Keep Writing by Alan Anderson

 

The Why to keep writing

The writing prompt for March has been a brain scratcher for me, but I finally settled on how to respond. After being a contributor to our blog for ten years, I have received a lot of encouragement from our group. Welcome advice and counsel from more experienced writers have also accompanied this encouragement. The title of this blog post might seem simple to many of you, but it summarizes my response to our prompt.

We, as writers, receive the words, “keep writing,” as an encouragement to persevere in the craft we all love. We can never underestimate our love for the written word. This love is a powerful motivation for us to continue developing our writing skills.

My personal response to the Why

Lord willing, I hope not only to keep writing, but to write well. I pray the words I write will outlast my life here on earth. With the years seeming to pass at a quick pace, I realize there will be a year that will be my final one on earth.

The past year, and into 2026, has challenged me with health conditions in no hurry to end soon. My writing energy has suffered as well. Concentration to keep writing is now a daily challenge. This is where perseverance becomes part of my writing endeavours.

I keep writing as part of who I am, the way God created me to be. Indeed, I am not everyone’s go-to guy for such things as writing advice. In fact, I shy away from giving advice most times. I would rather listen to a person hoping to help them come to their own decisions.

I keep writing to offer hope to people, and perhaps this is a strength of my words. As writers, we don’t have to go far to find people in need of hope. I write to let them know they matter. I hope to assure people someone cares for them. Hope to remind them God loves them, as do I; therefore, I keep writing. There is no reason to stop.

I keep writing with words wrapped in prayer. This is pleasing to God. He loves us to pray for each other. InScribe Christian Writers' Fellowship has a special place in my life; therefore, I pray our ministry together makes the world a better place. I conclude with a prayer I wrote in a previous post for those who are serious writers and InScribe in particular.

Bless our words, O Lord,

as they make their way into the world.

Help them touch hearts,

Heal minds,

Blanket souls in eternal love.

Allow our words, O Lord,

To speak long after we have gone to our blessed hope.

May they live as seeds of Your love.

  

Alan lives in a small village called Deroche, British Columbia, with his wife, Terry, and their poodle, Charlie. He enjoys walking on the dike near his home, with trees all around and where he finds inspiration to write. He has occasionally written articles for FellowScript Magazine and is a regular contributor to the InScribe Christian Writers’ Fellowship blog. Alan’s website and blog is https://scarredjoy.ca. He also writes on Substack.

So Many Beginnings by Steph Beth Nickel

Photo Credit: Steph Beth Nickel

When considering today's topic, the verses that immediately came to mind were Lamentations 3:22-23, "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness" (ESV).


Aren't you glad these verses are true? But how do they apply to new beginnings?

We all need His mercy each and every day. It enables us to begin projects . . . and begin them again as needed.

Perhaps you're like me and want to begin one or more of the following endeavours (or begin them again):

Prepare Manuscripts to Self-Publish

I have countless ideas for books I would like to indie publish: from picture books to devotionals, from YA spec fiction to women's fiction.

This month I intend to make significant headway with my devotional on the Gospel of John and my YA spec fiction manuscripts, working on each 2-3 times per week.

Move It, Move It

I have been walking more with my hubby, but I want to add resistance training to my schedule.

I really do enjoy exercising once I get started, but it's the starting that I find a challenge.

Eat More Healthfully

I enjoy eating healthy foods. I simply have to keep more fruits and veggies in the house and look up new recipes so I don't fall into the same old-same old "rut" when it comes to meal planning.

Decluttering / Prepare for Our Move

Again, it's a matter of doing a little almost every day. By doing so, it will also make space for the home renos we want to do before putting the house on the market.

This month, we plan to hold a yard sale and get rid of several items. And those that don't sell will be carted off to a local thrift store.

Prepare for My Homegoing

For some of us, this may sound morbid, something we want to avoid. But considering all the email and social media accounts and all the recurring online subscriptions I have, it's important that I make sure those I leave behind have ready access.

Thankfully, the decluttering will address the issue of my "stuff."

***

These are only five of the things I want to begin again this season. In order to succeed, I must do more than add them to my daily To-Do list. I must break them down into small, achievable tasks and keep moving forward.

