Do I Really Need Those Words? by Carol Harrison

  

Some of the best advice I have received came at the beginning of my writing journey. When I began writing, I soon got bogged down in trying to make the words flow. I finally became brave enough to share that first chapter with more seasoned writers.

One published author asked me if the memoir was for family or to go beyond to a wider audience. If it was meant to go to more readers than just family, she told me to cut this and this and this and start here. The chopped sentences could be woven in if I thought I really needed those words but at a later point in the manuscript.

After realizing I’d asked for help, I began a new word document, cutting extraneous sentences and began where the writer suggested. If I didn’t like the new start, I still had the first file to return to and see if I could muddle through. The story began to flow as I cut those sentences from it. I found I didn’t need them to reappear at a later point.

Later I took Marcia Laycock’s devotional writing online workshop. It taught me, among other things, to remove unnecessary words or even whole sentences to say what I meant in the least number of words. In one exercise she had us write a devotional and gave us 1500 words. But part B of the exercise was to cut it by half without taking away any meaning. Part C, should we choose to accept it, was to cut it in half again but still retain the full meaning. It meant asking myself, “Do I really need really need this word or that one?”

It taught me how to write tight. I’ve received that advice from others along my journey as a writer, sometimes at a workshop and at other times in one-on-one conversations with more experienced writers. I think the question, “Do I need these words?” is one we should ask ourselves often as writers. It helps us avoid being too wordy and slowing down the flow of the story.

Along with choosing our words carefully, we can also avoid filler words or words we overuse. Do I really need these words to add to the meaning of the piece or help the flow of the story? Maybe I do and maybe I don’t. It all depends on whether it enhances the piece or distracts the readers’ attention.

I think this is some of the very good advice I have received over the years in my writing journey. But I am still a work in progress at following it all the time.

 

Carol Harrison believes there is always more to learn about this craft of writing. But putting the advice into practice doesn't always go as smoothly as she wants it to. She writes from her home in Saskatoon, SK.

Written to Myself, by Lorrie Orr

 

This month's prompt is to write a letter to yourself. It can be difficult to know where to start. Here are a few suggestions whether you write to your younger or older self, or to yourself in the present.

1. Reflect on where you are in life and how you got there.

2. Express gratitude. Acknowledge both joys and sorrows.

3. Consider lessons learned and how they move you forward.

4. What are your dreams? How can they come to fruition?

5. Be gentle with yourself.

 

Hello there,

This morning, clouds are banked along the horizon, moving in fast from the west. There’s a bit of blue sky visible, but rain is in the forecast. Tonight, the full moon will shine over you, and stars will glimmer whether you can see them or not. How many more beautiful moons will sail over you? Only God knows, for your times are in his hand.

You’ve had an amazing life, and there’s more amazing ahead! You might be in the autumn of life number-wise, but spring’s tendrils of personal growth are not dependent on the physical world. They can grow anytime and anywhere they are given a little light and openness. Nurture them. Bask in the beauty of life.

Throughout life, you’ve waited for other people to validate you and that has held you back. With God’s guidance you can make decisions about your future and move ahead, trusting God to walk with you. Lean into the gentle rhythms of grace he offers.

You’re never too old to begin something new, and although it’s a steep curve, entering the book publishing world is something exciting. You’ve written all your life; letters, poems, stories, blog posts, and now it’s time to get that body of work out where people can read it and be encouraged by how God has worked in your life.

The future is unknown. There will be hard times ahead just as there were hard times in the past. God’s grace will hold and strengthen you no matter what. Be confident and step forward with a smile on your face.

And always remember, you are dearly loved.

Lorrie Orr writes to herself from her kitchen table by a window

overlooking her garden in Victoria, BC.

 

Encouragement Comes Full Circle by Dana-Lyn Phillips

 

Please welcome Dana-Lyn Phillips as our Guest Blogger.

After unexpectedly losing my job of nine-plus years, I decided to take some time to be intentional about seeking God’s direction for my life. Finding my purpose had been something I had struggled with for many years. Although I enjoyed my job, I always had this feeling of wanting something more…something ‘Kingdom Focused’ if you know what I mean.

After recruiting some wonderful prayer warriors to pray on my behalf, I intentionally spent a few weeks with God. God never disappoints. When I sought Him wholeheartedly, He showed up in big ways. Slowly and gently He began to reveal His plan for me. He knew I needed time to warm up to the idea. As time passed, God used multiple opportunities to speak to me and to direct me in the next steps. The problem was that I was sure I must be misunderstanding Him. He couldn’t really be asking me to do what I thought He was. As it turns out, God was encouraging me to write.

