I live happily in a world that revolves around words.

Some live their lives and work among people, numbers, food, animals, fabrics, or whatever else, but I live and work comfortably encompassed in words.

Obviously, working at The News, I’m surrounded by words.

Every day, I come to work, read and edit, and occasionally write pieces of my own. Then I lay those words out onto pages, choosing how we show off said words.

I admire the way words come together to tell the stories we present to the community and how some words have more power than others to catch readers’ eyes.

For headlines, we always try to pick words that pique interest.

In stories, we focus on what each word means and how it contributes to or disrupts the story. We also focus on the neutrality of words, trying to curtain any opinion or persuasion.

Our wording is often plain to make sure each reader comfortably reads and understands the story, whether they are familiar with the topic and jargon or not.

In my own writing, I like to play with words and watch how they change the meaning of other words. It’s a form of crafting.

I dream of one day writing a book with thousands and thousands of words. Even if I never see it in print, I’d simply enjoy the journey. But, if I do decide to see it in paperback, I’d be happy to share those words with anyone willing to read it.

For now, I write stories for The News and keep most of my other writing in personal journals.

I’ve always been a big journaler. I usually carry one with me everywhere I go and also have more than a dozen more at home.

Journaling is a major stress reliever. When the words get really jumbled in my head, and I have a hard time stringing them together, I start writing them down.

With each word, I can feel my shoulders drop and each breath feels deeper.

It helps me understand more about what I’m thinking and what I might be trying to say, taking into consideration my past, present, and future experiences.

Like, for example, sometimes, I write about different days or situations coming in the future to help me prepare for it.

Before interviews, I prep questions and topics of conversation. Before busy days, I prioritize the accomplishments I want to reach, putting them on paper to not only remind myself but also keep me on track. Before important conversations, I write down my thoughts to straighten them out to know what some of the main points I want to mention are.

I find myself journaling at random times, even taking notes on my phone when a pen and paper aren’t available to me. Whenever I get an idea, feel a certain way, or just want to write, I let the words flow.

Then I go home and I read books. I adore reading.

While I sometimes enjoy the knowledge nonfiction can offer or the unique stories of a memoir, I’m mostly a fiction reader who likes romance, fantasy, thrillers, mystery, and more. It’s the escape from reality and the comfort of imagination that really draws me in.

I wish I could remember the name of the book I was reading when the narrator talked about standing in a library and saying something along the lines of being surrounded by millions of words inked on paper. That, to me, sounds similar to a warm hug.

It’s somewhat unfathomable to me, holding a book and it being so tiny in my hand compared to the words within it that create its own world.

That just goes to show how powerful words are. There’s so much to be said and so many stories to be told.

I look forward to the words I’ll read and write in the future, continuing to circle me in a world of words.

I wouldn’t change a thing about it.

Not that I really know anything different.

Torianna Marasco can be reached at 989-358-5686 or tmarasco@thealpenanews.com.