When I look back at this past year of writing and look forward to this coming year, I am thankful for the many ways God has encouraged me and instilled confidence in my writing. So I am proclaiming thankfulness here by sharing some of those ways.
1. I can say that it has been a good year of writing for me, but don't be deceived in thinking that it has been an easy year. It has not. In fact, it has been a difficult year, especially the past 3 1/2 months. However, in the midst of pain and heartache, questions and more questions, I found time to journal my journey and put my pain to poetry. God met me there and I found release and healing--and freedom. This inspiration is spurring me on in 2015. Thanks God for who You are.
2. I have also been exhilarated by books written by writers for writers. The most recent two books have been The War of Art by Stephen Pressfield and Walking on Water by Madeleine L'Engle. Reconnecting with L'Engle's works has touched my soul in a beautifully unexpected way--her poetry has been especially powerful. Have you, as a writer, ever come across a fellow writer that feels like a soul mate? THAT'S how I feel about Madeleine L'Engle. Her faith and perspective on life spur me on to be a better writer and to persevere in 2015. Thanks God for leading me to these writers.3. NaNoWriMo (November writer's month) changed my writing outlook. In November I committed to writing the memoirs of my family's two years living in the Philippines from 1992-1994. By the end of the month I had written 30,000 words and completed my writing project. Prior to this, I hesitated writing our memoirs of living overseas as missionaries because the project was too daunting. Now I know I can do it, if I give myself a goal of words per day and NOT think about the whole project. So for 2015 I am committed to writing 500 words/day. For some of you that sounds miniscule, but for me it is doable and I'm excited about where I will be by the end of the year. Thanks God for giving me the courage to sign up for NaNoWriMo.
4. The InScribe Writer's Conference was also motivating--interacting with fellow-writers, sitting under a bit of Phil Callaway's tutelage and gaining wisdom in workshops--all good stuff to help me persevere. Thanks God for a conference right in my own city.
5. My other inspiration this past year has been my writer's group. I cannot thank God enough for this Spirit-filled group of ladies. As Proverbs 27:17 says, "As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend," so these ladies have sharpened me in my writing, prayed for me and my family through tough times, and have become my close friends and co-fighters in pressing on in writing. Words seem so trite in my thanks to each one of them but thanks God for bringing them into my life.
Which brings me to my theme phrase for 2015. This past week, our fearless writers' group leader referred to this coming year as our "Year of Writing Dangerously." That resonated with me and even after a few days the phrase would not leave my conscious thoughts. Then I knew it was the Spirit nudging at my mind--giving me the courage to claim it as my writing theme for 2015--to call this my year of writing dangerously. Could I? Would I? So with fearful expectancy I proclaim the phrase as mine for 2015: It is the year of writing dangerously.
Thanks God for words and the ability and opportunity to write. May I always write for YOU!
