def is_start_of_word(lines, i, j):
    """
    Checks if there is a word starting at (i,j)
    """
    if lines[i][j] == '*':
        return False
    left = '*' if i == 0  else lines[i-1][j]
    right = '*' if (i == len(lines) - 1) else lines[i+1][j]
    above = '*' if j == 0  else lines[i][j - 1]
    below = '*' if j == len(lines[i]) - 1  else lines[i][j+1]
    if left == '*' and right != '*':
        return True
    if above == '*' and below != '*':
        return True
    return False