Valuable Writing Resources by Sandi Somers

What are valuable resources you have discovered for your writing? This month our bloggers will tell us about their favourites.

A Noble Theme

“My heart is stirred by a noble theme…my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer (Psalm 45:1 NIV).

When I first planned this topic, I focused on books and magazine articles. However, as I outlined this blog, I began thinking outside the box, and my spirit took wings to new ideas.  I will, however, begin with books and magazines.  

Books on writing: Every so often I need to read books on creativity and writing. My recent forays have included If You Want to Write, by Brenda Ueland.  She wrote that writing is not a waste of time. “…every sentence you write, you have learned something…It has stretched your understanding.” Robert Benson, in his book, Dancing on the Head of a Pen: The Practice of a Writing Life, wrote how he learned to write to a “jury of 12”—writing to twelve strategic people he loved, who would benefit from his books and articles, and who wanted to hear—really hear—what he had to say.

Magazines on writing: My regulars are FellowScript, Writer’s Digest and The Writer. Lots of great ideas!!

Recreational reading books: It has been said that before we're writers, we're readers. Over the years I have absorbed good writing styles, creative plots, creative sentences, uplifting and inspiring ideas.

My Journals: have often given me an effortless  first draft of a devotional or article.

Blogs include: Our InScribe blogs, both group and individual writers’ blogs. Then there’s Anita Matthias’ Dreaming Beneath the Spires blog and FB page https://www.facebook.com/anitamathiaswriter/  and Rochelle Melander’s,Write Now Coach! Blog, packed full of writing ideas and motivational helps: http://writenowcoach.com/blog/

Library and the internet: In pre-internet days I searched the library for my research. Or I phoned the reference librarians who usually found an answer to my questions. Now, however, with several clicks of my keyboard, I can access all the information I want on a topic—and more!

Courses include Marcia Laycock's course on writing devotionals, and courses from Creative Nonfiction https://www.creativenonfiction.org/online-classes.The discipline of regular assignments and expert feedback have helped to grow my skills.

Scripture: Personal time with the Lord has brought meaning and guidance to my life and writing. A useful tool when searching for different translations, commentaries and sermons, and even translations in different languages is the website http://biblehub.com.

The Holy Spirit: I will have more to write about the Holy Spirit's role in next month's blog. But for now, I will say that He inspires me with guidance, ideas and strategies.

Family members, friends and my former students, and InScribe provide unending encouragement and a source for devotionals and essays. 

My travels, artist’s dates and everyday moments round out several of my strategic resources.   

Now over to you. Who are the people, ideas, and sources that inspire you?

How Do You Review your Writing Goals? By Sandi Somers

Do you review your yearly goals throughout the year? If so, how often? What is your process like? If you don’t review your goals, what would be the challenges and benefits you could derive from doing so? Tell us about your process.

“A View from the Balcony”

This morning I’m basking in the sunlight on the porch of my next-door neighbours’ house, notebook and coffee with me. My neighbours have asked me to house-watch while they’re on vacation, and this morning I’m finishing my goals review and writing this blog.

 View From The Front Porch Next Door

I often review my writing goals every six weeks or so while outside the city. In the wide view of the parkland and mountains beyond, I’m enveloped in God’s creation. My head clears as I gain a new perspective on life and writing.

Last summer I discovered a wonderful set of questions to guide my review process. Rochelle Melander advocated getting away from your usual space—to a balcony, as it were—to rethink your goals. (Check the link.) Her questions were as revealing as they were thorough.

As a result, I’ve developed better action plans. Part of the plan was to break down goals into three-month or even one-month segments.  It worked! I couldn’t believe how much doing so focused me on the immediate and realistic priorities and tasks.

I’ve also begun to interweave a spiritual component with goal setting. This summer as I reset my goals, I prayed for God’s grace, insight and wisdom.

Insight came from our pastor’s sermon on Ruth and Orpah, the two young widows faced with a choice: they could walk into an unknown future in Israel with their mother-in-law Naomi, or they could return to their native Moab (Ruth 1:1-18).

Orpah chose to return to Moab and to her gods—she played it safe and lost so much of God’s potential for her.

But Ruth, drawn to Naomi and Naomi’s God, dared to believe that He could do great things.

Decisions

And without knowing her place in history, Ruth became the great-grandmother of King David, and Jesus’ ancestress.

         

 In reviewing my notes from that sermon, I came across these profound quotes:

“It takes faith to walk in a new direction. A bold choice." 

"When you honour God with your decisions, He honours you.”

“Pay attention to His tugs—His promptings.”

“Bold decisions impact our faith. God wants you to risk boldly.”

“Believe God can do great things!”

“Step out from the familiar and attempt something daring.”

 God is challenging me to be a Ruth and step into God’s greater plans. As a result, I've asked Him to:

·        Do something to bring the greatest glory to Himself.

·        Confirm me in the next stage of His greater plans.

·        Bring people into my life at the right time to implement components of those plans.

·        Fill me with His words: to exalt Jesus and to impact people in my generation and in the next.

 “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him” (Philippians 2:13, NLT).

“Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God.” 

William Carey

“It always seems impossible until it's done.” Nelson Mandela