Spaces - Tangible and Internal - Take Two by Valerie Ronald

Back in 2024, when our blog prompt was a letter of the alphabet for each month, I wrote this post for the letter S. This is a repeat of that post because my favourite space to write is still my old rolltop desk. It is the birthplace of my first book, soon to be published, so I’ve spent many hours here lately.

When my mother left me a gift of money in her will, the first purchase I made with it was an oak rolltop desk, something I knew she would want me to own. From the time I showed an interest as a child until her passing, she encouraged and supported my desire to write. Whenever I roll up the cover on my desk, I feel her loving presence. 

The handsome old desk stands in an alcove, its worn wood interior smoky with thousands of words forged in the fires of my imagination, meditations and experiences. To me it is not just a desk, it is a sacred space where, as I practice my craft, I feel the Holy Spirit flow through me. I keep a scented candle burning nearby when I write, to remind me it is not by might, nor by power, but by His Spirit I am given the words He may possibly use to draw others to Himself. 

There are other spaces where I sometimes write, however, this desk is where creativity happens most often. It contains tools like my laptop, dictionaries, writing books, pens and sticky notes. Its cubbyholes and drawers are messy and cluttered with the debris of a busy mind. I like it that way. Then there are treasures which motivate me, like a stuffed frog with its acronym attached on a label˗˗˗Fully Rely On God, or a trinket box embellished with a porcelain fountain pen. Above my desk hangs a painting by my daughter, of a woman’s hands holding an open book. 

Every writer has a favourite space to write, whether at the kitchen table, in a private study, at a cafe or outside in a garden. Our space where we write is important to us. I find it interesting to see photos of the writing spaces of well-known authors. When in Paris, I visited an English bookstore where Ernest Hemingway used to write. His desk, typewriter, and some of his books were still there, tucked away in a quiet corner of the shop. It was inspiring to be where some of his great works were created. 

Physical space for writing is important, but not as key as mental space. Nowadays the time and energy required to function in our culture is often not conducive to a writer’s need for mental space. Creating mental space for writing to thrive is about giving the mind the chance to clear and reset, while also letting the subconscious get to work in the background. When I am asked to describe my writing process, I say that most of the work goes on in my mind before I actually get down to writing. 

The best of ideas and problem-solving occur when I am doing some simple activity not requiring deep focus, like cooking, going for a walk, or gardening. When it feels as though I am thinking about nothing, I am giving myself mental space, so my subconscious has free rein. The key is to find something that takes my mind off of my work in progress, so it has a chance to grow organically. Daydreaming is an absolute necessity in my life as a writer, providing a mental space where ideas can percolate in my subconscious while I focus on a simpler activity. 

We are fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of God, whose creativity is beyond understanding. He created us to be writers, so He knows what we need to write˗˗˗both tangible and internal spaces where, prompted by His Spirit, our words create worlds inspired by Him.

Valerie Ronald writes from an old roll top desk in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, with her tortoiseshell cat for a muse. A graduate of Langara College School of Journalism, she writes devotionals, fiction and inspirational prose. Her purpose in writing is to encourage others to grow in their spiritual walk. 

 

My Path to Revision by Sandi Somers

 

In this month’s prompt, Lorrie Orr asked us to write about our revising and editing process. Her prompt has given me a lot of thought. I’ve written on revising, but don't think I've ever written a “how I write” article. It’s a new sub-genre for me.

Formulating a work. I usually start with a personal story that leads into a reflection. I first ask the Lord for clear and integrated ideas. The more clarity I have, the easier the revision process becomes.

However, if my ideas aren't solidified or are scattered, revision turns out to be more complex. For this post, it was difficult to discover that entry point, and it took several tries to find one.

Discovering the structure. Structuring doesn’t always come easy for me. I relate to what Annie Dillard wrote in The Writing Life:

“A work in progress quickly becomes feral. It reverts to a wild state overnight…It is a lion you cage in your study. As the work grows, it gets harder to control; it is a lion growing in strength. You must visit it every day and reassert your mastery over it.”

One key I’ve learned is that each piece of writing is unique, needing to be organized and developed according to its purpose and meaning. I often follow the wisdom of the Estonian Proverb, “The work will teach you how to do it.” I learn as I go along.

What does this developmental process entail? Cutting away extraneous ideas. Filling in black holes. Rearranging sequence to make it flow. Sharpening the intro. Clarifying ideas. Discovering a satisfying, uplifting conclusion.

Refining. Once I have the basic structure sorted out, I can better visualize the whole article. I know I’m well on my way to polishing it. However, every revision needs several reworkings. I write and revise, write and revise. I’m no different from other writers. It has been said that Billy Graham revised his sermons up to twelve times. Ernest Hemingway once said that he revised the ending of one of his books 39 times. Someone asked him why. “To get the words right,” he answered.

