Tag: Author

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WARFARE!

Our Calling as Writers

I’ve often pondered why I write, and what does it mean to be a writer. Sometimes I labor over my writing when I have an assignment due or a deadline; editing and re-writes are plentiful. Sometimes I have moments of inspiration when the words pour effortlessly onto the page.

You know what I’ve discovered? The best messages are those I write as me, not as what I think others expect of me or what I think might be the “perfect” message. I have my own style, my own way of phrasing things, and my own personality. If I don’t share as me, God’s message loses something in my forced translation.

I also discovered that when I put my hands on the keyboard and give my God time, He provides the words.

Writing is about growing our relationship with Jesus (spending time with Him), and obedience to write what He tells us to write. There’s no formula. There’s no perfect time to write. There’s no perfect message.

There’s only one perfect Jesus who uses imperfect vessels to make Himself known.

No matter what or how we write, our calling as writers is to use our God-given gifts and talents to:

  • advance the Kingdom of God on this earth. Some of us share truth through stories, some of us share through Bible studies and real-life experiences, and some of us are gifted to do both.
  • write truth as the Lord reveals it, and be ready for anything that comes our way as a result. We live in a culture where Biblical truth is increasingly hated and mocked. We need to pray over our writing and share courageously. We need to pray strength and protection for each other.
  • use today’s technology to the best of our ability. Twenty years ago, who could have predicted that “going viral” would be a good thing! Our collective goal is to reach everywhere to make Him known.

We are all part of God’s army and He is our Commander in Chief. God has strategically placed us right where we are for His purposes. We all have messages to share. Some share testimony, some teach, some exhort, some inspire. We all have times of flowing words and times of laborious re-writes. We all have points of view, life experiences, and passions.

We all have a responsibility to share our words whether we reach one person or a million people; whether our message is hated or loved by one person or a thousand; whether we get no comments or hundreds.

We write as He leads.

That’s our calling as writers.

[bctt tweet=”The best messages are those I write as me… #calling #writer” via=”no”]

The image is from bing, “permission to share and use”, illuminatedlvg.com.

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Things Every Writer Should Know

How to Make Sure Your Writing is Unique

You’re a lover of books and in you burns a desire which you cannot ignore. You want to write! At the same time you think, “There’s a gazillion authors out there. What makes me think my writing would be good enough? How will my writing stand out among so many? How do I write in a unique enough way to set me apart from other writers and successfully grab reader attention?” Before I answer with a do, here’s a vital don’t.

Don’t try to be unique.

It doesn’t work! You’ll end up with a bland and boring – generic, story. So don’t try to be unique. I assure you that every writer has their own special voice and style of writing. That includes you! Yes, we must submit to editorial changes (a topic for another day), but your voice should never be taken out of your story. Think about this for a moment: If each of us were to write a story with the same starting line, would we all write the same story? No. Everyone would write very different stories. Why?

Every writer’s story is unique.

Our personalities, our life experiences, our family and local cultures, and even our belief systems vary in so many ways. These factor in to our writing, giving each voice it’s own distinct flavor. So as you sit down to write, let the words flow and I guarantee your story will be unique.

Just for fun:

Start with the line below and write a short in the comment section. Let’s see just how unique everyone is.

Vance Scaggs stumbled in the dark. …

Have fun with that!

[bctt tweet=”Every writer’s story is unique. #writer #story” via=”no”]

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A Lighter Look at the Writer's Life

Hurry! I Need Patience!

Don’t you love lessons in patience?

Me, neither.

Patience doesn’t come easy for me, so, when I became a Christian over 17 years ago, God began teaching me . . . I just wish He’d hurry!

Today seemed like Finals Week in His lesson plan.

First, I went to a fast food restaurant to get my wife some breakfast. They gave me a number, 141, and I watched as numbers passed me by . . . 142 . . . 143 . . . 148. As we got closer to 150, I got worried.

Next, I stopped at a popular retail store to get a key made for my son’s new car. I walked to the key counter at the back of the store, got the key made relatively easily, and walked back outside to try it. Of course, it didn’t work, so I made my way back inside and to the back of the store to the counter, where a man was purchasing a fishing license and supplies. He made Tim Conway’s “old man” character from the Carol Burnett Show look like the Flash.

When it was finally my turn, the lady examined the key, realized the wrong mold had been used and they were out of the one I needed.

I had to go back up front to the returns counter for a refund, and a long, slow-moving line awaited me there.

I returned home to do my son’s laundry from tennis camp. I had kept his bag closed all night because . . . well, you can imagine.

I worked up my courage, opened the bag, loaded the clothes and turned on the washer. Nothing happened. Turns out, my neighborhood was experiencing a water outage.

Due to this outage, I had to go to another local restaurant to get supper. After waiting for an interminable time, I got my food, but the order was wrong. More waiting.

Days like these make me want to drop out of “Patience 101,” but, unfortunately, it’s a required course.

Writing and publishing are a major part of this learning experience. I write, I submit, I wait. I get a rejection, I try again. And on and on.

Sometimes I have to step back and remember why I do what I do. It was God Who planted this dream of writing and publishing in my heart, and it is God Who will see it come to fruition, in His time and in His way.

But, man, I wish He’d hurry!

[bctt tweet=”Don’t you love lessons in patience? #writer @amwriting” via=”no”]

[bctt tweet=” I write, I submit, I wait. I get a rejection, I try again. #writerslife #author” via=”no”]

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Dear Young Scribes

How Can Teen Writers Become Published?

“I’m a teen writer. How can I become published?”

This is a question I’ve been asked countless times. I, too, was once a teenager who dreamt of publication.

However, I quickly discovered that many adults advise against pursuing publication as a teen.

In some ways, I agree. Publication should not become the sole reason we write, nor should anyone rush to pursue it.

But if I only treated writing as a hobby, then it would’ve never turned into my career. If I hadn’t set high goals, then I wouldn’t have had the determination to push forward.

And I wouldn’t have received a publishing contract at sixteen-years-old.

No, I don’t believe that every teen writer should seek publication. There are several disadvantages of being a teen author.

But if you are a teen who loves to write, then it only makes sense that you would want to see your story in print. Just be careful that you don’t rush the process and neglect to learn the craft.

Before I held my debut novel in my hands, I invested hours into studying the craft, learning the industry, and strengthening my writing.

And now I am passionate about encouraging other teen writers. I want to share with you secrets and tips about the craft; I want to break down the publishing process so it can become achievable.

There is no better time than your teen years to prepare for your future—and this includes your career.

[bctt tweet=”There is no better time than your teen years to prepare for your future. #teenwriters #writingtips #teenauthor”]

So can teen writers become published? Yes. It may require sacrifices, but yes, teens can become published—or at least begin walking in that direction.

That’s what this column is for. I want to guide you, Young Scribe, through the world of writing.

So if you have any questions, be sure to leave them in the comments below!

[bctt tweet=”How can teens become published? #teenwriters #amwriting #yalitchat”]