Tag: Create Motivate Inspire

The Art of Mind Mapping: Unleashing Creative Potential Unconventional Ideas to Inspire Your Next Masterpiece

Nothing beats the thrill of writing the opening paragraph of your next novel or the first stanza of a new poem. The words come easily at first and ideas seem bountiful in the early days of a writing project.

However, as you get stuck into your piece, you may find that you lose track of your plot and forget the plans you’d laid out for your characters. This can be frustrating if you only have a short time to write after work. It can even lead to writer’s fatigue.

Rather than lament the loss of your creative energy, use the time to mind map your project. Mind mapping lets you zoom out from the paragraph or chapter you’re currently working on so you can see the bigger picture again. Mind mapping can help you figure out why your story is falling flat and generate a more compelling narrative arc for your reader too.

Structure

Unless you want to write a rambling postmodern masterpiece, you’ll need a clear idea of structure to guide your narrative and give you a sense of purpose. This holds true for even the most experimental of novels, like Italo Calvino’s If on a Winter’s Night a Traveler, which eschews a linear plot yet still follows a clear structure to guide readers through the novel.

If you’re some way into your project, consider bullet-pointing all of the major plot points you’ve written so far. This can help you discover a chain of cause and effect and may nudge your creative faculties in a more compelling direction.

You may find that mind-mapping your own creation still leaves you feeling a little lost. This is entirely normal, as few writers know how their story will start, progress, and end before they put pen to paper.

Rather than getting frustrated, pull your favorite book off the shelf and start to mind-map its structure. Note down the major plot points and keep a record of all that has happened to the main characters. You can even jot down the page numbers next to major events, as this will give you an idea of how you might space out your own narrative events.

This approach to mind mapping will give you a deeper understanding of the genre you’re working within and may help you figure out if you need more (or less!) major events to shake up the plot and recapture the reader’s focus.

Ideas

Understanding the structure of a story is key if you’re working on a longer project like a novel. However, if you want to write a series of short stories or poems, you may be better served by focusing your attention on the major ideas that you wish to present.

This sentiment is echoed by Edgar Allan Poe who, when reviewing a collection of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s short stories,

“A short story must have a single mood and every sentence must build.”

This approach to writing can be mentally taxing as every sentence works to build the “mood” of the story and help convey your overarching idea. A mental map can help you pick up the thread of your big idea by helping you assess whether or not a sentence or stanza works.

Avoid the temptation to mind map while you’re writing. Instead, take out a large sheet of paper when editing and jot down the big idea in the center of the page. Then start copying down sentences from your draft; connecting similar-sounding sentences and branching out as the idea grows. This will help you hone the craft of the sentence and make the kind of micro edits that are essential for all good short stories.

If you struggle to edit your own work, it may be a sign that you need more sleep. Sleep is critical for creativity, as difficulty concentrating is a tell-tale sign of physical fatigue. If this is the case, you may be better served putting the pen down and getting a few “Z’s” instead.

Finding the Flow

Once you’ve completed your mind map, you need to get back in the flow of things ASAP. Getting back in the flow is key, as you may find that mind mapping makes you overcautious when writing more content or editing your existing work.

You can find your writer flow by sitting down to work in a quiet, calming place. You may even want to pour yourself a glass of wine, as wine can loosen you up and get your creative juices flowing. As an added bonus, red wines contain antioxidants that reduce inflammation and may give your body the boost it needs as you focus on your writing.

Keep your mind map at close hand but keep your attention on the screen. If you run into writer’s block, simply start writing sentences that sound right even if they can’t be used in your project. This is like firing up the engine of a car after it’s been in the garage for some time and will get you back to your best in no time.

Conclusion

Mind mapping can help you find structural flaws and superfluous sentences in your work. It can also generate new ideas and help you find the flow after some time away. Consider copying down the structure of your favorite author if you’re struggling for inspiration and play some calming music to get your creative flowing again.

Katie Brenneman is a passionate writer specializing in the art of writing, mental health, and education. When she isn’t writing, you can find her with her nose buried in a book or hiking with her dog, Charlie. To connect with Katie, you can follow her on Twitter.

Tags Create Motivate Inspire, creative potential, guest post, guest posts, mind mapping

Magazine, Freelance, and Copywriting Uncategorized

Combating Writer’s Block By Inspiring Creativity

Post author By Amanda Winstead
Post date May 14, 2023
No Comments on Combating Writer’s Block By Inspiring Creativity

If you’re feeling uninspired and like nothing you write seems good anymore, you likely got a case of writer’s fatigue. Everyone gets tired and feels a lack of inspiration now and then, but those who specifically pursue creative pursuits, like writing, can struggle with this even more.

Luckily, if you’ve got writer’s fatigue or writer’s block, it’s not permanent, and you are not alone. Every single day there are writers like yourself battling with blocks that interrupt their work, and every day writers overcome these blocks thanks to a little help and guidance.

Writer’s block might not feel the same for everyone, however, and its treatment may vary from person to person. But often, it’s simply a matter of taking a step back and finding ways to inspire your creativity again.

The Dreaded Writer’s Block: What is it? And Why Does it Happen?

Writer’s block is usually something that stems from some creative burnout or just burnout in general. You can’t easily ignore it. If anything, pay attention to it. It’s usually an indication that you are pushing yourself too hard or there is some other issue going on that needs to be addressed.

In most cases, there are five types of blockages or issues — one or more of which could be contributing to your burnout or writer’s fatigue. These include:

Mental blocks associated with thoughts or beliefs that are hindering you.
Scarcity blocks, which stem from having a lack of resources needed to succeed.
Emotional blocks, which develop in response to fears, emotional responses, or past trauma.
Procedural blocks that come from unhelpful habits and poor workflow.
Attentional blocks, which are the result of things in your life that are distracting you and pulling your focus.

Once you can identify what blocks or issues are contributing to your burnout or writer’s block, then you can take the steps necessary to fix those issues.

Tips for Overcoming Writer’s Block By Tapping Into Your Creativity

While there are a variety of methods to treat burnout, all of them typically center around recharging your creativity or finding new inspiration.

Below are some tips for overcoming your blocks by helping you unlock your potential and inspire creativity.

1. Find A Creative Outlet Outside of Writing

If you are throwing all of your creative juices into your writing only, you will most likely feel blocked. You probably spend too much time writing and not enough time on “brain breaks.” Not all of your time should be spent staring at a screen, typing.

So, picking up another creative hobby can help you find ways to enjoy being creative again, and over time, you might find yourself feeling more inspired to write again. You could pick up painting, for example, or photography. Maybe try your hand at playing an instrument or throw yourself into learning to bake. Whatever it is, just make sure it doesn’t involve sitting in front of your computer.

2. Try Journaling

Picking up a journal and taking note of the things around you and in your life that you find inspiring can help you overcome your blocks.

For example, you can sit outside and make a note of the beauty of nature or do some people-watching and jot down the things about humans or humanity that you find inspiring. You can also turn your journal into more of a scrapbook of things that inspire you.

Your journal also doesn’t haven’t to be conventional. It doesn’t even have to feature writing if you don’t want it. You can use it as a scrapbook and feature photographs or objects that inspire you — like a piece of nature or a place that makes you happy.

3. Do Some Brainstorming Activities

Brainstorming is an excellent way to jumpstart creativity so you can find your way back to your writing again. Many companies use brainstorming sessions to help their employees get their creative juices flowing. Just because you potentially work from home as a writer doesn’t mean you can’t have your own brainstorming sessions with yourself.

You can start by simply thinking of a topic and coming up with questions or ideas you have about it on a piece of paper. There are also numerous online tools you can use for digital brainstorming and creating mind maps.

The ideas you are brainstorming don’t necessarily have to be about the things you are writing about. You can brainstorm about anything, even silly topics. The idea is to simply exercise your brain in a new way that can help you feel inspired again.

4. Build Your Creative Network

Sometimes the issue of writer’s block stems from isolation. Writers who work from home or spend a significant time on their own may be especially familiar with this concept. It can be incredibly helpful to get out and network with other creatives like yourself to help you feel the drive to write again and get past your blocks.

You can simply go out and socialize more, or you can seek out specific groups and meetups geared towards creatives, like meetups for writers, painting groups, or even a book club. It ultimately doesn’t matter what kind of socializing you are doing; it’s just about getting out and having that human connection with others to avoid the isolation that could be contributing to your writer’s block.

Final Thoughts

Writer’s block can sometimes feel like an impossible feat to overcome. But experiencing one doesn’t make you any less of a writer. There are so many others who have felt the same way and still eventually overcame their blocks. Sometimes you just need to step away from your writing and find other things and activities you enjoy to help you find inspiration again.

Amanda Winstead is a writer from the Portland area with a background in communications and a passion for telling stories. Along with writing she enjoys traveling, reading, working out, and going to concerts. If you want to follow her writing journey, or even just say hi you can find her on Twitter.

Tags copywriting, Create Motivate Inspire, creativity, Freelance Writing, magazine and freelance, magazine freelance and copywriting, magazine writing, writer's block

The Ministry of Writing

When It’s Not Working Out

Post author By Jake McCandless - The Ministry of Writing
Post date June 14, 2018
1 Comment on When It’s Not Working Out

If you’ve been writing and working towards getting published, even more so, if you are writing because you know without a shadow of doubt God has called you to do so, then I imagine (actually I’m certain) you’ve hit a dead end or will hit one soon. You’ve come to a roadblock or are headed for one. You’ve ended up at an impassable wall or at least see one in the distance.

So…what do you do?

