K is for Know by Susan Barclay

      

This month's post requires little to no introduction: simply put, to be effective as inspirational writers, there are a few things we need to know:

Our audience – for whom are we writing? Adults? Teens? Children? Christians? Non-Christians? Even within these groups, there are variations. Are the adults young, senior, or somewhere in between? Are the teens younger or older? Are the children 0-4, 4-8, or 8-12? Are the Christians mature or new? Are they pastors or lay people? Men or women? Are the non-Christians open, questioning, or hostile? Your target audience determines your writing style, the language you use, your tone, and your content.

Our subject matter – what are we writing about? For that matter, what are we writing? Fiction or non-fiction. Depending on the genre and content of our writing, more or less research is required. When we pick up a book, we want to know that the author knows his or her stuff. When you’re pregnant and you want to know what to expect, you don’t usually choose a book written by someone who only knows cars. The reverse is also true: you don’t typically select a book on auto mechanics that’s been written by a gynecologist. If you’re going to write something, know your subject. The best readers will be able to tell.

 

Our message – what are we trying to say? Everything we write should be an attempt to communicate something, even if it’s just for laughs. Fiction contains themes and ideas; non-fiction has a purpose revealed in the thesis statement (remember those from high school?). Knowing the overarching message of your work provides its guiding light.

 

Ourselves – who are we? Are we the best person to communicate this message, to write about this subject, or to communicate to this particular audience? Do we bring something new to the table, some unique angle or way of thinking about things? Why do we want to write on this topic or this theme? Has God laid it on our hearts, have we noticed a gap in the literature that needs someone to fill it, has an opportunity for publication presented itself? Knowing ourselves helps us to take on those projects that are personally meaningful or suited to us and to let go of those that might sound good but are better left to others.

 

God (last, but certainly not least) – who is He to us? Are we seeking and allowing Him to direct our steps or are we managing our lives and writing in our own strength and wisdom? It’s always best to seek Him first and to follow Him in obedience, since He has good plans and a purpose for our specific lives (ref Jeremiah 29:11), including for our writing. Knowing God requires us to be silent and still, listening for His voice so that He can function as Lord, be our good Father, and our life.

As much as we may want to write, “Desire without knowledge is not good, and whoever makes haste with his feet misses his way” (Proverbs 19:2). Let’s step beyond desire this month and think about knowing, growing in our ability to inspire well.

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For more about Susan Barclay and her writing, please visit www.susan-barclay.blogspot.com.

A Comfort Zone Without a Comforter by Alan Anderson

I love the writing prompt for this month. I want to give it a big verbal kiss! It has made me think deep and to choose my words with caution. The ghost of my “comfort zone” is looking over my shoulder as I write this autobiographical post.

The theme for this month’s blog is, “Out of your comfort zone.” Here are the prompt questions I will cover. “When has God nudged you out of your comfort zone, either in your faith life or your writing life? What fears did you face? What steps did you take (or not take) to leave your comfort zone? And what were the results? (Or perhaps God is nudging you now…)”

Please allow me to set the scene a bit for you. I lived my childhood primarily in a fantasyland of my own making. From my early years I tried to escape real life and what it confronted me with. I was shy, quiet and just wanted people to leave me alone. I took each day as it came. That was life. I didn’t expect anything special to come my way. As long as I could stay within myself it was okay. My life at this early age was my comfort zone. It was a comfort zone without a comforter.

“When has God nudged you out of your comfort zone, either in your faith life or your writing life?” When I became aware of God’s love for me things changed slowly. I had to be sure God was real. That too would come slowly. My early thoughts of God were He was a big Meany! He was a Judge and I didn’t need another judge.

What fears did I face?

At first I didn’t face my fears for the most part because there were too many. I hid from them. They were bigger than me. I began to use humour to help me hide from me. In time, in years of time, humour would help me form a relationship with the world and myself. Humour slowly helped me face my fears by not allowing them to rule me anymore.

“What steps did you take (or not take) to leave your comfort zone?” I always took slow and small steps. I guess somewhere along the way of supposedly growing up, I wanted to have a less fearful relationship with life. My shyness pretty well stayed part of me into my teen years. I still much preferred my own company to that of having other people around. I worked hard at my self-awareness, at finding out about myself. That is still part of my journey today.

“And what were the results?” I began to come out of my comfort zone and saw the needs of others. To this day I resonate with those who hurt. I seem to naturally come alongside those in need of an ear and heart to listen to them. I guess in some way, I am a comforter to some.

 Even today I still have lots to learn about people, other God and myself. I think even with my last breath I will be amazed that God ordained me for good works. He ordained me? Me? I am thankful He knows what He is doing. I have a Comforter who is in the business of looking beyond my “comfort zone” and accepting me for who He made me to be. I’m cool with that now!

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