Beginnings and Endings

In the beginning.

Genesis 1:1

Aren’t those delicious words? “In the beginning God…” Wouldn’t you have loved to be there when He crafted the rays of the sun and the dips in the moon? Wouldn’t you have chuckled with Him when God stretched the giraffe’s neck and the elephant’s nose? How about when Adam catalogued creation? How did he think of rhinoceros and chimpanzee?

God’s creativity knew no limits as He spoke the world into existence and molded a human out of the dust of the earth. But it was not a scattered plan. No, 1 Corinthians 14:33 says God is a God of order, and I like to think that means He has an organized plan (Jeremiah 29:11). Take for instance the order of creation. He didn’t form plants first, no, He provided the boundaries of time (Genesis 1:5), space (Genesis 1:8), and land (Genesis 1:10).

What does that  have to do with our words?

When we have a system for writing, it also becomes a work of art.

Exercise:

What do you do to prepare to write? Some options might include

• Hang a sign on your door to notify family it’s a work zone.
• Read a writing devotional to prime the pump.
• Prepare your favorite beverage to sip while pondering words.
• Review the Writers’ Guidelines for the article you’ll write.
• Sketch out an outline to guide your progression of thoughts.
• Write a goal for your story, to propel the direction taken.
• Visualize your intended readers, to speak to their needs.

What do you do to prime the pump?

The story is told of a desert wanderer who stumbled upon a well. A note was posted on a bucket of water with instructions to pour it out on the handle and to pump water into the empty bucket for an endless supply. Can you imagine the dilemma of parched lips and a full bucket of water? However, overcoming the impulse to satisfy a craving results in a bucket overflowing for the next weary traveler. Prime the pump by

• Reading the works of other writers.
• Doing a mind-dump to clear your brain of other projects.
• Journaling a daily writing prompt.

When you create a solid beginning for your works in progress, your words will sing with a satisfying ending and wrap up your thoughts and organize your plan. Invite the Author of words to the process and you’ll stand in awe of His creativity!

What helps you prepare to write?

Over 140 of Sally Ferguson’s devotionals have been published in Pathways to God (Warner Press). She’s also written for Light From The Word, Chautauqua Mirror, Just Between Us, Adult Span Curriculum, Thriving Family, Upgrade with Dawn and ezinearticles.com. Prose Contest Winner at 2017 Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference.

Sally loves organizing retreats and seeing relationships blossom in time away from the daily routine. Her ebook, How to Plan a Women’s Retreat is available on Amazon.

Sally Ferguson lives in the beautiful countryside of Jamestown, NY with her husband and her dad.

Visit Sally’s blog at www.sallyferguson.net