For those who don’t know me, I have to tell you how foreign this writing idea was. I have never written anything in my life other than a required school paper and an annual family Christmas letter. I have never dabbled with stories or journaling. I didn’t have a blog (nor had I ever read one), and I was not on any social media platforms. I’m also middle-aged and definitely do not have the technology equivalent of a gardener’s green thumb when it comes to computers.

Although I questioned where God was leading me, I tried for once in my life to give up control and decided to just trust, and follow. Eventually the plan became clear, and I was convinced that God was asking me to write for the purpose of encouraging Christian women in their faith.

I didn’t know where to start, or what I was doing, but I decided to jump into the deep end. I ended up creating a space on Substack where I would write to fulfill His plan for me. I named my newsletter “Plans Far Greater” because God’s plans for me are always far greater than the plans I have for myself. Substack has become a wonderful home for my writing, and the support has been amazing. I am surrounded by Christian writers who have encouraged and helped me all along the way. At the time I am writing this I have completed the writing of 13 posts on Substack and have been enjoying every minute of it. I have also written guest post submissions for a few other devotional publications. No word yet on whether or not they will be accepted.

I have always had a heart to encourage others, and this now allows me the opportunity to encourage people with God’s words, not mine. I always pray for help when crafting posts knowing that He knows who will read each post, when, and what they may need to hear.

I have been grateful for the encouragement of so many others. There are wonderfully talented writers who have been doing this for much longer, and I appreciate it when they offer me feedback and encouragement.

God encouraged me to write, and now I write to encourage others. The past few months have definitely been an adventure but one that I have been thrilled to be on. I invite you to check out my writing at https://plansfargreater.substack.com I welcome constructive criticism as well as words of encouragement.

If you are searching for your purpose in life like I was, I encourage you not to give up. It’s never too late. You aren’t here by accident; you have been created for a purpose. Don’t get discouraged but continue to pray for God’s direction in your life. Then, when He reveals it to you, don't be too scared to say “Yes”!

Dana-Lyn is a wife, and mother to teenage boys as well as a 14 year old cava-poo named Hockley. She is passionate about encouraging Christian women in their faith and is stepping into her mid-life "calling" as a writer. Her happy place consists of a comfy chair, a great book, a hot cup of coffee and a chocolate…or three! You can read more of her work at https://plansfargreater.substack.com

These Are My People ~ Valerie Ronald

 

I remember little about the topics discussed the first time I attended a Christian writers group. What I do remember thinking is, these are my people! The atmosphere created by like-minded writers in lively discussion sparked my desire to learn and grow in their company. For years I wrote in isolation, having little contact with other writers. Now at each monthly meeting I found encouragement and guidance from group members, opening new vistas of opportunity on my writing horizon.

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: if either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NIV) reminds us of the power of community, emphasizing the importance of having someone to help us when we fall. Life was meant to be lived communally, not in isolation. This also applies to our calling as writers who are followers of Jesus Christ. Though the process of writing happens in isolation, we still need each other for support, feedback, and especially, encouragement.

The word encourage stems from the French word encoragier, from en, “to make or put in,” and coeur, which means “heart.” The basic premise of the word encourage is to instill confidence and hope; to build up the heart, which is the intellect, emotions and will, the wellspring of the soul. As Christians, we have a perfect example in Jesus who spent His ministry on earth encouraging His disciples with the gospel.

An aspect of the writer’s group I appreciated was the variety of writing styles, genres, interests, and voices represented, all unique yet focused on a similar goal. Working together to make Christ known through our written words created unity and connection in a diverse group of people. More experienced writers patiently mentored those just getting started. Some had strengths in editing, some knew about self-publishing, others shared advice in their chosen genres. Everyone had something to contribute that each of us could learn from.

Over time I witnessed the atmosphere of encouragement at our meetings encompass more than the process of writing. Meaningful bonds developed as we prayed for one another, helped one another outside the group, and ministered to each other during times of loss and difficulty. I made friends in the group who are especially dear to me, though I no longer attend due to driving distance. They are not just writing acquaintances; they are lifetime friends.

The Apostle Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians is one of encouragement and hope. In chapter 4, verses 13 to 18, he assured them of being reunited with their loved ones who died in faith, when Jesus returns for His church. Paul concludes with this instruction, therefore encourage one another with these words.(vs.18)

Our InScribe Christian Writers Fellowship members shine at encouraging one another with their words. I am a recipient of those words, as are most of you. Our members live all across Canada, yet our common bonds of faith in Christ and passion for writing brings us close together.  

We cannot thrive in a vacuum. We need each other to stay focused, to know we are not alone. Like the church in Thessalonica, we need to encourage one another with these words, words of truth from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

These things I have spoken to you so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation but take courage; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (NASB) 

 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.