If God has lead you to write or to share a particular message and He’s continually telling you that the mission is still a go, but it’s evident the endeavor is crashing and burning, what do you do?

Well, that’s where I am.

Actually, it’s where I’ve been the past month…err…three months…err…year. Stuck. Blocked. Crashing and burning. The odds of survival in the writing world and the mission in which I have been sent are looking bleak. So, I broke down and sought counseling.

Creative Commons License from www.pexels.com

Gathered around the table for supper, I asked my seven-year-old daughter the question I had been asking myself. I asked, “If God has told you to do something, but its hard, should you quit?” She looked at me like I was absolutely stupid and said, “You have to do what God tells you to do. If He told you to do something you have to obey, no matter how hard it is. Even if you have to die doing it.” My four-year-old added, “Daddy, you have to do what God says.”

That’s the truth I knew somewhere in my heart. Actually, I had recently written a book about that. But on my little water-walking endeavor I had let my judgment become clouded by the waves and the wind.

Although, my daughter was convincing and again I had written on the subject, I was still uncertain. So, I posed another question to my budding theologian. I asked, “What if God told you to go cross a river, but when you get there the bridge was broken and had fallen down? What should you do? Are you off the hook? Can you say, well, the bridge is gone so God must not really want me to cross the river.”

“You can’t turn around and go home if God told you to do something. You have to find a way to cross the river. Daddy, you would be like Jonah if you didn’t try to cross the river.”

Yikes. My little girl is hardcore.

My four-year-old said, “You could just swim across!” Therefore, we then changed the scenario to a river of lava.” But regardless of what substance is in the river, if God said cross the river—you cross the river or die trying.

Then a lightbulb dinged in my head—how many different ways has God got His people across water? I posed the question to my Suppertime Ecumenical Council and we went to town listing different ways.

He got Noah and his family across with the ark.
He got Moses and the Israelites across by parting the Red Sea, after Moses lifted his staff.
He got Joshua and the Israelites across the Jordan by stopping its flow, after the priests with the Ark of the Covenant stepped in the water.
He got Elijah and Elisha across the Jordan by parting it, after Elijah rolled up his cloak and stuck it in the water.
He got Elisha across the Jordan by parting it, after Elisha touched it with Elijah’s cloak.
He got the ax head out of the Jordan by making it float.
He got Jonah across the water by spitting him out of a big fish.
Jesus got the disciples and himself across the Sea of Galilee by commanding the winds and waves to stop.
Jesus went across the Sea of Galilee by walking on water.
Jesus took the disciples across the Sea of Galilee by instantly making the boat appear on the other side.

Impressive list. Also, my daughter may have had a little help compiling it.

And I don’t know about you, but looks like God can handle getting across the river if the bridge is gone. He probably could if it is lava, too.

After that counseling session I returned to my desk, and kept plugging away. God has called me to do this, therefore I got to do it or die trying.

So, what do you when its not working out?

You keep on writing.

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[bctt tweet=”So, what do you when its not working out? You keep on writing.” username=”@soldoutjake”]

Jake McCandless is an award-winning author, winner of the 2018 Selah Award for his non-fiction book Spiritual Prepepr. He is the Executive director for Stand Firm Ministries and Prophecy Simplified.. A long-time pastor who is now co-pastor of the innovative “above-ground underground,” online church, Endtime.Church., Jake has a B.A. in Bible and Pastoral Studies from Central Baptist College, and an Advanced Masters of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He also is a regular contributor to WND News with voices such as Joseph Farrah, Pat Buchanan, Ann Coulter, Ben Carson, Chuck Norris, Joel Richardson, Carl Gallups. He also writes for the The Baptist Press along with other publications. He is also a regular guest on national radio and streaming web shows, along with hosting his daily radio program Prophecy Simplified Radio and weekly podcast Hold On. You can follow all Jake’s work at www.jakemccandless.com or subscribe to his newsletter here.

Tags #SpriritualPrepper, advice for Christian writers, called to write, calling, Christian writer, Christian writing, Create Motivate Inspire, encouragement, Jake McCandless, Selah Award, Spiritual Prepper, writing

Support

On Writing: This is the Year

Post author By Leigh Ann Thomas
Post date January 27, 2018
No Comments on On Writing: This is the Year

This is the year—the year we finish the manuscript and click send.

The year we commit to being a writer with goals and purpose.

The year we bind our fears and bring a message of hope to a world struggling to breathe.

This is the year the following questions will no longer haunt us:

What makes me think I can be a writer?

For God’s gifts and his call can never be withdrawn (Romans 11:29).

By God’s grace and mighty power, I have been given the privilege of serving him by spreading this Good News (Ephesians 3:7).

Will I ever finish this manuscript?

By perseverance the snail reached the ark. Charles Spurgeon

If you’re running a 26-mile marathon, remember that every mile is run one step at a time. If you are writing a book, do it one page at a time. If you’re trying to master a new language, try it one word at a time. There are 365 days in the average year. Divide any project by 365 and you’ll find that no job is all that intimidating. Charles Swindoll

Our motto must continue to be perseverance. And ultimately I trust the Almighty will crown our efforts with success. William Wilberforce

Beginning well is a momentary thing; finishing well is a lifelong thing. Ravi Zacharias

Another rejection. Will I ever be published?

I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit (Ephesians 3:16).

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation (Romans 5:3-4).

Do not be lazy. Run each day’s race with all your might, so that at the end you will receive the victory wreath from God. Keep on running even when you have had a fall. The victory wreath is won by him who does not stay down, but always gets up again, grasps the banner of faith and keeps on running in the assurance that Jesus is Victor. Basilea Schlink

2018 is the year.

Fire the laptop. Prime the pen.

Keep writing!

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[bctt tweet=”This is the year we commit to being a writer with goals and purpose. @A3writers @LThomasWrites #Writing #Publishing” via=”no”]

(Scripture quotations NLT)

Leigh Ann Thomas is the author of three books, including Ribbons, Lace, and Moments of Grace—Inspiration for the Mother of the Bride (SonRise Devotionals). A regular contributor to AlmostAnAuthor.com, Just18Summers.com, and InTheQuiver.com, she has also published with Southern Writers Suite T, The Write Conversation, and Power for Living. She is a contributing author in 10 books and her award-winning fiction is included in three editions of Southern Writers Magazine’s Best Short Stories. You can find Leigh Ann on her front porch daydreaming story plots, or blogging at LeighAThomas.com.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/lthomaswrites

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leigh.nallthomas

Tags Create Motivate Inspire, Finish the work, Finish well, Leigh Ann Thomas, No more fear, On Writing: This is the Year, Perseverance, Reaching the world, Running the race

Create. Motivate. Inspire.

Navigating the Writer-Editor Relationship

Post author By Leigh Ann Thomas
Post date December 24, 2017
No Comments on Navigating the Writer-Editor Relationship

Ah, at last!

The proposal and manuscript is complete, polished, and sent. A contract is offered and joyfully signed. Now what?

The editing process—molding, shaping, and polishing our rough-cut diamond into a sparkling jewel, fit for publication. But no worries—we’ve come this far. How hard can this editing thing be?

The answer depends on whether or not we’re open to growth and change.

I’ve had the privilege of working with gifted editors, and certain things stand out as vital for an author in the editing process.

An author must:

Move beyond shock and awe.There will be changes to our work. An editor’s fresh perspective will see myriad ways to improve. Also, in addition to finding basic mistakes in grammar, punctuation, and structure, publishing houses have their own styles and preferences. In my latest work, I surrendered my overuse of italics. No big deal? I love italics (see what I did there?)—for thoughts, prayers, emphasis—you name it. I grieved the loss, but the result is a cleaner manuscript.
Grow through the process. The editing journey is a unique opportunity to gain insight from the best—to soak in the expertise of a pro and to learn from the inevitable mistakes and changes. Keep copies of track changesand other notes. Study them to know why the changes are needed and let it translate to a future project. Using newfound knowledge in the next writing venture is a huge confidence-builder.
Remember the editor is an ally. We share a goal with our editor—to pull the best from our work. He or she is not daydreaming of unique ways to “murder our darlings.” Our beloved manuscript is being refined! It’s okay to disagree and ask why, but no editor wants a constant battle. Trust in her mastery and be thankful (and excited!) for the opportunity to work with a professional.

What would you add as important for an author in the writer-editor relationship?

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Fire the laptop. Prime the pen.

Keep writing!

Twitter: https://twitter.com/lthomaswrites

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leigh.nallthomas

Tags Create Motivate Inspire, editing, editing our work, editor is an ally, Leigh Ann Thomas, move beyond shock and awe, Navigating the writer-editor relationship, Share a goal with editor, Writers and Editors

Create. Motivate. Inspire.

On Writing: 5 Ways to Stay Motivated

Post author By Leigh Ann Thomas
Post date November 24, 2017
1 Comment on On Writing: 5 Ways to Stay Motivated

Progress has stalled on our latest writing project. We avoid our desk, tamp down the guilt, and stay busy doing anything but writing. Another day slips by with few words on the page. What’s an anxious writer to do?

Try these 5 techniques to stay motivated and keep the words flowing:

Set writing goals and put them in writing.

Have realistic daily, weekly, and monthly goals marked on a calendar for quick reference. These can range from word counts to number of pages. There’s nothing like the adrenaline rush of meeting a goal. A disciplined writer is a happy, productive writer.

Reward yourself for meeting goals.

Oh, how we abhor procrastination guilt! But if goals are met—even small ones—rewards can be enjoyed guilt-free. Take a walk, enjoy a sweet treat, meet a friend for lunch—anything to give our muse a break so we can return rejuvenated.