Refining means reshaping my thoughts, adding the five senses to make it come alive, reworking sentences, and developing insights that add depth and meaning (and for me, attacking my nemesis—repeating the same words). Fact checking is necessary where needed. Setting it aside for a few days or weeks, if possible, brings a new freshness to my words. Throughout the whole process, I’ve started using my “Read aloud” link to smooth over unexpected ruts.

Finishing. Vaclav Havel, the once-playwright who became president of the Czech Republic, summarized the revision process beautifully:

... how to make it more precise, what to add, how to balance it, how to enrich it, and how to give it greater stylistic elegance.

Coming to the place where an item “sings” gives me great joy. Then pressing “Send” is, as one writer said, like delivering a baby. The work is finished. My prayers go out to my future readers.

Relying on the Lord’s guidance. I’ve often thought of how some authors say they saturate their writing with prayers. This post has brought to the fore how much more I need to ask the Lord for specific guidance at each step, for each day’s tasks. His structure. His refinement. His message to my readers. He is faithful and will do it.

Sandi Somers writes mostly nonfiction—essays, devotions, and inspirational articles. Her purpose is to encourage and inspire her readers to become devoted followers of Jesus. She writes from her home in Calgary.

Spaces -- Tangible and Internal ~ Valerie Ronald

When my mother left me a gift of money in her will, the first purchase I made with it was an oak rolltop desk, something I knew she would want me to own. From the time I showed an interest as a child until her passing, she encouraged and supported my desire to write. Whenever I roll up the cover on my desk, I feel her loving presence.

The handsome old desk stands in an alcove, its worn wood interior smoky with thousands of words forged in the fires of my imagination, meditations and experiences. To me it is not just a desk, it is a sacred space where, as I practice my craft, the Holy Spirit flows through me like at no other time. I keep a scented candle burning nearby when I write, to remind me it is not by might, nor by power, but by His Spirit*  I am given the words He may possibly use to draw others to Himself.

There are other spaces where I sometimes write, however, this desk is where creativity happens most often. It contains tools like my laptop, dictionaries, writing books, pens and sticky notes. Its cubbyholes and drawers are messy and cluttered with the debris of a busy mind. I like it that way. Then there are treasures which motivate me, like a stuffed frog with its acronym attached on a label˗˗ Fully Rely On God, or a trinket box embellished with a porcelain fountain pen. Above my desk hangs a painting by my daughter, of a woman’s hands holding an open book.

Every writer has a favorite space to write, whether at the kitchen table, in a private study, at a cafe or outside in a garden. Our space where we write is important to us. I find it interesting to see photos of the writing spaces of well-known authors. When in Paris, I visited an English bookstore where Ernest Hemingway used to write. His desk, typewriter and some of his books were still there, tucked away in a quiet corner of the shop. It was inspiring to be where some of his great works were created.

 

Physical space for writing is important, but not as key as mental space. Nowadays the time and energy required to function in our culture is often not conducive to a writer’s need for mental space. Creating mental space for writing to thrive is about giving the mind the chance to clear and reset, while also letting the subconscious get to work in the background. When I am asked to describe my writing process, I say that most of the work goes on in my mind before I actually get down to writing.

The best of ideas and problem-solving occur when I am doing some simple activity not requiring deep focus, like cooking, going for a walk, or painting. When it feels as though I am thinking about nothing, I am giving myself mental space so my subconscious has free rein. The key is to find something that takes my mind off of my work in progress so it has a chance to grow organically. Daydreaming is an absolute necessity in my life as a writer, providing a mental space where ideas can percolate in my subconscious while I focus on a simpler activity.  

We are fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of God, whose creativity is beyond understanding. He created us to be writers, so He knows what we need to write ˗˗ both tangible and internal spaces where, prompted by His Spirit, our words create worlds inspired by Him. 

* Zech. 4:6 NIV

 Valerie Ronald writes from an old roll top desk in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, with her tortoiseshell cat for a muse. A graduate of Langara College School of Journalism, she writes devotionals, fiction and inspirational prose. Her purpose in writing is to encourage others to grow in their spiritual walk

 

I’ve Been on Both Sides Now by Nina Faye Morey

The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint,

And whoever has understanding is even-tempered.

~ Proverbs 17:27 (NIV)

There have always been writers and artists who have channeled their pain and suffering into great works of art. But I don’t think that many creative people would go so far as to identify themselves with the romantic myth of the “tortured artist” that’s followed such famous writers as Sylvia Plath, Virginia Woolf, or Ernest Hemingway, who tragically took their own lives.

