One thousand pieces of the picture tumbled out onto the table. When the contents cleared the box rim, we all grabbed for the straight edges closest to us. Sifting through the pile we looked for discernable trademarks—a house roof, ripples of water, colorful flowers, a seagull’s beak, and butterfly wings. The bench perched close to the crag cast an invitation to view the sailboat’s mast beyond the lighthouse.
How does one put together a jigsaw puzzle? One piece at a time.
Is the puzzle finished when the frame is assembled? No, more patterns fill out the image to complete a portion. Sometimes the piece is deceiving and tells a different story until it is moved to the proper spot. Such is the process of trial and error until the task is accomplished.
How does a jigsaw puzzle resemble your WIP? Maybe you thought you were finished, when you’ve only begun with the framework. Do you need to add more color with illustrations or examples of imagery? Do you need more adjectives to fill out your character profile? Maybe a scene needs to be moved to another location in the storyline? Think about ways to convert your thought process to words on the page.
Exercise:
Writing can be daunting. The words can flow or plug up at any given moment. Take the time to encourage yourself in God’s Word.
Philippians 1:3-6. When you write the Lord’s words, how is He involved?
Colossians 3:17. Do you have to write “Christian” material in order to write for the Lord? Explain your answer.
1 Corinthians 10:31-33. What is our ultimate goal as writers?
Hebrews 6:10. How can this verse bolster you in the solitary life of writing?
1 Corinthians 3:9. Do you know you partner with God in writing? How does this play out in your WIP? (See 1 Corinthians 3:8)
Ephesians 2:10. What is on God’s “To Do List” for you?
Ephesians 4:12-13. How do our words prepare God’s people?
Psalm 119:105. How can God’s Word help when your words are stuck?
Proverbs 25:11. A hard won word is worth the struggle!
Does your WIP feel like a puzzle? Take courage in knowing you’re writing for the King!
My heart is moved with a good theme;I address my verses to the King; My tongue is the pen of a ready writer. Psalm 45:1 NASB
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.
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