Establish pre-writing rituals and build creative anticipation.

This is my favorite motivation technique. Before I sit down to write, I have my morning coffee or tea, a light breakfast, devotion/quiet time, and then I dress for work (even though I’m working at home). Throughout my routine, I can feel the creative energy building. When I sit down at my computer, I’m ready to be productive (most of the time).

Keep an idea journal with notes, scribbles, visual aids, etc.

This journal or notebook needs to be a part of us, something that never leaves our side. Ideas will come at the most unusual times—while trying to fall asleep at night, in line at the grocery store, during the Sunday sermon, in traffic, watching a movie, etc. If we don’t write it down, it may be gone forever. When we’re short on ideas, our journal is a treasure trove of inspiration.

Share goals and ideas with a writer friend.

We must have accountability in our work. Writing is about community. We need someone to ask about our progress and to simply check in regularly. Another writer knows and understands the unique struggles we face and can help us through the dry times. Also, creative brainstorming with other writers can be pure joy, inspiring myriad projects, ideas, and story plots.

Are we ready?

Fire the laptop. Prime the pen.

Keep writing!

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Twitter: https://twitter.com/lthomaswrites

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leigh.nallthomas

Tags Accountability, Almost an Author, Avoiding procrastination, Create Motivate Inspire, Creative anticipation, Creative Ideas, Keeping a journal, Leigh Ann Thomas, Meeting goals, On Writing, On Writing: 5 Ways to Stay Motivated, Overcoming fear, Pre-writing rituals, Pushing through fear, Sharing goals and ideas

Create. Motivate. Inspire.

On Writing: 3 Antidotes to Fear

Post author By Leigh Ann Thomas
Post date October 24, 2017
12 Comments on On Writing: 3 Antidotes to Fear

The writing life stands poised to strike fear into the most steadfast heart—launching arrows of self-doubt, rejection-terror, and insecurity. What if my work isn’t good enough? What will “real” writers think? There are others more talented and qualified…

What do we gain by remaining paralyzed with fear? Constant stress. Frustration. Loss of joy.

Enough. It’s time to be gutsy and fire our own arrows at those crippling voices—before we’re tempted to walk away from work that should bring passion and life.

Here are three ways to stand strong and keep perspective:

Realize that rejection serves a purpose and pushing through fear makes us stronger.

I’m not afraid of storms, for I’m learning how to sail my ship. –Louisa May Alcott

He who is not every day conquering some fear has not learned the secret of life. –Ralph Waldo Emerson

Recognize that fear suppresses creativity and productivity and hinders our growth as an artist.

Worry is a cycle of inefficient thoughts whirling around a center of fear. –Corrie Ten Boom

It is better to make a thousand failures than to be too cowardly to ever undertake anything. –Clovis G. Chappell

Fear is a self-imposed prison that will keep you from becoming what God intends for you to be. You must move against it with the weapons of faith and love. –Rick Warren

Rely on the faithfulness of the Creator and strive to be good stewards of our gifts.

It’s wonderful to climb the liquid mountains of the sky. Behind me and before me is God and I have no fears. –Helen Keller

Only he who can say, “The Lord is the strength of my life” can say, “Of whom shall I be afraid?” –Alexander MacLaren

If the Lord be with us, we have no cause of fear. His eye is upon us, His arm over us, His ear open to our prayer – His grace sufficient, His promise unchangeable. –John Newton

Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus (Phil. 1:6).

One more quote relevant to the writer’s journey:

The fear of man strangles us, because we can never please everybody; but the fear of the Lord frees us, because it challenges us to live and serve for an audience of One. –Paul Chappell

Fire the laptop. Prime the pen.

Remember the audience of One and keep writing!

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Tags Almost an Author, Author, breaking through fear, Christian writer, Christian writing, Create Motivate Inspire, Fear in writing, fire the laptop, Leigh Ann Thomas, On Writing, prime the pen, rejection in writing, writing fear

Fantasy-Sci-Fi Storyworld

Entertainment in your Storyworld

Post author By A.D. Shrum - Storyworld Columnist
Post date August 10, 2017
2 Comments on Entertainment in your Storyworld

We’ve spoken before about how little details can help color your storyworld. Societal habits, mating customs, dinner choices, and environmental aspects are all key to fleshing out a believable living space. Another aspect to consider is the way in which your characters entertain themselves.

Sometimes entertainment plays a central role in a book. The entire concept in Suzanne Collins’ Hunger Games is a deathsport reality show, partly to show the Capitol’s control over the Districts, but also partly to entertain the masses. Ernest Cline’s Ready Player One shows a world in which reality is miserable and everyone escapes into a massively multiplayer online game. This “game” supports commerce, education, and other activities, but entertainment is a major aspect, especially considering the bleak reality outside of the virtual reality “OASIS.” And Aaron Gansky’s Hand of Adonai series presents a World of Warcraft type game in which the protagonists get trapped, Tron-style, and must figure out how to escape.

In those three examples, the entertainment medium is actually the centerpiece of the novel, but it’s also the major point of tension. Specifically, each of the forms of entertainment is broken or twisted in some way, and the characters must overcome the challenges that arise.

Should entertainment play a major role in any other type of novel though? What if you have a story in the Wild West? Or a post-apocalyptic survivalist tale? A Space opera? I would argue that entertainment should be valued by your characters if you want them to feel like real people. That’s because all humans desire to have comfort and enjoyment at least part of the time (hopefully their lives aren’t always threatened by events like the ones in your novel!).

For example, John Scalzi’s The Ghost Brigades is a book about super soldiers defending humanity from a ghastly assortment of different alien species. And yet, Scalzi helps to make the storyworld feel alive with little windows of enjoyment. In one scene, a pilot is playing poker with some friends, in another, a father pirates a broadcast signal so his daughter can watch TV, and most importantly, an alien race is revealed to have no need for arts and entertainment. And this alien race realizes its lack of culture and strives to create it.

Or take Little House in the Big Woods. The novel chronicles the survival of a young girl and her family in the wilderness. Despite the struggles, there are times where she and her sister enjoy the musical talents of their father, or the two inflate and seal a pig bladder and kick it around like a ball. Personally that’s disgusting to me, but it really does help me picture the world in which little Laura Ingalls lived.

If your story is a non-stop adventure, you might feel like you don’t have time or space in your book to show scenes of enjoyment. That may be true. While not a book, the first season of the TV show 24 really pushed its story along with scant little room to explore its characters’ hobbies. Nevertheless, the first scene with the protagonist shows Jack, his wife, and his daughter finishing a late-night game. This one scene helps establish Jack’s normal life before the world started falling apart. It thus gives us an idea of what he’s fighting to get back through the whole first season.

Even if your story is very dark and the adventure extremely perilous, I would really encourage you to figure out some hobby or interest your character has to make him more personable. This is especially true if the world is very different from our own, because the character’s chosen entertainment could be used to show how foreign or similar that world is to ours. For example, a sorcerer in a fantasy adventure might enjoy magical sculpting – which might be a sort of enchanted pottery making. Or maybe he enjoys reading books of far-off adventure. In the first case, the hero has a hobby similar to one found in our world, but he clearly lives in a different reality. In the latter scenario, the sorcerer has an interest akin to that of your readers, making him relatable despite his extraordinary talents. Both are useful, depending on what you’re trying to accomplish.

That’s all for now, and possibly for a while. My wife and I are expecting our fourth child in a few weeks. Being a stay-at-home dad with four children ages 6 and under (and homeschooling the oldest two) will mean I won’t have much time to make regular updates at A3. So after two years of storyworld contributions, I’ll be taking a sabbatical for a little while. In the meantime, if there are any particular topics you’d like to see covered in the future, please leave a comment below and I can cover that subject when I return! Thanks guya and gals!

Ghost Brigades Image from: http://www.alisoneldred.com/imageJohnHarris-Illustration-2-58.html

Pig Bladder Kicking Picture from: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/270638258827560791/

24 Family Picture from: http://www.buddytv.com/articles/24/hottest-tv-dads-jack-bauer-24-17503.aspx

Tags AD Shrum, Almost an Author, Christian writer, Christian writing, Create Motivate Inspire, creative writing, creativity, fiction, inspiration, sci-fi, science fiction

Create. Motivate. Inspire.

3 Simple Ways to Grow as a Writer

Post author By Leigh Ann Thomas
Post date June 23, 2017
2 Comments on 3 Simple Ways to Grow as a Writer

Most days, writing brings us joy. Our brains stay on overdrive as we scribble ideas on scraps of paper, napkins, and the edges of our church bulletins. A song on the radio sparks an idea and we scramble to record our thoughts. Middle-of-the-night inspiration brings a groan from our spouse as lamplight is needed to locate a pen fast.

But then, creativity stalls. The blank screen seems to mock us and make us wonder if the words will ever come. Or we are restless—writing the same old words, the same old way.

How do we avoid stagnation? Here are 3 simple ways to grow and to rediscover joy in our work:

Read. And not what we always read. Read short stories and full-length novels. Read poetry and screen plays, magazines and newspapers. Read biographies and draw inspiration from stories of men and women who made a difference in our country and the world. Read about the amazing—about dragons and brave warriors. Be a kid again and devour tales of animals that talk and heroes who fly. Read words that make you think and ponder. And when you find a great book, slow down and ask, why is this good? Why did this book make me laugh, or forget the time? And how can I use these techniques in my work?

Listen. There are stories all around us. When our parents or other family talk about the good old days? Listen closely—there are incredible story ideas tucked inside. When we hear bits of conversation waiting in line at the grocery store or sitting in a restaurant, let it spark our imaginations. Most importantly, listen for the heart-cries of our world. Are there needs God wants us to meet through an encouraging article or devotional? How can our words minister to someone today? Listen for God’s direction in each sentence composed.