And when I fail to achieve all I want to?

I must, once again, depend on God's daily mercies and begin yet again.

I'd love to know what you're beginning or beginning again this month. Feel free to leave a comment below or email me at stephbethnickel@gmail.com

Steph Beth Nickel is the former Editor of FellowScript and the current InScribe Contest Coordinator. Steph is an editor and author and plans to relocate to Saskatchewan from Ontario to be close to family in 2026. (Headshot Photo Credit: Jaime Mellor Photography)

Stuck In the Middle With You ~ Valerie Ronald

  

Have you ever experienced an ear worm, a catchy piece of music that gets stuck in your mind, annoyingly repeating over and over? This month’s prompt has given rise to such a pest drilling into my head until I decided if I use it, perhaps it will go away.

The song, Stuck in the Middle With You, topped the pop music charts in 1973, the year I graduated from high school. That was a long time ago, yet surprisingly I remember most of the words. If you would like a friendly, tenacious ear worm to take up residence in your brain, listen to it here: Stuck In the Middle With You 

The lyrics have nothing to do with writing, yet some lines could be applied to the writer’s quandary of getting bogged down in the midst of a literary project.

“Yes, I’m stuck in the middle with you, 

And I’m wondering what it is I should do...”

“Trying to make some sense of it all,

But I can see that it makes no sense at all.”

Don’t give up hope. Pull your manuscript out of the document archives, dust it off and try again. Like the song title says, we are not stuck in the middle on our own. Who better to be stuck with than God?

Being stuck in the middle is a good time to step back from your desk, take a breather and think about the bigger picture. Do you believe God has gifted you to write so you can glorify Him? Does it fill you with joy and purpose when He inspires you with fresh ideas and words? Are you aware of His presence with you as you write? An affirmative answer to these questions is reason to push through until you are unstuck.

We are not called to write alone. Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith, guides our thoughts and words so we write under His divine direction. If that is so, then why do we get stuck? There are a myriad of reasons, such as distraction, procrastination, loss of confidence, time pressure, trying too hard and many more. Over my years of writing, I have gradually discovered a pattern of practices which help me push through when I am stuck in the middle.

Pray

Prayer is an absolute necessity before and during all my writing projects. I go to Him for inspiration, direction and help to navigate the tough spots. Practicing the craft for many years has taught me to recognize when He speaks to the creative part of my spirit, though sometimes I wait a long time to hear from Him. Openness, sensitivity, observation ˗˗ these attitudes are heightened as I wait. I have faith He will answer because He has never failed to provide the next step.  

Be glad for all God is planning for you. Be patient in trouble, and prayerful always.- Rom.12:12 TLB

Prepare

Though not always on paper, I am a planner when it comes to writing projects. Before beginning, I think through the project, making mental note of the theme, direction, illustrations, key points and take-away value. I also gather research or helpful ideas before beginning. If it is fiction, then I mentally plot out the story, characters, settings and conclusion. By doing so, I know what comes next, which helps me move forward when I get stuck. Sometimes I find it helpful to work on a different section of the project, then go back to the troublesome section later. Having a plan makes this doable.

Do your planning and prepare your fields before building your house. - Proverbs 24:27 TLB

Partner

Writing is understandably a solitary endeavor, however, a little help from our friends can often get us over the hump. For several years now, God has gifted me with a writing mentor who is knowledgeable in aspects of the craft where I am weak. She points out ways to strengthen my prose as well as bringing fresh eyes to areas where I am struggling. With her objective viewpoint, hurdles are often surmounted in ways I miss seeing myself.

The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out. - Prov. 20:5 NIV
 

Persevere

In my early days as a writer, I gave up too easily when faced with a road block in a project. Many a ball of crumpled paper found its way to the trash can back then. As time went on and my experience and knowledge grew, I recognized that it takes perseverance to properly develop a good idea.

Acknowledging God’s inspiration for the idea helps me stay on the job until completed. Desire to obey God in fulfilling my calling is a powerful incentive to carry on, even when I can’t see my way through a difficulty. The frustration and slogging try my patience, but I refuse to give up if I believe the project is from the Lord. I know from experience that He will eventually give me a break-through, as long as I persevere.

