The Why to keep writing
The writing prompt for March has been a brain scratcher for me, but I finally settled on how to respond. After being a contributor to our blog for ten years, I have received a lot of encouragement from our group. Welcome advice and counsel from more experienced writers have also accompanied this encouragement. The title of this blog post might seem simple to many of you, but it summarizes my response to our prompt.
We, as writers, receive the words, “keep writing,” as an encouragement to persevere in the craft we all love. We can never underestimate our love for the written word. This love is a powerful motivation for us to continue developing our writing skills.
My personal response to the Why
Lord willing, I hope not only to keep writing, but to write well. I pray the words I write will outlast my life here on earth. With the years seeming to pass at a quick pace, I realize there will be a year that will be my final one on earth.
The past year, and into 2026, has challenged me with health conditions in no hurry to end soon. My writing energy has suffered as well. Concentration to keep writing is now a daily challenge. This is where perseverance becomes part of my writing endeavours.
I keep writing as part of who I am, the way God created me to be. Indeed, I am not everyone’s go-to guy for such things as writing advice. In fact, I shy away from giving advice most times. I would rather listen to a person hoping to help them come to their own decisions.
I keep writing to offer hope to people, and perhaps this is a strength of my words. As writers, we don’t have to go far to find people in need of hope. I write to let them know they matter. I hope to assure people someone cares for them. Hope to remind them God loves them, as do I; therefore, I keep writing. There is no reason to stop.
I keep writing with words wrapped in prayer. This is pleasing to God. He loves us to pray for each other. InScribe Christian Writers' Fellowship has a special place in my life; therefore, I pray our ministry together makes the world a better place. I conclude with a prayer I wrote in a previous post for those who are serious writers and InScribe in particular.
Bless our words, O Lord,
as they make their way into the world.
Help them touch hearts,
Heal minds,
Blanket souls in eternal love.
Allow our words, O Lord,
To speak long after we have gone to our blessed hope.
May they live as seeds of Your love.
Alan lives in a small village called Deroche, British Columbia, with his wife, Terry, and their poodle, Charlie. He enjoys walking on the dike near his home, with trees all around and where he finds inspiration to write. He has occasionally written articles for FellowScript Magazine and is a regular contributor to the InScribe Christian Writers’ Fellowship blog. Alan’s website and blog is https://scarredjoy.ca. He also writes on Substack.
These are wonderful words to encourage any writer, Alan. I especially love the three paragraphs beginning with I keep writing "as part of who I am," "to offer hope to people," and "with words wrapped in prayer." Those make a lovely trio of advice! Blessings on you as you persevere in your writing despite the current challenges you are facing. May God be your strength and guide each day.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comments, Lorrie! Yes, indeed, God is my strength. He is so faithful to us.
DeleteGreat post, Alan. Love your “words wrapped in prayer”and especially “I keep writing as part of who I am, the way God created me to be.” Indeed. How can you keep from writing? Your paragraph on hope resonated with me deeply. What a gift from God to write to offer even a glimmer of hope to the multitude of hurting hearts, or even to touch just one. Thank you, my friend.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sharon! You understand my words well. :) Blessings to you and your family.
DeleteThanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHealth issues have dogged our family this past year including our animals, making my writing hiccup along.
I’m thankful for my Substack account on which I aim to post a poem per week.
Blessings to you, Linda. I'll look you up on Substack. I am a recent fan of Substack as well.
DeleteLinda, what is your Substack name?
DeleteAmen Alan, well said. Prayers for your healing and your wife's 🙏
ReplyDeleteThank you for your prayers, Elizabeth. :) You are in my prayers as well. :)
DeleteDear Alan, I loved your post. I admire how clear your focus is. No matter what's going on in your life--health issues now--you remain steadfast and faithful to your writing calling. Your example challenges me. My favourite line today is what you said about our fellowship: "InScribe Christian Writers' Fellowship has a special place in my life; therefore, I pray our ministry together makes the world a better place." Amen to that... thank you!
ReplyDeleteHi Brenda! We are in this life together and can form genuine bonds even separated by distance. :) Thank you so much for your encouragement. Blessings to you and your family.
DeleteThanks Alan for your beautiful post! Yes, people need hope and when our words are wrapped in prayer like you said, they will find their way to those in need! Keep writing is good advice because sometimes we feel like giving up! Prayers for strength and healing!
ReplyDeleteDear Mary, thank you for your encouragement. To give up is not an option when our words can't wait to give people hope. :) Thank you so much for your prayers. :)
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