Daydream. Writers must be dreamers. Go a little crazy and lose the cellphone, turn off the television and computer, and simply be still. Something magical happens when we allow ourselves time to think and dream. Our imaginations take wing as we step away from everyday chaos and lift our hearts to the Author of creativity.

To be good stewards of our gifts, we must be intentional about growing in our craft.

Are we ready? Fire the laptop.

Prime the pen.

Keep writing!

How do you avoid stagnation in your writing? How do you keep the joy?

[bctt tweet=”We must be intentional about growing in our craft. @A3forMe @LThomasWrites #write #amwriting” via=”no”]

[bctt tweet=”Our imaginations take wing as we lift our hearts to the Author of creativity. @A3forMe @LThomasWrites #write #create” via=”no”]

Tags 3 Simple Ways to Grow as a Writer, Create Motivate Inspire, Daydream, Grow in the writing craft, Growing as a Writer, Leigh Ann Thomas, listen, Read

Create. Motivate. Inspire.

Writing His Answer

I was immersed in online research for a work-in-progress when my computer froze and a warning banner flashed across the screen. I tapped on the keys, hoping for a quick fix. No such luck.

The escape key was my next option. Nothing. I was ready to ctrl-alt-del when the warning banner changed colors and a shrill alarm filled the room. Um…not good.

Right before my eyes, I was under attack. Irritated, I shut down my computer and waited for rescue by my super-tech husband. I was confident he would hit a few keys and life would return to normal. How bad could it be?

For hours my husband and I worked on that virus. Oh, there were promises of answers. Hundreds of “voices” offered solutions and quick fixes—for a price. But we had no way of knowing what or whom to trust.

I felt frustrated. Anxious. Vulnerable. I needed an answer—it seemed that my life was on that computer. And I was mad—at the virus, and at the attackers.

Around midnight, after five straight hours of intense effort, my husband placed the computer on my lap and gave me a tired smile. “It’s going to be okay.”

Relief poured over me—and gratitude. An answer! There was an answer!

In our Christ-walk, God wants us to pause, look around, and see a world searching for answers. Really see the men, women and children who are overwhelmed, frustrated, and anxious. People who search for a solution to their emptiness in a culture of chaos. Those under attack by myriad “voices”—confused about whom to trust.

They are souls waiting for rescue.

In Galatians, Paul encourages the believers to “do good to all people” and to “not become weary.” He knew that as Christians in a secular culture we would get tired and be tempted to quit—especially when we didn’t see quick results from our efforts.

But there are those who long for the sweet relief of discovering The Answer. Those who crave truth and purity and liberation from their bondage to this world.

They need someone to say, “It’s going to be okay.”

God’s word promises us a harvest—if we don’t give up. So stand strong.

Keep writing His answer.

Don’t quit!

[bctt tweet=”Keep writing His answer. Don’t quit! @A3forMe @LThomasWrites #amwriting #write” via=”no”]

[bctt tweet=”There are those who long for the sweet relief of discovering The Answer. @A3forMe @LThomasWrites #Write #Amwriting” username=””]

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up (Galatians 6:9 NIV).

How do you keep discouragement at bay in your writing life?

Tags Create Motivate Inspire, Do not become weary, Don't quit, Leigh Ann Thomas, Searching for answers, The Answer, Writing His Answer

Create. Motivate. Inspire. Support

On Writing: Breaking Through Doubt and Fear

Post author By Leigh Ann Thomas
Post date April 23, 2017
2 Comments on On Writing: Breaking Through Doubt and Fear

Please Lord, please…could I possibly get an honorable mention? Just one of those beautiful folders with a certificate inside. Please, Lord? My mom liked my story. She said it made her cry. That counts for something, doesn’t it?

The urgent prayer pounded in my heart and mind as I strained to hear the voice of the contest coordinator during the writers conference awards dinner. A hundred conversations swirled around the banquet room but my attention was riveted on center stage.

Please, Lord…

For this girl, 2014 was not just another conference. After running from God’s purposes for close to a decade, I stepped onto the conference campus with a heart of fear and trembling and a suitcase packed with dreams.

Alone and not knowing anyone in attendance, I gripped the Lord’s hand so tightly I half-expected to hear a Holy Ghost ouch!

But with great compassion and long-suffering, God carried me as I clung and held me as I wept.

First, I cried through my critique session. Then I cried from the embarrassment of crying. I sobbed after workshops from hearing God’s call in the encouragement and teaching of the faculty. The tears flowed each evening as I praised God for new friendships with other writerly souls.

My time of wandering in the desert, fighting the call to write, was ending—and it wasn’t comfortable. Thrilling, maybe. Terrifying, without a doubt. But comfortable? Not even a little bit. (I guess the Lord thought my desert needed watering because I think of that week as the Great Flood.)

By Wednesday evening and the awards banquet, I was a sopping mess. I had the “gall” to enter two contests. The short story category passed me by and now I was pleading my case for flash fiction.

Please, Lord…I need something tangible to affirm your voice.

The announcer stepped to the podium. “Flash fiction, honorable mention…”

The name called wasn’t mine.

Third place, Lord? Would that be possible?

As the third and second place winners were called and applause filled the room for other writers, the strangest thing happened. I took a deep breath and realized that my soul was infused with joy—and peace and hope and excitement for the future. Whatever happened, God brought me to this place.

The moment was the culmination of a heart’s surrender and a life’s redirection. No matter what, I was a writer.

And yes, I wanted to cry.

I glanced up, surprised that the announcer was still talking. “Flash fiction, first place…”

In the most surreal of moments, my name floated from the stage.

I’m sure I gave those around me a good chuckle. My hands flew to my mouth, I gasped, and my thoughts were screaming, I want to thank my mama, my papa, and the good Lord above (the CMA awards would have been proud).

The award was more than “winning.” A gracious God affirmed His call and design. He brought life back to my barrenness.

A year later, the 2015 conference was amazing. More affirmation. New doors of opportunity. But do you know what hangs front and center on my office bulletin board?

The award for my little piece of flash fiction. The one that I hoped to reach an honorable mention.

For a loving Father gave me more than I dreamed or imagined.

We serve a God who restores and turns ashes into beauty. He reaches through fear and tugs—fearfully and gently—come, child…trust Me.

If fear is preventing you from attending a conference or entering a contest, remember this:

There is joy, peace, and passion in doing what you were created to do.

The time is now.

Reach. Write. Live.

As you seek to put pen to paper, how do you battle the voices of doubt and insecurity? What will you do this year to break through any fear or hesitation in your writing?

[bctt tweet=”There is joy, peace, and passion in doing what you were created to do. @A3forMe @lthomaswrites #amwriting #ampublishing” via=”no”]

[bctt tweet=”We serve a God who restores and turns ashes into beauty. @A3forM3 @lthomaswrites #amwriting #write #restore” via=”no”]

Tags Create Motivate Inspire, Fear in writing, fighting fear as a writer, Joy in Writing, Leigh Ann Thomas, Overcoming doubt

Create. Motivate. Inspire.

After Submission: 3 Vital Steps

Post author By Leigh Ann Thomas
Post date February 23, 2017
2 Comments on After Submission: 3 Vital Steps

We’ve submitted that article, devotion, or book proposal, and the feelings of euphoria have begun to fade. Questions ping through our minds like rogue fireworks. When will I hear something? Will they like it? How will my submission stand out against so many? What do I do now?

The next steps are critical to our writing health. Will we flounder, unsure of the next project to tackle, or will we soar on a wave of momentum?

Here are 3 steps to help with perspective and focus after a submission:

Pray, leaving your work in God’s hands. Thank Him for the opportunity to write and submit your work. Praise Him for the gift of words and for being the Source of all creativity. Ask Him for strength and wisdom to be patient in waiting and to trust His purposes.

Rest and restore both mind and body. Whether a few minutes, hours, or days, take a break from work. Take a walk, read, or enjoy another creative or artistic activity. Make a short-list of future writing projects and pray over them, seeking God’s heart. (For a fresh perspective, try to do this away from your normal work location.)

Get busy! Resist procrastination. Eagerly delve into the next project. Remember—you have accomplished something most writers haven’t—you have completed and submitted your work. Use this momentum as fuel for your next ideas. Ensure that what you’ve learned in this writing journey translates to the new work.

Pray, rest, and get busy. Are we ready?

Fire the laptop. Prime the pen. Let’s get to work!

[bctt tweet=”After Submission–3 Vital Steps @lthomaswrites #amwriting #writertips” username=”@A3forMe”]

How have you maintained focus and perspective after a submission?

Tags After submission 3 vital steps, Create Motivate Inspire, focus and perspective, Get busy writing, Leigh Ann Thomas, Pray over submission, procrastination, Rest and restore

Storyworld

Anatomy of Grays: Sex

Post author By A.D. Shrum - Storyworld Columnist
Post date February 13, 2017
2 Comments on Anatomy of Grays: Sex

Jim held a gray spheroid up to the light. “So Doc, you’re saying the sex of this alien was actually female?”

“That is perhaps an overstatement. This is clearly an egg we retrieved from the deceased Sharalla pilot. While this may indicate a female of the species, their biology is unlike anything we’ve encountered. For all we know, the males carry the fertilized eggs, as in some of Earth’s aquatic wildlife.”

Jim lowered the egg, which had the size, heft, and texture of a softball. “You’re not saying this thing is fertilized are you?”