For I can do everything God asks me to with the help of Christ who gives me the strength and power. - Phil. 4:13 TLB


Being stuck in the middle is not a permanent problem, as long as we are there with God, our refuge and strength, an ever present help in times of trouble. (Psalm 46:1 NIV)

 More of Valerie's work can be read on her blog:

https://wordpress.scriptordeus.com/

Finding Community by Lorilee Guenter

 

Once upon a time, not so long ago, a writer tried to hone her craft alone in a room. Writing is a solitary activity. She read books on the craft, in addition to the numerous books she read over the years for enjoyment. She never expected to desire to write and the writing sat in piles and binders, some edited, some not. It had no where to go beyond her writing closet.

With encouragement from her family, she started a blog and wrote on it from time to time. A few people found it and read her words. Now there was a reason to continue to hone her skills. She plodded on without consistency. Those who knew her continued to encourage her and she continued to dabble with the written word. Sometimes, solitary activity is a struggle, even when you know there is a purpose, a reason, to continue.

Consider Elijah. At one point he became discouraged because he thought he was the only one who had not worshipped idols. He still trusted God, but he was tired and lonely. God showed him that there were others and not only a few other but 7000. Although God is enough, He made us to need others also. (1 Kings 19).

The writer in the above story never considered she was alone in the same way Elijah did. She knew there were and are many writers who put pen to paper or fingers on a keyboard while glorifying God. However, she did not know how to find a place among them. She desired a community.

I think this story could be descriptive of many new writers. While the act of writing is a solitary activity, we need a community in which to grow in our faith and our craft. We need a place where we can encourage and be encouraged. Inscribe is one such place. Since becoming part of this community, I have become braver in sharing my writing. I shared bits and pieces before with people I knew. Now I share with more consistency and depth. I still write lighthearted, surface pieces since we need to have fun, however I don't shy away from sharing beyond those and showing my serious side. 

I took a huge step early on in my time with Inscribe and attended a writer's retreat. What a joy to share a time of prayer and learning with other writers. Perhaps the biggest benefit, which has spurred on my writing most, is reading the encouraging words others share. The blog, the magazine, the challenges, and the prayer make this an encouraging community. It is a place to grow. 

I am thankful for those who keep this community running, who encourage us, and who challenge us. I hope others who are looking for a community of writers find a home here as I have.

By Faith, Not By Sight - Marnie Pohlmann

I need new spiritual glasses that see in the dark.

I often find myself in black circumstances, struggling with health or relationships or choices, and when I realize I have been stumbling about I am often confounded by where I find myself. My vision has blurred. I squint but can hardly see the shadow of God moving. I try to follow but become distracted, then I stub my big toe on whatever circumstance has befallen me, and the pain shoots through my heart and mind.

In those times, I am not the least bit happy. I begin to complain and whine about my situation. I slip away from God’s footsteps and the path He leads me on, falling into the ditch to wallow in the mud of self-pity.

Yes, I’ve decided I need new spiritual glasses so I can see my way through those ever-present dark times. Not like sunglasses, that shade my eyes from stark reality, but Son-glasses with infra-red lenses that show Christ’s blood awash over my life; God’s fingerprints in, through and over all the situations I find myself in. 

Do you need this sight as well? Do you know where we can get optics like that?

The words of Paul in Romans 12:12 provides a prescription for spiritual glasses that see in the dark.

       "Rejoice in hope,

                      be patient in tribulation,

                                   be constant in prayer."

Like my last prescription for new bifocal lenses, I had difficulty seeing with understanding at first, so I needed to study each word of this verse. My interpretation is this:

            

        Be glad. Delight in God because in God you have placed your trust.

                     Persevere with no complaining, because God is with you even in the struggles.

                                  Continually converse with God because God is worthy of thanks and adoration.

That makes it clear, doesn’t it? You see, it’s all about focus.

