Reflecting back / Looking ahead by Loretta Bouillon

In the spring of 2014, I joined Inscribe Christian Writer’s Fellowship. This group opened up a whole new level of writing for me as well as many exciting opportunities. I have tried my hand at contests, devotions, magazine articles, query letters, guest blogging as well as being asked to be a regular contributor to this blog.  I have also learned so much being a part of the chat group with Inscribe. I do not always participate in all the conversations but I read them and glean. The group has been wonderful answering any questions that I have had so far. I have met new writer friends (although not face to face…but I am hoping to next fall conference!) If you are a writer, published or not, I would highly recommend joining this group.

I attended Surrey International Writer’s Conference with my daughter (article featured on my own blog as well as in the February issue of Fellowscript magazine).  The networking experience as well as the information that we took away from the conference was invaluable.

2014 was a year of input overload and a very fast learning curve. Now that I have a little more understanding of the writing and publishing industry, I feel God slowing me down and realigning my focus. I don’t have to enter every contest that comes my way! Write that novel. Work on one project at a time. Develop my writing skills. Read that book and apply it to my daily life. Polish my skills. Practice, practice, practice. So this is what I will do.

Two resources that have come my way are ‘The Artist’s Way’ by Julia Cameron and  ‘The Writer’s Book of Days’ by Judy Reeves. I have begun reading both of them and this is what I am applying so far:

Morning Pages – You write three pages about anything you like. It is not to be edited (unless you want to later). Basically, you write to unclutter your mind so you clear the brain drain, to unblock and recover the artist in you. The pages are to be written longhand and not to be an artisitic attempt or written about anything in particular. Get all your worries and mind clutter onto the page. I realize that what I do with my journaling is much like this, only now I write without a “censor”; the critical part in me that is afraid someone might read it someday. I am quite enjoying the freedom of this process.

Artist’s Date – This is a two hour date with myself per week for twelve weeks to do something artistic/creative to develop my creative side. I have to say that I am not as successful with this task quite yet. I am working on it, though, and will save this experience for a future blogpost.

As I move forward into the New Year, I am doing so with a commitment to grow in my writing technically as well as really trying to hear God’s direction as to where it will take me. One day at a time. Like anything in my life, it is about trusting God. My “wake up prayer” every morning is this: “God, I give you my day. Please guide me and help me to be the best I can be at all You are asking me to do. Amen.”

“And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” Colossians 3:17 (NKJV)

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