The doctor shook his head. “Our scientific team has concluded it most certainly is not. We wouldn’t let you handle it otherwise.”

The little rock wiggled itself in Jim’s hand, producing a breathless stare from Doctor Stein.

“Ahh,” Jim sighed in mock contentment, “ the certainty of science.”

What better way to spend the day before Valentine’s than talking about alien sex and reproduction? Seriously though, the method of reproduction in an alien species dictates much of its culture, so it bears at least some consideration in your storyworld.

Assuming your creatures have some form of sex to reproduce (and don’t just materialize or breed asexually), you’ll need to figure out how they do it. Generally, it will involve some form of fertilization, the method in which sex cells, containing half the genetic composition of each parent, unite to form a new, unique member of the species. This is broadly separated into two categories: external fertilization and internal fertilization.

External Fertilization

External fertilization is a form of sex that is mostly reserved to earth’s fish. While from our view, this seems impersonal, it doesn’t have to be. Granted, there doesn’t seem to be much intimacy between two fish, but there is sometimes a loyalty to the young. The male Siamese Fighting Fish will tirelessly guard over its eggs, ensuring they remain in a nest of bubbles until they hatch. Male seahorses will care for their fertilized eggs in a special pouch. Cichlids are fish that keep their eggs in their mouths, and continued to do so until they’ve not only hatched, but are old enough to fend for themselves.

If you introduce a sentient (and somewhat relatable) alien species with external fertilization, it would probably be best to model it after one of these more maternal or paternal species on earth. That is, unless you’re trying to create a heartless society of extraterrestrials. In that case, spawning massive numbers of progeny at random might fit better.

Internal Fertilization

This is the section that might get me fired from my position at A3. I’m kidding, I’m kidding – you can’t fire someone who works for free … I think. Anyway, internal fertilization is when male sex cells enter the female’s body and find the female sex cell(s). They combine and form a new life, starting as a zygote and eventually either hatching into the world, or emerging via the birth canal.

Which brings up the next distinction, whether or not the animal lays an egg or cares for the embryo in an internal placenta. Some examples of egg-laying creatures on earth are reptiles and birds. If your alien species lays an egg, you’ll have to decide the level of involvement you want the parents to have in guarding that egg. Some birds like the hornbill are very protective of their eggs. So much so that the female blocks herself off in a tree hole and entirely depends on her mate to bring her food. Others, like sea turtles, bury their eggs in the sand and then leave, hoping for the best (there may be a reason they’re so endangered). Rattlesnakes are odd egg layers though, since they don’t really lay eggs, but keep the eggs internally until they hatch. While that may sound like a live birth, the eggs are still self-sustaining, meaning no nutrients pass from mother to child.

And that’s actually one of the distinguishing features of sex and reproduction in a mammal – the placenta. When a mammal baby develops in the womb, it receives nutrients from its mother until ready for birth. Even then, female mammals provide milk for their young with their mammary glands (breasts in humans, udders in cows and pigs, etc.).

Sex Between Species

While forbidden in Leviticus 19, sex between two different species occasionally produces a hybrid creature. Probably most well known is the mule, a cross between a donkey and a horse. Additionally, ligers are crosses between tigers and lions, and according to liger scholar and artist Napoleon Dynamite, they’re bred for their skills in magic. There are a lot of different hybrids out there, including zonkeys , dzos, and other strange creatures. Usually the two parents need a similar number of chromosomes, and even then the result is typically a sterile creature. Sometimes though, intentionally breeding two species results in a very, very bad hybrid, such as the killer bee. Yes, thank science for producing a species of insect capable of killing thousands of humans and livestock … and then accidentally releasing them from quarantine -whoops.

Sometimes in sci-fi and fantasy literature you’ll see a hybrid race. The most obvious that comes to my mind is the Half-Elf. Born of human and elven parentage, these half-races display characteristics of each. But in a sci-fi or fantasy world, you can’t assume that every alien species can intermingle with every other. In Michael A. Stackpole’s X-Wing series, one of his protagonists humorously recounts a bad memory of having sex with an alien. The two hadn’t considered the delicate pH balance in that… region. And as a result, both partners developed severe rashes and some other, ahem, unpleasant side effects.

Sex and Culture

As I said in my intro, sex (and marriage) is a huge factor that dictates how a culture operates. How do two individuals in a species find a mate? How do they produce offspring? How do they care for their offspring? Is there sexual deviancy and abuse? While these are all major questions that deserve an entire column this column has mostly addressed biology. Fear not though, I will address them in the future. So if this article interests you, be on the watch for my sex and worldbuilding article in the next few months.

There, I made it through an entire column dedicated to sex without once mentioning the words vagina or penis. Oh! Darn. Well, almost.

Next month we’ll continue our anatomy series and tackle the neuroendocrine system! Yeah, that’s basically just a fancy word for evaluating how an alien thinks and feels.

Photo Credits:

Birds and Bees Photo: http://www.evilenglish.net/the-birds-and-the-bees/

Siamese Fighting Fish Photo (Also great resource regarding these cool fish): http://dkphoto.photoshelter.com/gallery-image/Siamese-Fighting-Fish-Life-Cycle/G0000_kRdp2qXrtk/I0000qlzVaRnV4Qw/C0000NHUtq8T1jVw

Napoleon Dynamite Inspired Liger Drawing: https://www.flickr.com/photos/51035597721@N01/5266903

Tags Almost an Author, Christian writer, Create Motivate Inspire, creativity, fiction, ideas, inspiration, novelist, sex, storyworld, write, writer, writers, writing, Writing Craft, writing ideas, Writing Inspiration, Writing tips

Create. Motivate. Inspire.

Focus (Or Lack Thereof)

With an incredible sense of purpose, I opened the window blinds and faced the morning sun.

Today, I thought, I’m going to make something happen. My keyboard will soar in the hands of a skillful writer. I will conquer the screen and many will be blessed because of my courage.

As I completed morning chores, my thoughts ran ahead to the words I wanted to whittle and shape with vision and imagination. A glass of Diet Dr. Pepper close by, I sat at my desk, fingers poised over the keyboard. A pen and legal pad were on standby. Oh, yeah. This was going to be good.

But wait, this screen is dusty. Where’s my super-duper lint-free cloth?

What a lovely day. Maybe I should write outside…

Did the dryer just buzz?

I need some music.

Uh-oh. Need a refill on soda.

This music is annoying.

Okay, here we go. Once upon a time… Brilliant, just brilliant.

Um…Once upon a dark and stormy night…

Maybe it’s time for a break.

I would love to say that mornings like these are few and far between. But all too often, the hours can slip by with few words on the page. Good intentions get lost in a lack of self-control and I accomplish very little. I’m guilty of having the attention span of a puppy—my thoughts jumping from one distraction to the next.

The Apostle Paul taught the Corinthian believers of the need for discipline and self-control. “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air” (1 Cor. 9:24-26).

When we approach our writing time with a careless attitude, we are “running aimlessly” and “beating the air.” Paul knew that ministry without Christ-centered focus would ultimately fail, and his witness would suffer. “No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize” (V.27).

A fruitful writing ministry is grounded in discipline and in the relentless seeking of the heart of God.

And the joy from such a ministry will spill over and change the world.

Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control (Prov. 25:28).

As we consider our writing life over the past few days, are we plagued by a lack of discipline? How can we be better stewards of our time?

[bctt tweet=”How can we be better stewards of our writing time? #amwriting #writertips ” username=”@A3forMe @lthomaswrites”]

[bctt tweet=”A fruitful writing ministry is grounded in discipline and in the relentless seeking of the heart of God. #amwriting #writer” username=”@A3forMe @lthomaswrites”]

Tags Create Motivate Inspire, Discipline in writing, distractions in writing, fruitful writing ministry, Leigh Ann Thomas, self-control in writing, Writing focus

Create. Motivate. Inspire.

A Note by Any Other Name

Three days before Christmas, a delivery man turned in our driveway, honked the horn, and requested my signature. Then he presented me with a certified letter, calling out “Merry Christmas” as he drove away.

A certified letter? This wasn’t something I received every day. Or ever.

The return address was stamped with the name of a publishing house where I had submitted a work of fiction. My knees wobbled and for a moment I forgot I was standing outside in 30-degree weather without a coat or shoes. My heart beating double-time, I flew into the house and stood staring at the envelope.

Could it be? After all this time? This was shaping up to be the best Christmas ever!

Heart still skipping, palms slightly moist, I began to read:

“Thank you for your submission. Our staff has looked over your manuscript, but we have decided not to pursue publication at this time.”

Wait, what?

Confused, I studied the envelope. But it came by certified mail.

Certified. Mail.

Some writers call them no-thank-you notes. But let’s call them what they are—rejection letters. Whatever we have attempted to submit for publication has been returned with the carefully pre-penned words: Thank you for your submission, but…

It’s the “but” that gets me every time.

The words following that but tend to blur into garbled script—it doesn’t meet our needs at this time…we have decided not to pursue publication…it doesn’t fit our editorial calendar…

I thought about finding a job writing the infamous rejection letters. Let’s see…I so appreciate your courage and hard work…and believe me, this is not personal…and, um, I don’t want you to give up your dreams of publication…but…

Oh well. I guess straight-and-to-the-point is best.

My certified rejection was unique, but there have been other no-thank-you notes containing glimpses of hope, and if I hadn’t been blinded by my poor attitude, I might have recognized what they offered.

Flipping through my rejection file, I paused to read a note from several years ago. It began typically enough…Thank you for your recent submission. Unfortunately…

And several years ago, that’s where I stopped reading.

