April 03, 2014

How Does My Writing Impact My Readers? by Janis Cox



Thanks to FreeDigitalPhotos.Net by imagerymajestic


Frederick Buechner said:

I wish that I had told my writing students to give some thought to what they wanted their books to make happen inside the people who read them.
So far I have one published book - a children's book called Tadeo Turtle. Definitely the book has a purpose - to teach children and parent and grandparents that each one of them is special in God's eyes.

This is also the theme of my blog, He Cares for You. Because I truly want people to believe what the Bible tells us:

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you (1 Peter 5:7, NIV).
I have discovered that the more I read the Bible the more I start to understand the mind of Christ. And that is a good thing. Because I believe I am to "feed His lambs".

 I can't feed them unless I have been fed by Him.


All the writing I do starts with my learning it first from the Bible. Then I can share what I have learned. In my fiction books there is a lesson to be learned. So the characters are like me working their way through their lives and being taught by God through all their interactions.

Starting next week I am taking a blogging holiday for a month. I need that time to reassess where God wants me to spend my time. I plan to be out in my community watching and seeing where God is working and then following Him. I plan to spend more time in study and prayer. I plan to see my family as we are returning from our winter home (we are snowbirds).

I am excited. I have more energy in the past few days just getting last minute things figured out. God has been faithful in giving me lots of fodder to work with.

I love writing and I don't want to stop. But I am willing to stop if that is what I hear from God in the next 4 weeks. I want to be sure that this is the path He wants for me.

I would ask that you pray for me during this time of renewal.

I have written on this subject at Under the Cover of Prayer.

Am I Spinning My Wheels?

Is God Working Through Me?

So yes I am thinking about what I am learning and what I want my readers to learn as well.


Tweetables:


What do you want your books/writings to make happen inside your readers? (tweet this)

How does my writing impact my readers? (tweet this)


Janis Cox - Author and Illustrator
Janis Cox, a retired school teacher and small business owner, found a new passion in writing in her retirement. A writer since 2003, Janis co-ordinates a group blog called Under the Cover of Prayer. She is also a contributor to a group blog called Family and Faith Matters.
Janis is the author of the award winning children’s book, Tadeo Turtle, published by Word Alive Press. She is the author and watercolour illustrator. For more information visit Janis on her website He Cares for You. She is a member of The Word Guild and Inscribe Writers Fellowship.





14 comments:

  1. Here is wishing you a happy and safe travel as you return little snowbird. My prayers are with you and may you listen closely to what God has to tell you.

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  2. Yes, God really does care for you and so do Christ and the Holy Spirit. Even when we sin, their reaction isn't to blast us but to make us aware of the peril we're heading into. It's like when Bambi wanted to dash into the meadow without checking for danger. His mom jumped in front of him so he wouldn't blunder into danger. So it is with us. Our heavenly Father sometimes has to jump in front of us to get us to stop and think. He isn't being mean but loving.

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  3. Bruce, I love your Bambi example. Those of us from that age of movies totally get it!

    Jan, I find a parallel with you. I, too, have stopped writing, it seems. My focus for a couple of weeks has been on digging into the word (Isaiah, for goodness sake!), and prayer for our fellow Word Warriors.

    Interestingly, it appears that a number of areas of my writing are coalescing into things I hadn't expected, all of their own (or God's?) accord.

    I pray for your time of seeking God and revelling in the world around you. May this time of focused peace draw you closer to your Jesus in ways you could never have imagined! Amen.

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  4. Thanks for this thoughtful blog, Janis. In the midst of downsizing, potential sale of our house, etc., I too need pause to reflect and pray about my future journey.

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  5. Oh Janis! this is so true. We can't expect to feed or lead others if we are empty ourselves.

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  6. Hi Janis,

    Thanks for the peek into your heart and life at this particular place in your writing journey.

    I know He watches over you and so I am confident He will guide your steps safely back home.

    And, I pray for protection of that place where you sense your need to come away awhile to watch and listen. What fun it will be to spend this particular time with Him to catch the beat of His heart in this season for you.

    Many blessings, Jan!

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  7. To all,
    I am sitting here laughing to myself. I didn't even remember that I posted this article for yesterday. It just came into my inbox. Too funny.

    Thank you for your warm words and encouragement. As I soak up His Word I will pray for filling.

    And I know that God shows me if I take the wrong steps. He has encouraged me to take this step for renewal and realignment. At the moment I am in the middle of a Lenten study of reading through the New Testament in 40 days. Enlightening.

    I love writing - but need to know if this is where He wants me to be.

    May we continue to encourage each other. To not lose hope. To follow Jesus completely.

    Blessings to my friends,
    Janis

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  8. Great post! Thanks for stopping by my blog the other day, and I hope your April is absolutely wonderful. :)

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  9. And when the passion is of God, He will show you exactly where He wants you to go and what He wants you to do. Good for you for taking some deep breaths and getting quiet so that you can pursue God's intention for your next step. Safe travels.

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  10. Yes, what a great reminder of what the Source of our writing needs to be. Thanks for this, Janis.

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  11. Janis,
    May God meet you in such a real, explosive way that you won't be able to remain silent after your blogging holiday. God is SO GOOD!

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  12. Thanks everyone,
    As the date comes closer I am getting more excited to see what God is going to show me. Between reading the NT in 40 days, taking a Bible study on Being a Follower not a Fan (Kyle Idleman), and praying the Prayer of Jabez - I am ready to be on fire.

    May everyone be able to take some time to refresh daily. We need His strength to be able to do His Work.

    Blessings,
    Janis

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  13. My heart always does this funny little leap when I read your writing, Janis, because I too feel that we need to be at the Table if we want to share nourishment with others. Thinking of you and praying for your journey this month that God will fill you to overflowing with His Bread, His joy and peace. I know it will overflow somewhere, right where He intends!

    Pam Mytroen

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  14. Thanks Pam
    Middle of my time away. So many doors? Which to choose? I know I need to focus.
    Blessings
    Janis

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