Nevertheless, I can certainly understand how criticism that seems undeserved or unduly harsh could make any creative person feel hurt or even depressed. Fortunately, I haven’t been on the receiving end of that brand of criticism, but it’s not hard to imagine how it could be soul destroying and might at least momentarily affect one’s sanity.

As a writer, I have found that it’s absolutely essential to develop a thick skin if one is to accept and benefit from the negative feedback and numerous rejections that are our inevitable and undesirable lot in life. While unnecessarily negative criticism may destroy our motivation, constructive criticism can be good—it helps us grow. On the other hand, too much praise can also be destructive, leaving us prideful, complacent, and unmotivated to improve.

As a writer and an editor, I’ve been on both sides now. As a writer, it leaves a less bitter taste in my mouth when the remedy for any ailment is delivered with a spoonful of sugar. I try to remember that as an editor, but I confess that sometimes I fail to properly follow this prescription, especially when a deadline is looming.

I have learned that editing someone else’s work requires a lot of time and effort, and so does providing thoughtful and tactful feedback. We editors do care about your writing, and we want you to succeed. While my goal as an editor is to provide constructive feedback that will help you improve your writing and publish the best piece possible, it’s important to remember that you don’t need to accept every change that’s suggested. In the end, the writer makes the final decision about what they will say and how they will say it; the editor makes the final decision about whether or not they will publish it.

Never allow yourself to feel so hurt and insulted by what you perceive as negative criticism that you fail to place any value on it or learn from it. There is always room to improve your writing, so accept with a positive spirit whatever value you can glean from the critiques you’re offered. In the end, remember that all criticism is just someone else’s opinion of your work, and you’ll need to decide for yourself whether or not it is valid.

Take heart in the knowledge that many writers have gone on to become successful and famous authors after receiving negative feedback about their writing from editors or having their books rejected by prestigious publishers. Ernest Hemingway received this rejection from his publisher, Boni & Liveright, for his first long work, The Torrents of Spring, a satirical novella about pretentious writers: “It would be in extremely rotten taste, to say nothing of being horribly cruel, should we want to publish it.” Zane Grey, famous for his westerns and one of the first millionaire authors, suffered this stinging rejection of his first novel, The Last of the Plainsmen: “I do not see anything in this to convince me you can write either narrative or fiction.” Rudyard Kipling was on the receiving end of this painful pronouncement from an unidentified editor: “I’m sorry, Mr. Kipling, but you just don’t know how to use the English language.”¹

So, the key takeaway is don’t let criticism of your writing get you down and never give up!

¹Flip Wiltgren, 12 Rejections Letters of Massively Popular Authors. https://www.wiltgren.com/everything-else/12-rejection-letters-of-massively-popular-authors/

What Are Your Summer Writing Challenges? by Sandi Somers

Ernest Hemingway said that when the weather got too hot in the summer, it was better to go fishing than to perspire at his desk trying to write.

Prompt: What is summer writing like for you? Do you ease off because of the heat and many other activities? Or do you have time off from your job in which to devote to your art? Or perhaps your summer writing is no different from any other season. How does God direct your writing during this time?

A New Strategy

In the past, my writing drops off in the summer months because I’m more active, with gardening, longer hikes/walks, travelling around Alberta more (if I’m not on a longer travel journey) and attending more family events. I’ve tended to spend more time journaling, while letting work on my specific projects be somewhat haphazard or irregular at best.

However, last month’s blog theme focused my thoughts in a new direction: “How could my writing please God this summer?”

As I prayed, God gave me a systematic strategy for these active months.

By providence, I came across a blog post by Lisa Dale Norton, a memoir writing instructor, who advised that during the summer, writers would do well by writing smaller pieces at a time: “write just scenes, and don’t worry about how they fit together yet.” She advocated listing scenes that are essential to your story, record on your calendar a realistic writing schedule, then show up at your computer or desk and write a scene.

“Each time you sit down, you look at the next scene on your list of moments that make up your story. You watch the moment play out in your mind as you remember it again. You transcribe what you see, feel, and hear onto the page--no matter how skeletal the shape...”

Her idea resonated with me. I could do this over the next weeks. I would, however, not schedule myself too hard and fast, as events come up that pre-empt writing.

I listed scenes or short vignettes in my ongoing project—about thirty pieces—each of which I could write in an hour. Some I have to write from the beginning, others need revising or expanding. As I complete the draft of one vignette, I know which one I need to work on next.

Already I’ve received benefits of God’s strategy for more systematic writing through summer; it’s giving me a sense of stability, order and focus. And this process is pleasing to God.

The Apostle John said it well, “And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight” (1 John 3:22 KJV).