But now, I continued: Unfortunately, it is too long for our children’s book format. If you would like to rework it and resubmit we would be happy to review it again.

Wait, what? Rework it and resubmit…?

Shame washed over me as I realized what my attitude may have cost me. This publisher had given me a touch of direction, an offer to review it again.

And I had thrown away the opportunity.

I am so thankful we serve a God who redeems our mess-ups and uses them for His glory. Romans 8:28 is a verse I tend to shy away from, but its power is unmistakable. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Some of the good from my mistakes and no-thank-you notes center on the Holy Spirit’s work in my heart. Through my faltering steps, God has worked to refine me and call me into a place of deeper trust and reliance on Him. Keeping my hand in His gives me the courage to keep those submissions out there, trusting the results to His purposes.

A writer’s life is a jumble of joy and despair, elation and misery. But everything in the life of a Christian writer can be used for the glory of God.

Even a certified no-thank-you.

What is the most unique no-thank-you you have received and how can you use it to encourage other writers?

[bctt tweet=”Thankful we serve a God who redeems our mess-ups and uses them for His glory. @lthomaswrites #amwriting” username=”@A3forMe”]

[bctt tweet=”What can we learn from rejection? @lthomaswrites #amwriting” username=”@A3forMe”]

Tags Almost an Author, Create Motivate Inspire, Learning from rejection, Leigh Ann Thomas, rejection letter, Thank you for your submission

Create. Motivate. Inspire.

On Writing: 5 Insights from C. S. Lewis

Post author By Leigh Ann Thomas
Post date November 23, 2016
No Comments on On Writing: 5 Insights from C. S. Lewis

Need a bit of insight as you ready the pen or laptop today? Consider the following from one of the greatest writers of all time:

“Take great pains to be clear. Remember that though you start by knowing what you mean, the reader doesn’t, and a single ill-chosen word may lead him to a total misunderstanding. In a story it is terribly easy just to forget that you have not told the reader something that he needs to know—the whole picture is so clear in your own mind that you forget that it isn’t the same in his.”
“When you give up a bit of work don’t (unless it is hopelessly bad) throw it away. Put it in a drawer. It may come in useful later. Much of my best work, or what I think my best, is the re-writing of things begun and abandoned years earlier.”
“Always prefer the plain direct word to the long, vague one. Don’t implement promises, but keep them.”
“Don’t use adjectives which merely tell us how you want us to feel about the things you are describing. I mean, instead of telling us the thing is ‘terrible’ describe it so that we’ll be terrified. Don’t say it was ‘delightful’; make us say ‘delightful’ when we’ve read the description. You see, all those words (horrifying, wonderful, hideous, exquisite) are only like saying to your readers ‘Please, will you do my job for me.’”
“We must not of course write anything that will flatter lust, pride or ambition. But we needn’t all write patently moral or theological work. Indeed, work whose Christianity is latent may do quite as much good and may reach some whom the more obvious religious work would scare away. The first business of a story is to be a good story. When Our Lord made a wheel in the carpenter shop, depend upon it: It was first and foremost a good wheel. Don’t try to ‘bring in’ specifically Christian bits: if God wants you to serve him in that way (He may not: there are different vocations) you will find it coming in of its own accord. If not, well—a good story which will give innocent pleasure is a good thing, just like cooking a good nourishing meal. . . . Any honest workmanship (whether making stories, shoes, or rabbit hutches) can be done to the glory of God.”

Who is your go-to author for inspiration?

Get inspired and keep writing!

[bctt tweet=”5 Writing Tips from C. S. Lewis @A3forMe #amwriting #writer” via=”no”]

[bctt tweet=”Any honest workmanship (whether making stories, shoes, or rabbit hutches) can be done to the glory of God.” C.S. Lewis @A3forMe @lthomaswrites” via=”no”]

(1, 2) C. S. Lewis letter to a girl named Thomasine (December 14, 1959).

(3, 4) C. S. Lewis letter to Joan Lancaster (June 26, 1956).

(5) C. S. Lewis letter to Cynthia Donnelly (August 14, 1954).

More insight from Lewis: https://blogs.thegospelcoalition.org/justintaylor/2016/03/26/15-pieces-of-writing-advice-from-c-s-lewis/

Tags Almost an Author, Christian writer, Christian writing, Create Motivate Inspire, encouragement, inspiration, Leigh Ann Thomas, Writing Instruction, Writing tips

Fantasy-Sci-Fi Storyworld

World-building From the Eyes of a Character

Post author By A.D. Shrum - Storyworld Columnist
Post date November 9, 2016
No Comments on World-building From the Eyes of a Character

The carbine was still jammed and Jim couldn’t do anything to fix it. He finally tossed it aside and cursed the shoddy Adronni weapon manufacturers – maybe their world would be next on the alien invasion tour. A shrill whine filled the air, and Jim pressed himself tighter against the debris-covered groundcar. A scant thirty feet away the earth erupted in blue smoke. As the remains of a prefab shelter rained harmlessly over his powersuit, Jim took inventory. A Gilgamesh repeater pistol, a single frag, and a suit of armor with a busted rebreather. As long as the reptilians didn’t gas him first, he’d probably live long enough for one of their walker units to plasma-blast him in the chest. He sighed. No, there was one last thing he possessed – the souls of his charred comrades pushing him on to avenge them. Jim unholstered the pistol and peered around the corner. Time to move – vengeance would be his!

On the surface, the above paragraph looks like an action scene. It’s dripping with tension, and Jim’s fate looks pretty bleak. But even an action-packed paragraph can be used to build your world. In fact, study it a minute and try to identify some of the foreign storyworld elements.

We’re not sure what kind of weaponry Jim has (laser? projectile?), but his attackers clearly have plasma weapons that explode in puffs of blue gas. And we can guess based on the grisly state of his allies that either the plasma weapons burned them alive or that the aliens have some other kind of burning weapon.

Let’s look at some of the subtler elements though. Take the use of the word “groundcar.” What is the implication there? Obviously a “groundcar” is a type of vehicle distinguished from some other type. An aircar? A hover car? We don’t know specifics, but use of that word reveals that methods other than ground-based vehicles are used for transportation in this world.

We also get a glimpse into the intergalactic relations. First of all, these reptilians are not only invading Jim’s planet but have apparently been on “tour,” invading many planets. We don’t know if “Adronni” is a company or a race of aliens, but we do know that either Jim or his military outfit purchased firearms from otherworldly suppliers. This establishes that the storyworld has interplanetary trade.

All of this could be done from a detached, third-person omniscient perspective, but the story is told from a deep, although third-person, POV. This not only conveys the gobs of storyworld information above, but it also does two other things: 1) it gives the action emotional impact. Sure, the battle scene is only a paragraph long, but you’re emotionally involved in the character. It inspires you to read onward and learn Jim’s fate, even as your imagination processes the alien elements. And 2) the world is shown with Jim’s particular biases. A comment like “shoddy Adronni weapon manufacturers” shows us Jim has preferences in firearms and the Adronni-supplied weapons are apparently not among them. This doesn’t mean his preferences are necessarily right, and a different character’s POV may reveal a different perspective on the carbine and its manufacturer. Your storyworld’s inhabitants, like those in the real world, won’t always agree on things.

This isn’t to say that every paragraph in your 90,000-word manuscript must be packed with exotic storyworld elements, but the first few chapters should do so as much as possible. And if you’re trying to get your audience attached to your characters in that same timeframe, doing so from a close, ground-level perspective can really help.

Last year, my favorite novel was Monster Hunter International written by Larry Correia. A contemporary fantasy novel like this doesn’t need as much storyworld explanation as a distant-future sci-fi novel, but the author does equally amazing jobs at world-building and deep character exploration. I’ve also just started Marc Turner’s When the Heavens Fall, an epic novel with some well-developed fantasy elements and several great POVs. A final verdict will have to wait since I haven’t finished it yet, but thus far it’s a great read and exemplifies some of what we’ve discussed here.

That’s all for now. Next month we’ll kick off a series on alien and fantastic biology. Until then, let me know if there are any other storyworld elements you’d like me to explore in this space. Thanks for reading!

Support

THIS IS WAR!

Tackling a writing project can be a battle—a hard-fought conflict with procrastination, fear, insecurity, and self-discipline.

We’ve all authored projects that took a toll mentally and physically (like being run over by a truck).

But what is the root of these issues?

For a Christian writer, our struggle is not against flesh and blood (Eph. 6:12). As we submit articles, stories, devotions, and novels with a Christ-centered worldview, we are threatening the forces of evil. Satan is not happy.

Check out verse 12 in context: For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

If we write for Christ, we are a threat to the powers of darkness. These powers of evil can attack and overwhelm us on every side. They whisper sour nothings in our ears: Who do you think you are? You’re not a writer! Why even try when you’ll be rejected? Don’t worry about that opportunity—do it tomorrow…

What’s a beleaguered writer to do?

Our answer is found in verses 13-17: Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Are we ready to take a stand?

Belt of truth: In my writing, am I staying true to the Word of God? Do I water-down the Gospel to achieve publication?

Breastplate of righteousness: Am I tempted to compromise biblical values in my work?

Shoes of readiness: Do I walk in obedience to my Lord, ready to follow His voice?

Shield of faith: Do I believe God when He says He has called me to write? Do I trust Him to guide me in my work?

Helmet of Salvation: Does Christ control my thought-life?

Sword of the Spirit: Do I live in the Word so that my life reflects His strength and glory?

Let’s not leave our armor in a drawer or leaning by the back door. It’s time to suit up and get busy.

The time is now!

Which piece(s) of God’s armor are you prone to neglect? Does it make a difference in your writing?

