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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