#hopewriterlife @hopewriters
Progress-How do I progress as a writer? I join groups that write and we learn from each other. In one group, we break into smaller ones and learn new skills, encouraging each other along the way. I have attended conferences in the past. There I meet other writers and attend seminars and also hear speakers. Each time, I come home having learned new skills.
But by far, the thing that helps my writing most is practice! The more I write, the better I get at expressing myself. This, by far, is the most effective way to improve my writing. The more I write, the more I progress in my writing.
#hopewriterlife @hopewriters
Feeling- In order to write and connect with people, we need to be. In touch with our feelings. No, not every sensitive detail if every feeling. If we are too sensitive to each unkind word flying past us, we will find ourselves crippled.
I don’t want a stoic soul. It is my default, I’m sad to say. But I have learned it is not good for my body or soul to live with a stoic mindset. I need to feel. I need to acknowledge the feelings I do have, not the ones I wish I had. How about you?
I have discovered that when it comes to acknowledging my feelings, I often skip a step. I don’t like feeling the hard feelings. The scared, lonely, sad, furious or difficult feelings. When I was very young, I ignored them. I stuffed them. And it was years before I was able to acknowledge them. Since I didn’t want to deal with them, I ignored them and skipped right over to looking on the bright side.
Yes, it was a lot like Pollyanna! Can you identify? I’ve realized now that I need to pay attention to the hard feelings. I need to acknowledge they are there. I need to figure out where they are coming from.
Only after I have acknowledged the truth of what is there and where it is coming from can I understand what is going on in my heart. Then, if there is a bright side, I can take a look!
#hopewriterlife @hopewriters
Goal-As a Christian, my goal is to glorify GOD and enjoy Him forever. (Psalm 86:8-13 ESV, Psalm 16:16:11 ESV) There is nowhere else that it is put so succinctly. (Thanks Westminster Shorter Catechism.) Of course, there are other Scriptures that reinforce that goal, but those help.
As a Christian writer of a specific blog, I also have goals for the blog, GrittyGrace.com. It is primarily designed to reach women. It is designed to encourage you in your growth in grace.
But I have recently narrowed my focus a bit more to give hope to those who are scared, overwhelmed, or broken-hearted. This is a place where I want you to find lasting hope in Christ. For each of us, there are times when we at least get down. Sometimes, we get worse than down. It takes many forms...scared, anxious, overwhelmed, broken-hearted. Jesus has hope for all of us during those times.
We need to read words of hope. I need to write them! We need to have someone point us to Jesus to remind us where our true help comes from.
Not all of us have people in our everyday lives who do that. We don’t need fixers, or the right diet or the right medical treatment, even though they certainly help.
We need to rest our hope in Jesus. We need to know that even though we are weak, He is strong ! He is way beyond our finite limitations. He is infinite and has no limitations.
So that is the goal for my blog. That I will be able to communicate the hope we have in Christ, to you!
#hopewriterlife. @hopewriters
Inspiration-As a Christian writer, my inspiration comes from GOD, His Word, how His Word applies to everyday life, and how it is possible to pass this on in understandable ways.
These are the things that inspire me to write.
He created me in such a way that I have a unique perspective. Only I have lived through my set of circumstances. Only I have my perspective. Only I have the unique walk with God that I have...intertwined with the church community I live and grow in.
Ultimately, GOD is the One who inspires my writing as He superintends my growth in grace. This is the way it works for you too!
#hopewriterlife @hopewriters
Quote-It is important to manage quotes carefully. We read and learn so many thing all the time, it is difficult to document all we are learning throughout our lives from reading, listening, and being mentored...officially and unofficially.
But we don’t want others to think all the wise pearls we pass on came from us originally. That is called plagiarism.
Of course, there is a balance. We can’t credit everything we say! Some things are in the public domain.
But it is a way of honoring mentors, writers we appreciate, wise people, and those who have influenced us for good.