[bctt tweet=”In my writing, am I staying true to the Word of God? ” username=”@a3forme @lthomaswrites”]

[bctt tweet=”Am I tempted to compromise biblical values in my work?” username=”@a3forme @lthomaswrites”]

Tags armor of God, battle in writing, Create Motivate Inspire, Leigh Ann Thomas, spiritual warfare

Storyworld

Board Games that Inspire Writing

Post author By A.D. Shrum - Storyworld Columnist
Post date October 11, 2016
2 Comments on Board Games that Inspire Writing

The murmur of countless alien tongues subsided as the chairman of the interstellar council called for order. The delegates to Mecatol Rex were unusually nervous tonight, and with good reason. By the end of the week, congress might put forth a motion to ban bio-technology, a move that would devastate the inhabitants of New Moscow. The young ambassador from the Federation of Sol held his breath as the insectoid chancellor of Sardakk N’orr took to the stage, violently shaking a proposal in his foreclaw. The political games had begun.

When you think of storyworld ideas, your typical sources are probably other books, movies, and TV shows. But have you considered board games? No, I’m not talking about Monopoly, Risk, or Sorry. Modern games provide a wealth of imaginative fodder for the aspiring novelist.

The example in my opening paragraph comes from a truly epic game called Twilight Imperium. In it, various alien races compete for galactic supremacy through military force, shrewd diplomacy, and delicate trade arrangements. While there are similarities to any conquest-type game, from a writing perspective the real gem is the character development of the individual races and the manner in which they interact in the galaxy. In addition to battles and alliances, the actual rules of the game get voted on regularly at the council event. It’s an intriguing concept for a game, and any sc-fi writer is sure to enjoy the political debates between each of the six players. Trade deals and a variety of starships round the game out and should provide an abundance of ideas for anyone hoping to write a space opera.

Smaller in scope but not in story, the game Love Letter is a simple game where each player has only a single-card hand. Easy to learn, but sophisticated enough to keep gamers coming back, Love Letter serves as a wonderful gateway for those unfamiliar with modern games. But even the included back story is captivating. Basically, the queen of the kingdom has died and various suitors are trying to win the hand of the princess. The king won’t just let anyone speak with his daughter, so he carefully guards the young woman. Her only hope – that some handsome prince might find a way to deliver a message through the castle staff. Filled with intrigue and amusing characters, you might be surprised at the writing inspiration you can draw from this simple game.

I recently had the opportunity to play the game Imperial Assault, a cooperative strategy game of heroes set in the Star Wars universe. While you might think you already know that Galaxy Far, Far Away pretty well, you should think again as you play this. Set in the period of the rebellion, each character possesses a deep history and exciting side quests. My character, a force-sensitive operative dressed somewhat like Mortal Kombat’s Sub Zero, is on the hunt for his former employer who might be selling secrets to the Empire. The set-up is similar to a Jason Bourne movie, but with enough interesting twists to keep me engaged. But the story isn’t just about my character, as each of the main characters has his own story that further fleshes out the universe. The elements of the world (blasters, walkers, etc.) may feel familiar, but the scenarios are unique enough that they may inspire you in ways that George Lucas’ films haven’t.

Set in the Wild West, Shadows of Brimstone puts you in the role of a sheriff, preacher, rancher, or any number of assorted other professions of the period, and pits you against a wide array of Cthulu-inspired critters. The blending of monsters with a gold-rush era landscape is a great and fresh setting. The individual missions are all twists on old west concepts, whether exploring an abandoned (and now demonically reoccupied) mine, rescuing a child who fell down a well (and is now surrounded by evil critters), or finding the source of a town’s disturbances (which happen to be in another dimension). The amount of storyworld built here is stunning. Many of the ideas could inspire a hopeful steampunk or fantasy writer.

This is just a small sampling of various games I’ve played, but the wealth of ideas that have gone cardboard is legion, and many host quirky and fun stories to boot. If you get a chance, stop by your local boardgame store and scope out the market. From the 16^th century piracy of Merchants and Marauders to the superhero battles of Sentinels of the Multiverse, you’re sure to find something that captures your imagination. Granted, you can’t lift their storyworlds directly without a copyright lawsuit, but if you’re searching for inspiration, this might be the ticket. Ooh, did I mention Ticket-to-Ride?

Twilight Imperium image from http://www.swordsandspace.com/2013/08/twilight-imperium-after-action-report_31.html

Love Letter image from https://lordoftheboard.wordpress.com/2013/05/17/love-letters/

Imperial Assault image from https://deathwatchstudios.com/2016/07/11/imperial-assault-heroes-of-the-bespin-gambit/

Shadows of Brimstone image from https://wediealotblog.wordpress.com/

Tags Almost an Author, Board Games, character motivation, Christian writer, Christian writing, Create Motivate Inspire, creative writing, creativity, fiction, Games, ideas, inspiration, novel, novelist, write, writing, writing ideas, Writing Inspiration

Create. Motivate. Inspire. Support

Check Your Writer’s Pulse!

Post author By Leigh Ann Thomas
Post date September 23, 2016
No Comments on Check Your Writer’s Pulse!

It’s time for a check-up. Take a deep breath and consider this:

What do you love most about writing?

Answer A – Where do I begin? Losing myself in a story? The feeling of my fingers on the keyboard, the cursor flying across the screen? Disappearing for hours in imaginary worlds, knowing that God and I are on this incredible adventure together? Realizing I’ve been called to write for His glory and that my words will make a difference? Conquering the blank page? Brainstorming new ideas? Learning and growing with other writers? (Stop me, I’m on a roll…)

Answer B – Seriously? Do you know how many rejections I received this month? Do you have any idea the deadlines I’m under? Have you seen my blog numbers? If my mom didn’t check in once in a while, I wouldn’t have any consistent followers. My writer friends are getting published and building their platforms. I haven’t hammered the first nail in the first sheet of plywood. (Stop me, I’m on a roll…)

Maybe your answer falls somewhere between the two. You have days of I-really-love-this and days of what-in-the-world-am-I-doing?

We have highs and lows in any career field, but have we lost our joy in writing? If we’re filled with anxiety and dread at the thought of putting pen to paper, it’s time to pause for a reality check.

In our writing lives, do we:

Watch the numbers?

Do we check our “likes” and “shares” every few minutes after we send a post into the world? Do we measure success by the digits? Have our readers become faceless statistics? Have we forgotten that God measures victory by obedience and changed lives?

Play the comparison game?

Are we excited or frustrated when others succeed? Do we share the work of other writers or just our own? Do we feel resentment when another writer enjoys the spotlight? Do we regularly pray for our writer friends?

Focus on the climb?

Is our goal to suffer through writing the free stuff so we can get to the “real” paying jobs? Have we become too “talented” to help an aspiring writer? Are we being still before the Lord, seeking His heart and purpose for our work?

The stakes are too high to trudge through a mediocre writing life. Taking the time to check our writing pulse will identify areas of concern and breathe new life into our work.

We are writers on a mission.

Let’s get busy!

How do you keep your writer’s pulse strong and healthy?

[bctt tweet=”The stakes are too high to trudge through a mediocre writing life” username=”@A3forMe @cyleyoung @lthomaswrites”]

[bctt tweet=”What do you love most about writing?” username=”@A3forMe @clyleyoung @lthomaswrites”]

Tags Check your writer's pulse, Create Motivate Inspire, Joy in Writing, Leigh Ann Thomas, reality check in writing, writing for God's glory

Create. Motivate. Inspire. Support

Write, Wait…Marinate!

What a day. We’ve been fighting to stay in the zone, our fingers flying over the keyboard searching for that illusive magic. Mr. Deadline—arms crossed and watching with a smirk—ramps up the pressure.

Then, at last. We complete an article, story, or blogpost and in our humble opinion, the finished product is good. We are itching to click “submit” and get this fine piece of writing out into the world.

But wait. There’s one more thing we need to do, so with a groan, we hold back and click “save.”

Why?

The answer will be evident—tomorrow.

No matter how perfect our writing seems in the moment, after giving the words a few hours or days to marinate, needed changes will leap off the page.

And I do mean leap.

I will edit a manuscript ad nauseam, convinced it is submission-worthy, only to return days later and stare dumbfounded at overlooked mistakes. For crying out loud, did I really write “their” instead of “they’re” and use the same verb seven times? Mercy.

A tasty marinade propels an average piece of chicken from good to great—and the steeping process does the same with our writing. Engaging our work with fresh eyes and a clear head is like having superpowers: we have the ability to peer through the fog, locate problems, and brainstorm solutions.

We will see everything from typos and poor word choices to overall structural issues. And we will take great delight in the knowledge we didn’t hit “submit” prematurely.

Are we wasting time allowing a work-in-progress to sit for a couple of days? Absolutely not. We move on to other work. In fact, I love knowing I have a handful of projects out knocking on publication doors, a few marinating in various locations (a drawer, a friend’s computer, on a shelf, in the recesses of my brain), and others bubbling to life in a notebook of possibilities.

Are we ready? Write, wait…marinate. Then edit and send it packing!

Do you have a unique way to allow your work to marinate? What is the biggest issue your post-marinade superpower allowed you to see?

[bctt tweet=”Write, Wait…Marinate! #amwriting #A3″ username=”@A3forMe @lthomaswrites”]

Tags catching problems, catching typos, Create Motivate Inspire, editing, Leigh Ann Thomas, let writing marinate, wait before submitting, word choices, Write wait marinate

The Ministry of Writing

God Uses Your Writing in Your Writing Ministry

Post author By Jake McCandless - The Ministry of Writing
Post date April 21, 2016
3 Comments on God Uses Your Writing in Your Writing Ministry

The title of this post sounds ridiculous I know. I’m sure this article will get flagged by the A3 editors, but I did intend to make that seemingly redundant statement— God uses your writing in your writing ministry.