 

 

 

 

Community of Encouragers by Carol Harrison

 

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV)

We all need encouragement in our daily lives. I have been and am blessed with a community of encouragers. One of my greatest encouragers was my husband, Brian. He believed I could do more than I thought I could possibly accomplish. He continually encouraged me to go and write even when I didn’t feel like it. I miss his encouragement every day more that I can express.

Yet, I am not without others who have and do encourage me even as I walk with grief which seems to put a block on my writing. A number of my grandchildren have encouraged me to branch out and try other genres or have helped design book covers or format for KDP. All of these things are encouragement. I can also encourage the grandchildren in using their talents with book cover design and formatting which I enjoy doing.

For the last two years, I have faced a block with writing and crafting. I don’t know why this has to be a season of waiting for inspiration or the desire to continue on a writing journey. Yet in the midst of this time, I have others who encourage me to try like my oldest daughter, Lorilee. We often discuss writing or my lack thereof lately. She encourages me to take a step forward and then another one. What can I do to discover what is holding me back? Then work through it and try writing something or editing something I’ve written long ago.

Maybe, she suggests, it is because I haven’t begun a project my husband had challenged me to write before he passed away. It will be a difficult project to write about journeying with him through his cancer. But it might also be a healing journey. I have started an outline and a rough first chapter and then put it back away. Maybe she is right and it is time to face it once again.

I also have friends who pray for me and encourage me. These dear friends keep telling me I have the ability to write. I just need to take the time to rest and then step forward one step at a time with the writing and crafting until the excitement returns. They get excited when I write something new or publish a piece. The encouragement makes me feel like someone cares how I am doing.

I have also been encouraged by reading the Inscribe blog posts and the authors' writings. The conference encouraged me as well. There are so many avenues of encouragement opportunities within our organization and that is how it should be.

The saying, “It takes a village to raise a child,” flits through my mind, and yet in this case for this prompt, I believe it takes a community of encouragers to help us as writers and believers continue on in the path God has set for us.

May you find a community of encouragers surrounding you.

 

Carol Harrison appreciates each person who has encouraged her on her life and writing journey. They are blessings from God.

Keep Writing — We Need Your Voice by Bob Jones

 

“Pastor Bob, keep writing about these issues. We need your voice.”

That one simple sentence was enough to breathe fresh wind into my sails. It encouraged me, stimulated me, and reminded me why I write.

Because I know what a single word of affirmation can do, I’m intentional about encouraging other writers too.

Encouraged

We hadn’t seen each other in over fifteen years. I was their pastor when they moved to South Africa for medically related humanitarian work. Recently, they returned to Edmonton, and we set up a coffee date.

We share many values and perspectives that sometimes leave us on the margins of our faith communities. Over coffee, we spoke honestly about the cost of those convictions—the price of speaking up, of advocating for others.

Then they said something that made me pause:

“Pastor Bob, keep writing about these issues. We need your voice.”

I was deeply moved. Knowing that my writing had offered support and encouragement to someone doing hard things reminded me that words really can make a difference.

At times, the pushback to my writing has been louder than the praise. But that one comment—from someone I love and respect—was enough to keep me going.

Stimulated

God often draws my attention to people on the margins and the challenges they face. I write to understand, to give voice, and to celebrate those who advocate for others.

When I listen long enough, stories emerge—stories that invite empathy, understanding, and hope.

Motivated

I launched REVwords in 2019 to communicate hope through stories of faith.

Most of my writing centres on mental health, resilience, and hope—with the occasional book or movie review thrown in.

Lately, I’ve been writing about the people I’ve met in Ukraine, the state of the Church, and issues like Christian nationalism, immigration, women’s leadership, and justice.

The Christian landscape of 2025 looks nothing like it did five years ago. Whether it’s the post-COVID ripple effect or the influence of alt-right politics, some expressions of Christianity have drifted far from the way of Jesus.

As Russell Moore recalled, when one pastor preached, “If someone strikes you, turn the other cheek,” a congregant shouted back, “Where did you get those liberal talking points?”

It’s a different world. And it’s never been more important to write truthfully—and graciously.

An Encouragement to Fellow Writers

It doesn’t take much to encourage a writer. I know—I am one.

A text.

A short comment on a post.

A one-line email from a reader who felt seen or understood.

That kind of feedback is fuel for the writer’s soul.

A writing friend recently messaged me, “Thanks for the encouragement to write. You’ve been very instrumental in my writing journey.”

And that—more than anything—is why I’ll keep writing and encouraging.

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV)

Thank you for reading.

I always look forward to your feedback and connection.