.

Being part of this epic event for the second year was amazing. It was great to see how the event had developed over the past year, and to be at an event where everyone was happy, kind, and inclusive made my heart sing. The Dragon Gauntlet brings together a community akin to Swifties where everyone shares treasures and bracelets, compliments one another on their outfits and accessories, and eagerly shares obstacle course insight when asked. And don’t get me started on all the smiles and laughter. If you haven’t experienced a literary convention or fantasy-themed event, I highly recommend you do (see Rain & Revelry’s Celestial Summit).

Yarros’ book also happened to help launch Lit with Literature in November 2023, bringing together people from different local communities to discuss fantasy and sci-fi books. This book club was also the catalyst for friendships turned business partnership, resulting in the Storykeepers Ball, another event and outlet for people to come together and celebrate books in May 2026 (we hope you join us!).

C.S. Lewis Festival

The following weekend saw the 23rd Annual C.S. Lewis Festival come to life, with scholars and featured presenters speaking about Lewis, his life, and his extensive contributions to the literary realm, including The Chronicles of Narnia—probably his most beloved works—and Till We Have Faces—the author’s self-proclaimed best novel.

More than 100 people from across Michigan and the Midwest participated in this small yet growing festival, all drawn to the Petoskey area because of Lewis’s impactful writings. As the Assistant Director for the C.S. Lewis Festival, I shouldn’t have favorites, but my favorite aspects of this year’s festival were participating in the summer literary conversations about Till We Have Faces at the Bay View Library, listening to Dr. Christin Ditchfield Lazo share her deep knowledge and passion for The Chronicles of Narnia, and being part of a live Pints with Jack Podcast recording.

Harbor Springs
Festival of the Book

Then, just this past weekend, I attended five stellar sessions at the Harbor Springs Festival of the Book (HSFotB). Upwards of 1,500 people, including locals and area visitors, came to the weekend-long festival, which celebrated its 10th anniversary.

For the past two years, I’ve had the pleasure of contracting with HSFotB as a freelance writer and editor, assisting them with web copy and helping draft and edit the event program (which means I get early access to session descriptions!). My contribution is merely a pinky-toe dip into the waters that help combine all the elements that make this festival a September smash, but I love being involved nonetheless.

Listening to authors—seasoned and green—share insight into their writing processes, publishing experience, and ways of handling criticism is worth its weight in gold, but I think what I love most is witnessing these authors openly share without an ounce of gatekeeping.

The chemistry of the panels was palpable, and I can’t begin to type out all the nuggets of wisdom I gleaned, but I want to share this quote because it applies to my rambling point of how words (books) can impact our emotions, be felt, and even hurt.

“When I write an emotional scene, I cry. When I write a tense scene, I get tense. When I write a scary scene, my heart rate increases. If I feel it myself, I can communicate it to my readers.” — Joseph Finder

Yes, words can hurt us, but they can also do the opposite. They can heal, nurture, and strengthen bonds, beliefs, and dreams—words make us run the emotional gamut.

“A novel should change someone’s mood.” — Maggie Stiefvater

All three of these fantastic literary-based events succeeded in promoting literacy and creativity, bringing people together from all over to celebrate words, stories, and books. To quote HSFotB presenter John Kenney, “We can come together on common ground at book festivals.” And I’ll tweak that just a skosh: Books can bring us together.

I’m proud to be an avid devourer of books with an ever-growing TBR stack, and I’m excited to implement the percolating ideas bubbling about in my head so someday, maybe, my words can help bring people together, too.

Next Post:

Monday, October 27