I've had an opportunity to share some of my writing journey with a writer's group at my church. The following is the handout I created for the class. I pray it will be helpful to you as well.

R.S.V.P.

I pray the name of Jesus over you

Like a banner waving

Victory and joy ~ From Canyon Road, A Book Of Prayer by Kari Kristina Reeves

As I was preparing this teaching, I realized the first letters of the components I wanted to highlight contained the French expression, Répondez s’il vous plait. This translates, “Please respond,” or “Reply if it pleases you.” I believe as writers, this could be the invitation the Lord asks us to consider. “I’ve invited you to write, use the gifting and talent I’ve supplied to you, anointed you with. Please respond. I’d love to see you at the word festival.”

The following are ideas to keep in mind as you respond to His invitation:

READ

Reading often partners well with writing.

What do you enjoy reading?  What is your writing genre?  How do the two intertwine for you?

I find that if my reading slows down, I risk leaving new worlds that enhance my writing.

Keep your writing fresh by reading a genre you don’t usually prefer. What might you learn, and how might this influence your writing style?

Schedule a classic every now and then. Something, perhaps, you’ve wanted to read but just haven’t gotten to.

SAFETY

As writers, we often become excited about sharing a piece we’ve written, much like a chef may desire a person to enjoy her culinary expression. Sometimes, however, even the individuals we believe will most enjoy our writing may not.  A disappointing or critical reaction has potential to derail projects. One day as I took a walk, I noted a neighbor had dumped pens and beautiful journals, watercolors and brushes in a heap by his trash can. I felt sad and wondered if this person had received negative or toxic comments about pursuing art. As you move forward, pray about who might be safe to share your projects with. Of course, you’re not looking for, “Oh, this is so great! Don’t change a thing. You’re a genius!” You want people to read your work who will concurrently honor your vulnerability and provide honest feedback. When the Lord leads you to these people, you will have discovered treasure and increased motivation to keep writing.

How have you managed negative responses to your writing? If you’ve experienced a dip in motivation, what might you need to increase your confidence and pick up your pen once again?

VOICE                           

There’s a lot of talk about “finding your writing voice.” That can be overwhelming to define; however, I don’t believe God wants it to be. The Lord creates our hearts to tune in to unique ideas and issues. I encourage you to anchor into what YOU notice. What creates excitement, what images, colors, locations, people, animals, periods in history, characters, authors you love inspire you? What is the Lord downloading in your dreams in your journaling, in your imagination?  In the Word? The sky is the limit as God is the impeccable Master Creator. He designed us to create and so enjoys the collaboration with His beloved. He created you and your heart and your desires. Move toward those things and your voice emerges beautifully. And the reader needs your unique voice. No one else sounds like you. Think of this: an author you truly love publishes a new book—you can’t wait to read it, because you know her voice. You recognize that sound. If the world does not hear your voice, a gem of healing remains buried. Your voice is a healing vessel to the world.

If your writing was a soundtrack, what melody or artist would it most resemble?

PRACTICE

A lot of “shoulds” and “musts” can clutter our desks as it regards doing the writing. “You must write a thousand words a day.” “You should journal every day.” “You absolutely must have a specific location in which to write.”  “There’s no way you can write a book and keep working a full-time job.” These “shoulds” and “musts,” “what ifs” and “comparisons to other writers” are all tools of the enemy to deter us from picking up the pen. Think of it like this: if we are developing a craft, we practice using the tools that keep us nimble and well-oiled. Like practicing musical scales. We do that consistently. We find a schedule that keeps us practicing regularly. And while we may draw ideas from others, consistency will look different for everyone. Sometimes, too, we may need to experiment with what works best. And at different seasons in life, our practice sessions may look different. The point is to keep responding to our Lord’s gracious invitation to write.

What does practice look like for you, dear writer?

ENCOURAGEMENT FOR THE JOURNEY (From a practice session)

It takes bravery to keep moving forward inside the writing landscape, though I’d never turn back. The topography can be bleak at times. Yet there are realms of beauty that often cause me to suck in my breath. Wondrous sights. Vaulted blue ceilings of sky, the sight of an open road that inspires the loveliness of solitude. And when loneliness invades, there is birdsong or a dark V-shape of geese flying overhead. A stand of trees or a bench situated by a lake. Pinpricks of stars glowing on a chilled evening at dusk. A crescent moon. Sometimes a fellow traveler, a backpack filled with images and words and ideas we share over a campfire together, singing songs we know by heart. Then parting ways, we each take our separate paths. A bear hug, that sweet embrace of someone who sees what’s hard and simultaneously understands it’s worth all the time spent in pursuit of writing things down.

So, keep going. Take courage. I’ll see you on the other side where all our books and words and images are stored and redeemed in the Kingdom Library. God’s grace and peace to you.

RESOURCES YOU MAY FIND HELPFUL (in no particular order)

The Right to Write, An Invitation and Initiation into the Writing Life by Julia Cameron (has great writing prompts)

The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron (Excellent 12-week study to help develop consistency)

Refuse To be Done, How to Write and Rewrite a Novel in Three Drafts by Matt Bell (Encouraging, doable, practical)

The Emotion Thesaurus, A Writer’s Guide to Character Expression (Love this one, especially, as I sometimes tend to overuse descriptive emotions and gestures for my characters)

Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott (funny, will make you cry, inspiring and also practical , she sometimes uses salty language)

How To Write An Eye-Catching Book Proposal In 5 Easy Steps, The Beginner’s Guide to Getting Your Idea into Print by Jennifer Scott (Helpful, straight forward directives)

Several Short Sentences About Writing by Verlyn Klinkenborg (Favorite book about developing one’s writing craft)

4 Keys to Hearing God’s Voice by Mark and Patti Virkler (This is a School of the Heart selection—transformed my journaling practice)

The Art of Spiritual Writing by Vinita Hampton Wright (rather a stern voice, yet realistic regarding publishing goals)

Do you have the courage to bring forth this work? The treasures that are hidden inside you are hoping you will say “yes.” ~ Jack Gilbert