Write What You Know
We've all heard the advice to "write what you know." However, that is only the jumping off point. As writers, we are also researchers, whether formally or informally. Every day we're discovering and observing new things that find their way into our writing.Should we write what we know? Yes.
Should we always be learning new things and incorporating them into our writing? Absolutely.
Write What You Love
If you're a journalist or a content creator, this may not be an option—at least not during your "working hours."
However, this is just one reason why those who write for a living often make time in the morning or evening to write what gets their mojo flowing, what's on their heart, what they love.
While there are countless factors that determine what we write, there is a sense of joy and expectation when the topic is near and dear to our heart.
However, this is just one reason why those who write for a living often make time in the morning or evening to write what gets their mojo flowing, what's on their heart, what they love.
While there are countless factors that determine what we write, there is a sense of joy and expectation when the topic is near and dear to our heart.
When Love is the Motivator
Imagine your ideal writing life.
Writing about a topic we're passionate about and getting our work into the hands of those who are equally passionate (or become so) can fill the proverbial well. (We all know that writing, even about things we love, can be draining.)
Further, writing about a topic we love in an environment that inspires and energizes us and earning a living from that writing . . . Does it get better than that?
Practically speaking, the ideal is rarely our reality, but love can still be our motivator.
As believers, the Lord is to be our First Love. Has He laid a message on our heart and provided a way to share that message with others? When we do so, we express our love for Him.
Are we able to provide for ourselves and our family doing what we love even if what we write about isn't our #1 passion? Creating our best work is a way to express love to our family and others who benefit from our efforts. It's also a way to obey Colossians 3:23-24, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving" (ESV), thereby expressing our love for the Lord as well.
Do we entertain, encourage, and/or educate others with our words? This is a way of expressing love.
Writing about a topic we're passionate about and getting our work into the hands of those who are equally passionate (or become so) can fill the proverbial well. (We all know that writing, even about things we love, can be draining.)
Further, writing about a topic we love in an environment that inspires and energizes us and earning a living from that writing . . . Does it get better than that?
Practically speaking, the ideal is rarely our reality, but love can still be our motivator.
As believers, the Lord is to be our First Love. Has He laid a message on our heart and provided a way to share that message with others? When we do so, we express our love for Him.
Are we able to provide for ourselves and our family doing what we love even if what we write about isn't our #1 passion? Creating our best work is a way to express love to our family and others who benefit from our efforts. It's also a way to obey Colossians 3:23-24, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving" (ESV), thereby expressing our love for the Lord as well.
Do we entertain, encourage, and/or educate others with our words? This is a way of expressing love.
The Power of Our Words
We should never underestimate the power of our words.
When life becomes too overwhelming, our fiction can provide a temporary reprieve.
When our readers are weighed down by life's challenges and heartaches, our encouraging words can lighten their load.
When they're seeking direction, our nonfiction can point them to the truth—as can our fiction.
As Christians, we know our readers need to know the One who is the Truth more than anything else. And we can share this Truth no matter what we write.
Is there anything more powerful, anything more loving, than sharing our words with others?
Steph Beth Nickel is the former Editor of FellowScript and the current InScribe Contest Coordinator. Steph is an editor and author and plans to relocate to Saskatchewan from Ontario to be close to family sometime after her husband retires in the spring of 2025. (Headshot Photo Credit: Jaime Mellor Photography)
When life becomes too overwhelming, our fiction can provide a temporary reprieve.
When our readers are weighed down by life's challenges and heartaches, our encouraging words can lighten their load.
When they're seeking direction, our nonfiction can point them to the truth—as can our fiction.
As Christians, we know our readers need to know the One who is the Truth more than anything else. And we can share this Truth no matter what we write.
Is there anything more powerful, anything more loving, than sharing our words with others?
Photo Credit: Heart Hearts Cord Hung - Free photo on Pixabay
Steph Beth Nickel is the former Editor of FellowScript and the current InScribe Contest Coordinator. Steph is an editor and author and plans to relocate to Saskatchewan from Ontario to be close to family sometime after her husband retires in the spring of 2025. (Headshot Photo Credit: Jaime Mellor Photography)
Thank you, Steph, for your words this morning. I am reminded of Canadian author Louise Penny who began writing mysteries because she wanted to write the kind of book she enjoyed reading.
ReplyDeleteWriting what we love, or even if we write in other genres, in agreement with our relationship with the Lord reflects our heart's integrity. I appreciate your words this morning.
What a wonderful post combining the heart with practicality and not just airy fairy feelings. I love it. I especially enjoyed these lines - “As believers, the Lord is to be our First Love. Has He laid a message on our heart and provided a way to share that message with others? When we do so, we express our love for Him.” WOW. Powerful stuff. Thank you.
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