The Love Of Words

Lessons on writing from the life of Winston Churchill

In my worldview, one mark of a great soul is the love for words. Winston Churchill loved both life and words. He wrote some of the most beautiful things, and he lived a life worth writing about. I had written about The Greatness of Winston Churchill. Today, I write about his love for words.

He was a man of many talents, but perhaps the most enduring one is his love of words. He has given us so many quotes to live by. During his lifetime, he delivered speeches that moved millions. He wrote books that have become reference points for specific eras and individuals. It was not just that he was a writer, he was a master writer. It was not just that he gave speeches, it was that his speeches were memorable.

Contemporaries narrate how each time he was about to deliver a speech at the House, the house would be filled to the brim. Budget speeches that used to be boring were transformed by Winston Churchill so much that everyone wanted to attend.

You can’t read his words and not feel something move in you.

This was all intentional. Churchill knew what he wanted to achieve with words. He knew that words could inspire action and change the world. The maxim from Dead Poets Society, "No matter what anybody tells you, words and ideas can change the world” was true for Churchill.

So, how did he achieve the level of eloquence?

1.       Read widely and voraciously: Churchill was an avid reader, devouring books on history, literature, and philosophy.

2.       Write regularly and persistently: Churchill wrote daily, honing his craft through consistent practice.

3.       Use simple, clear language: Churchill avoided jargon and complex sentences, opting for straightforward, concise language.

4.       Employ rhetorical devices: Churchill skillfully used metaphors, allusions, and other literary devices to add depth and emotion to his writing.

5.       Edit and revise meticulously: Churchill was a perfectionist, revising and refining his work until it met his high standards.

The fact that it took considerable effort for Churchill to achieve his performance is both a consolation and a challenge. A consolation because it shows anyone can do it, it wasn’t anything unique to him. A challenge because it means no one can get it on a platter of gold. It takes hard work.

Do you want to be a great writer or speaker? Read widely. Practice regularly. Strive for the peak.

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