I know these spiritual spectacles are not easy to wear even when life is going well, so it’s no surprise that, like bifocals, it may take time to adjust to rejoicing, not complaining, and thanking God during difficult circumstances. The discipline to do so will chafe, especially those places right on top of my nose that are easily seen or just behind the ear that are less obvious to others. I will want to stop what I know is best because I feel the pain and discomfort.

However, I know the more I wear them, the more I will become accustomed to the fit and to the clarity of sight. I believe that as I delight, continue, and faithfully trust God day in and day out, I will be able to wear these spiritual glasses even when I find myself in times of dismay.

This prescription will light up God’s path for me through any circumstance. Focusing on this view will show me all that I have to praise God for. I will see, by faith, that I can trust God to lead me, to hold my hand in the darkness just as He does in the light.

When I refuse to focus on my circumstances but choose instead to capture thoughts of discontent and squish them, like bugs, between Christ’s death on the cross and His rising from the grave, I am delighted, not dismayed. I won’t need to complain to everyone who will listen. Whining is packed away as I look forward with excitement to the adventure God is taking me on. I will quietly discuss with Him all my questions and observances. Step by step I will continue focusing on life with God. His glory lights the way. I do trust He has a good plan for me, despite the difficult trail I have stumbled along. 

When my spiritual eyes focus on God, I cannot help but delight in Him.

I can focus on the hope that salvation provides, and so rejoice.

God holds my future.

I can carry on, step by step, without stopping and without complaining, because I am not alone.

God holds my hand.

I can constantly converse with and adore God, because He shows His love over and over.

God holds my heart.

As I learn to wear these spiritual glasses that focus on God, I may still stub my big toe in the dark, but through faith I will not lose sight of the One who walks with me, holding my hand.

We Are In This Together by Alan Anderson

 ^“In the presence of God who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ…”—First Timothy 6: 13-14 (RSV).

My philosophy regarding my writing echoes my philosophy of care when I was in pastoral and chaplaincy work. It is to encourage people as we journey through life together in spite of hardship, sorrow or disappointment in the times we live in. Even in a secular culture like Canada the apostle Paul’s charge to the younger minister holds true. “…I charge you to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ…”

In being called to be writers we can encourage each other to persevere in whatever area of writing we are involved in. This encouragement, of course, can also be giving to other creatives. We must never give up.

I see Pontius Pilate as representing the secular mindset of when Jesus lived. This mindset also matches the growing and lost secularism of our day. The truth of God is alive and well but most people reject it. Pontius Pilate had the Truth before him yet rejected it.

I love my fellow writers. I have been encouraged by many writers especially those of the InScribe writer family. In turn I want to encourage and spur them on. I know if it wasn’t for the blessing of other writers my words might not come to fruition. We need each other.

I experienced a sense of sadness when I read Ruth Snyder’s final message as InScribe President. She has been President, I believe, since I joined InScribe a few years ago. I sincerely appreciate in her final message as President she encouraged us to spur each other on (FellowScript, Summer 2018 edition).

Ruth’s encouragement reminds me we may be more effective in bringing a message of hope if we realize we are not alone in our craft. We are even more determined to influence our society due to the power of encouraging other writers. In this realization we know our writing has meaning and purpose.

Perhaps as you read this post you are in need of encouragement. You sit in front of your computer to write and words are slow to come. The ones you put on to a page lack meaning and are weak. You get up from your computer and look out a window in hope of giving your mind a rest. This effort to write is all devoid of joy and you are downhearted. I imagine many of us experience this from time to time.

My tendency is to be a loner when I create a story. Perhaps this is due to being an introvert by nature. I’m not shy but I am an introvert. I’m at a point in my life where I enjoy sharing my work with other writers to critique. It’s worth it in the long run and it spurs me on.

I love to encourage other writers. It is a privilege to encourage another writer when I’m asked to critique a work in progress. Is this a joy to you as well my reader friend? What a privilege it is to be a writer.

Secularism may be the call of today but it is also a time when we as writers who are Christian continue to bring stories, articles, and messages of abiding hope to people. Let us not be shaken by the darkness and negativity so prevalent in a society searching for meaning and purpose. Let our writing be pleasing, unstained and free from reproach all in the name of the One we serve. We are in this life together and we are not alone.

https://scarredjoy.ca/