I typed “I have a lot of words to share,” which autocorrected to “I have a lot of words to shed.” I caught my breath and stopped to consider this perspective, this flicker of an idea sparked by autocorrect.
Share, by definition, requires more than one person. Usually, words are used to share information, instructions or concepts.
Shed is to let go. Sometimes words are used to develop a notion—carefully chosen words breathe life into the idea. Once the idea is alive, it can simply be released. I don’t think liberating the idea comes from a place of indifference or arrogance but rather a place of necessity. It MUST be released into the world. The words must be shed.
Words shared involve others and words shed involve the individual. Maybe the real magic is when words shed are perceived as shared because the reader identifies with the writer’s idea.
Maybe words shed are like paint on a canvas, clay that becomes a sculpture, and notes that become a song. The process happens because it has to happen. The result can be embraced or ignored. It is secondary to the process.