You may be finally convinced God has called you to minister through writing. You may be at the point that you are pursuing that call to write, but I am afraid you may still feel you need to be someone else when you write.

You know God has called you. You are being obedient, but you want to have the style of someone else or the talent of your writing hero. You may even feel God wants you to be that other person, but that is not true.

[bctt tweet=”God called you to have a writing ministry and He wants to use your very own writing.”]

There are many things that can be gained from reading the Bible in its original languages. One of the most valuable insights I have gained is the humanity of the authors. Now don’t for a minute let that diminish the divinity bond in the Bible’s pages, but God didn’t call His authors to be robots. In the midst of God-breathed text one can still find the personalities, the styles, the gifts, the talents, the skills, and vocabulary of those human authors.

All though there are many points in which this phenomena appears there are two passages that are my favorite.

The first passage which displays the humanity of the Bible’s authors is 2 Peter 3:15-16,

… as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.

Peter writes that the Apostle Paul’s writings are hard to understand. This is supported when Paul’s books are read in the Greek. Paul is very wordy and has long, long sentences. In a New Testament Greek class it will be a couple semesters in before Paul’s letters are studied. The beginner begins with John, Mark, Peter, or James — not Paul or Luke.

Interestingly, Paul and Luke would be the academics of the bunch.

My next favorite point of Scripture where the humanity of its authorship appears is John 20:4,

...Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first.

In this passage, John seems to make this footnote that tells that he ran faster than Peter. You would think an editor would have cut that passage out, but the Holy Spirit gave that very human note a green light.

Throughout the Old and New Testament each book bears the mark of the man who penned it. God used their writing for ministry. Peter didn’t have to write like Paul. Moses didn’t have to write like Samuel. James could be straightforward. Luke could be technical. Ezekiel could be unique. Zechariah could be out there. John could be simple. An older John could be grandfatherly. David could be poetic. Solomon could be wise and introspective. And you could be you.

God uses your writing for your writing ministry.

Tags Almost an Author, biblical writers, Christian writer, Christian writing, Create Motivate Inspire, inspiration

Create. Motivate. Inspire.

Write, Submit, Repeat

By all accounts, it was a productive year. Articles were accepted for publication. A book contract hung on my office bulletin board—front and center where I could draw motivation from the sight.

Several devotional collections accepted my submissions.

Then my husband sat down to wade through our tax returns and asked me for proof of how much I contributed to the household’s finances the previous year.

Not being a mathematician, I grabbed a scrap of paper and worked like a mad woman to add up the writing bounty…let’s see, add that, carry that number to this column, round up, no…round down…

The love of my life waited in quiet expectation for the grand total. “Um…well, it’s pretty much, uh… Wait. Let me add that column again…”

Sure enough, even with a busy writing year loaded with exciting news and opportunities, I barely made enough to take my sweetheart out to dinner.

Oh my goodness…what am I doing? When will I ever make enough to justify the time and effort?

Even with the promise of financial return on the horizon, it’s tough to keep writing and submitting without tangible payment.

But this is where we must dig in and persevere. The experts remind us: you are gaining experience, collecting clips, and building a platform. Keep writing!

If a magic formula exists, this is it: write, submit, and repeat.

The more we write, the better we become at forming and shaping ideas into words and sentences. We may not receive the green stuff for that newsletter article or VBS skit we labored over for hours, but we are glorifying our Lord by using the gifts He has given us.

With hard work and perseverance, the paying gigs will come.

Until then, keep writing!

Submission ideas: Church and associational newsletters, promo copy for special events at your children’s school or club, in-house feature articles on nursing home residents, obituary writing for families struggling to pull words together, letters to the editor, ad copy for local businesses (some of which could pay!)

[bctt tweet=”Write, Submit, Repeat!”]

Tags Create Motivate Inspire, getting paid, Leigh Ann Thomas, Write submit repeat, writing experience, writing for money

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5 Reasons NOT to Attend a Writing Conference

Post author By Leigh Ann Thomas
Post date March 14, 2016
2 Comments on 5 Reasons NOT to Attend a Writing Conference

Conference season is upon us and social media is abuzz with encouragement to click a sign-up link and submit a deposit.

So what’s all the hoopla about a conference for writers? Are these events worth the time/money/effort to attend?

I’m not so sure. After careful deliberation, here are 5 reasons to stay home:

You have plenty of writer friends and have no interest in meeting others.

Seriously. Within seconds of arrival, you would be amazed at the number of folks excited about putting pen to paper and eager to get to know you. And not just on the surface. They might ask what you like to write, what you dream of writing, what you hope to do with words, imagination, and hard work.

So, yeah. If sharing your writer-soul with other writerly-souls doesn’t appeal, then think twice about attending. Life-long friends can be such a nuisance.

You already, um…know enough writer stuff.

The conference will be packed with classes on everything from grammar and punctuation to character development and plot lines. Not to mention workshops on proposals, query letters, manuscript submission, where to find work, how to build a resume, and tips on formatting everything from movie scripts to picture books. Want to try a class outside your genre? You’ll have the opportunity to get a little crazy and go for it.

Unless, of course, you wrote the book(s) on the aforementioned. (Then you might be compelled to share your expertise with the rest of us…)

Hanging out with a faculty of accomplished writers and authors sounds like a bore.

Hmm. I guess it could be a tad dull. You know, hearing about their writing journeys, their struggles, and how hard work and dreaming big paid off. Drinking from the well of experience and soaking in encouragement from the pros could be overwhelming. And if you’re on the fence with your decision, do not daydream about sitting next to your favorite author during lunch and having an actual conversation. That would just be weird.

You have reached your affirmation quota.

This is a given. Unless you check into your room and hide under the bed, you will receive encouragement—from the experts and from your new friends (see #1).

Sorry. Just the way it is.

Attending a conference is expensive and time consuming.

This is true. There is cost involved. And sacrifice. Of course there are scholarships available, but you would have to apply. And there are smaller and shorter gatherings that cost less than the week-long events. Other options include: ask family and friends to invest in your dream through birthday and Christmas gifts, set aside a little dream-money each month, sell unused stuff on eBay, have a garage/yard sale, etc. (A cost/trouble/sacrifice analysis is recommended.)

In all seriousness, taking that step to attend a writing conference—especially for the first time—is huge. But you will NOT be alone. Grab a suitcase, pack your dreams and aspirations, dust off that manuscript (finished or not) and hit the trail.

The time is now!

Helpful links:

http://www.blueridgemountainschristianwritersconference.com/

http://www.almostanauthor.com/come-out-swinging-fighting-fear-as-a-writer/

http://www.almostanauthor.com/writers-conferences-main-thing/

http://www.almostanauthor.com/three-reasons-learn-share-writing/

http://www.vondaskelton.com/2016/02/16/writers-headlines-writing-opportunities-conferences-collected-just-for-you/

[bctt tweet=”5 Reasons NOT to Attend a Writing Conference”]

Tags 5 reasons not to attend a writing conference, cost and sacrifice, Create Motivate Inspire, Leigh Ann Thomas, reasons to attend a conference, writers and authors, Writers Conference, writing conference

Create. Motivate. Inspire.

Come Out Swinging: Fighting Fear as a Writer

Post author By Leigh Ann Thomas
Post date February 15, 2016
No Comments on Come Out Swinging: Fighting Fear as a Writer

The writer’s life is not for the faint of heart. There are moments that are downright scary.

That first writer’s conference, critiques, contest entries, appointments with an editor/publisher, the blank page—all potentially terrifying.

If you’re like me, you’ve wasted precious writing time paralyzed by fears and insecurities. But enough is enough. Here are three ways to face our fears head-on:

1—Fight with prayer and the Word of God

Someone once told me: Don’t use the Lord, grow in Him. I took the advice to heart and over the years I realized that my writing flows out of my relationship to God. When my heart is not in tune with His or I’m running from His plans, the words become hollow.

When we are in steady communion with the One who created us—seeking His heart and purposes—we are compelled to use our gifts as an offering. And what joy, to feel His pleasure when putting pen to paper (or fingers to the keyboard).

2—Fight with hard work

Nike may have trademarked the phrase, Just Do It, but they didn’t corner the market on good ‘ole hard work. We must sit down and apply pressure to the little keys with letters on them. We must string the letters together to form words and sentences. It takes time. It’s rarely comfortable.

But the adrenaline rush after a completed page? Pure joy.

3—Fight with a humble heart

We are not the greatest writers who ever lived. The world doesn’t wait with baited breath to hear from us—Oh, if only she/he would put pen to paper, our lives would be complete…

But…God is waiting to see if we will use our gifts and abilities for His glory. We are accountable to Him for how we spend our time and resources.

Also, we cannot survive on a writing-island. We need other writers. We learn and grow through how God is working in the lives of others.

A quick way to check our writer’s pulse: Are we excited when others succeed or do we resent their progress?

Being an encouragement to other writers is a great way to feed our own souls.

Overcoming fear as we put pen to paper is a daily battle—but with God’s help, the victory is ours!

How do you fight fear in your writing life?

[bctt tweet=”Are we excited when others succeed or do we resent their progress?”]

[bctt tweet=”How do you fight fear in your writing life?”]

Tags come out swinging, Create Motivate Inspire, fighting fear as a writer, hard work as a writer, Joy of Writing, Leigh Ann Thomas, writer's pulse