In so many areas of life we push and push and push ourselves until we can output quality work. In some instances we can work long hours and try our hardest until the result is exactly what we want. However, I've found that it's not necessarily the same with writing and other creative endeavors.
Oftentimes as a writer I find myself blanking as I stare at my computer, trying to muster up some words to write. Funny enough, oftentimes in life I find myself blanking when I try to talk of God's goodness or faithfulness. This feels embarrassing to admit, but it's true, and maybe you've done the same thing?
When it comes to writing, one of the most important things is connecting to your audience. You could have a great hook, a powerful introduction, and incredible content, but if your words don't connect to your audience they will fall on deaf ears.
Every writer needs a family... a community of committed friends that will help encourage, sharpen, and spur them on in their craft. Every writer needs a coach. Someone to guide, challenge, cheer, and show them the paths to making excellent work.
I get it. The happy-go-lucky posts might get more views. The fluffy, easy posts might garner more likes. But oftentimes the happy and the fluffy are masking what's really going on. And when it comes down to it, I'm not really sure that's what people actually want to read.
This month's reading tips is simply a list of all the books I've read this year on writing. Bottom line, I wholeheartedly recommend all of them if you're looking to grow as a writer!
I've had a prayer, written by a writer who I deeply admire, pinned on the corkboard above my desk for the last year. Her words bring me comfort and serve to be a humble reminder of why I write, for whom I write, and what my words should point to.
I'm really excited about this issue's writing tips because I get to introduce you to a writer and editor who I look up to immensely. I'm privileged to work with Grayson Pope at GCD, and he's recently started a regular column on writing. In this article, he shares two things that your writing must have in order to grab (and keep) your reader's attention.
September was a gloriously long month. We had family and friends come to visit. We started meeting again with our Gospel Community groups. We spent some time breathing in fresh mountain air. And the mornings started to turn crisp and cool, leading me to break out my sweaters and spend a few more minutes under the warmth of the covers. It was the perfect month for reading.
It's one of the first questions I am often asked by writing mentors when I am struggling with some aspect of my writing. And it's become one of the questions that I most love to ask other writers. Who we read shapes how we write.
As believers, we must write as one who will give an account for every word we speak (and write). At the same time, there is grace when we don't get it right. We must embrace this tension, writing with fear and trembling while leaning into the abundant grace of God.
If you're a writer, you know what I'm talking about. That dreaded feeling of sitting in front of a blank page and having absolutely no idea what to say. The whiteness of the page seems to laugh at you and the nothingness seems to bore into your soul.
Don't change your words or your presence to fit what you think people want to hear or what you think will garner "likes." Write the words that spill out from the depths of who you are. Write the words you can't help but write.
Why write when tomorrow you will likely forget my words?
Why write when quite possibly no one will read these words?
Why write when there are so many other, more qualified, more educated, more articulate writers out there?
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