For Writers in Making a Difference
Inside every writer is a story that must be told; lessons learned that must be shared; and encouragement that must be given. If that story isn’t told, then something is missing in our world.
Attending writers conferences is the best way to not only learn the craft and business of writing, but to make connections. Friendships are formed, and there is nothing like writing buddies to keep you encouraged to go the distance and finish those projects.
Join a writers group. I have found not only a critique group, but life long friendships. My writers group, called The Scribettes, started as a journaling group. We attended conferences together. We shared information. We critiqued each other’s work. We have shared each other’s lives and prayed together. We now have several published authors, in several venues including blogs, articles, books and more. Check this out: we started a blog together in October 2015 called “The Scribette Snippets” at https://scribettes.wordpress.com/
DO look for a writers group to join. It will make a difference in your writing life!
Advice For Writers
#1 Permisson to Shuffle Projects
Have you ever been stuck on a project that just is NOT coming together, no matter how you manipulate it? My friend, Nancy Bentz (https://nancybentz.com/) once told me that “want tos” give us energy and “have tos” drain it. Upon occasion, I have learned to set aside a manuscript that sapped my inspiration and work on a different one because it motivated me to move it along. If you wonder if your manuscript needs to be set aside, then it might. For now. It doesn’t mean forever. Give yourself permission to shuffle your projects and work on the “want tos.” There is a time and season for everything. At some point, your “set aside” work will call you. God is faithful. He will see that all the words He has given you to share will be done.
#2 Writers’ Calling: Share It All
Scribette writers discussed putting “out there” all the words God gives us. It is a calling and a commission. I heard Beth Moore (Bible teacher) say that God knows that if He gives her anything, she is going to share it. That made me wonder about what is private and what should be shared. But now I have come to the conclusion that nothing God gives is private (details and identities might be, however!). “All Scripture is given by the inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). If that is true for God’s own words, then it would seem that people need to learn from the words He gives us, as well. Share it all. That’s our calling as writers: to put it out there.
#3 Why Journal?
I believe this is a MUST for writers. Journaling opens the internal wells and lets creativity flow. Seeing your words, as you write them, organizes your thoughts and helps you work through whatever current situations are presented. Past journals can be mined for the gems buried in them, and as writers, we are compelled to share those gems. How do you know if someone needs to see them to help them through their difficult time? Journaling helps us to remember the funny stories from the past that can be retold in the present. Through journaling, we create legacy for our families. It is still our calling as writers: to share our experiences any way God asks us to do so. Pray through those written words. God will send them like arrows.
Need help in managing a website?
Gretchen Louise teaches writers about media, creates and manages websites and more.
When my website had to be moved to a different host, upgraded and maintained in ways that I could not do, I called Gretchen and she was gracious to work with me in my situation. I may be able to change content, but I am not techno savvy enough to keep up the ‘back end’ of the pages and I depend on Gretchen to keep my site running smoothly. She does a fabulous job. She responds quickly and my website is always working well.
Gretchen has also taught me and guided me through using social media, learning how to put newsletters together and send them as well as sprucing up my blog so it looks good. I’m grateful for all the tools she has given to me so that I may go further in using my writing gifts. I recommend Gretchen to anyone who wants to learn social media and needs an online presence to promote what they are doing with class.
Follow this link to Gretchen’s site: https://gretchenlouise.com