Being Yentl by Marnie Pohlmann

“Follow Me,” said Jesus, and by ones and twos the men we know as His disciples began their apprenticeship. That’s not really where their training began, though.

In Jewish culture, boys were taught from a young age what the Torah and Tanakh said, and also what the Talmud said as interpretation of the Torah. While girls were not necessarily taught in a formal manner, Scripture’s examples of women as prophets, judges, and leaders indicate girls also grew in knowledge of the Lord and God’s Word.

I am reminded of one of my favourite music movies, “Yentl” with Barbara Streisand as a Jewish girl who poses as a boy so she can learn. I won’t share the details so the twists of the movie are not spoiled if you haven’t seen it, so please look for this entertaining show. Suffice it to say; learning the Word of God was a central part of Jewish culture.

So the fishermen, tax collector, doctor, and others were already knowledgeable about the foundations of faith. When their call came, they recognized it and responded to the invitation of the Master. Jesus taught them by example, by word, and through discussion, reminding them and illuminating for them things they already knew. He challenged them to more and greater than they ever imagined.

My writing apprenticeship also started long before I responded to the call.

Heading to school, I was already a lover of reading, so when we learned to print our names I was so excited! I ran home to show my Mom.
“Marjorie. That’s spelled wrong,” she said.
So she sent a note back to my teacher, explaining my name was spelled “Margery.” I didn’t mind – now I knew how to write more letters, and put them together to make words.

About Grade Four, we were asked to write a story from the point of view of an object. The teacher was impressed with my tale of a tire that was happy to be recycled as a flowerbed. I had seen such a garden on my walk home from school. And so I learned the basics of POV and personification.

By Grade Seven I knew I loved creative writing, and discovered synonyms and antonyms to make my writing more interesting. I wrote about a conflagration and described how the blood of an animal teemed. What fun!

Throughout school, but especially in High School, I discovered recognition for my writing by winning National contests. I also wrote for the school newspaper, and enjoyed writing essay assignments.

But what happened when school was done? How did I continue to write? Was the saying true, “if you don’t use it, you lose it”? Perhaps! My writing turned inward with journaling, and occasional pieces for non-profits or my job, but nothing to move me forward.

Yet that is when the call came. As I wrote just between God and me, journaling my past and present pains, the call to follow God as a writer came. At first I refused. I struggled with God. I wanted to write exciting things, not happy-ever-after religious stuff.

And so began my apprenticeship. First lesson – with God an integral part of me, no matter what genre I write, His influence shows. Only with God is there a happy-ever-after, so even the most difficult, realistic stories I pen will show that Hope in some form. It’s just who I am.

Now, as I follow God, I will learn from the example of others and through discussion and correction. We journey together bravely sharing what we are led to write. Writing seems solitary, but it takes teachers and companions to learn our ministry and craft. I grow stronger by following God with others on this adventure.

Like Yentl, a writer’s desire is not met by just having a foundation. We must apply that basic knowledge and seek to understand more, to practice and share more. And like Yentl, I pray we will travel to new places as we follow our desire to know and show God.

Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” John 8:12 (NASB)

Marnie Pohlmann writes from a small northern town to show the world that God’s light shines in darkness. Read Marnie’s blog, Phosphorescent, at marniewriter.com

The Long and Winding Road - Tracy Krauss

Like the apprentices of medieval times, my writing apprenticeship began with lots of observation. In other words, reading. I still think that reading widely is one of the best ways to learn, but one drawback is the way styles and conventions change. I was a closet writer for about sixteen years before I ventured to share my words with anyone. While it wasn't the worst writing in the world, it certainly wasn't the best either, and much of that was due to my reliance on classics, while not paying attention to what current best practices entailed. I came to a rude awakening when I submitted my first manuscripts. Rejection followed rejection and things that I had never even thought about before  came glaringly to light.

The next stage of my apprenticeship relied mostly on this painful trial and error method. Rejection was followed by revision, resubmission and inevitably more rejection. Forgive my use of the cliche, but it really was a 'rejection-revision-resubmission-rejection' merry-go-round, and it lasted for about seven years. Looking back, I am sure I could have learned most of these lessons by taking a course or joining a critique group, but I didn't have the time, the finances, or the contacts. (Hindsight says these options would have been easier and faster, but c'est la vie...)

I've heard other authors say they could have wallpapered a room with rejection letters. In my case, I literally could have done so. I was tenacious if nothing else, and estimate at least 140 submissions to various publishers and agents over that period. It was cathartic to tear those early letters up in despair, but now I wish I would have kept them. In any case, I finally got some positive feedback on three different submissions in 2008 and signed a contract for my first book, And the Beat Goes On.

The apprenticeship continued, however. I was suddenly thrust into the world of marketing and self promotion; social media and networking. Talk about a steep learning curve! Since that first book came out in 2009 I am amazed at how much I have grown and learned about all aspects of the industry - and also appalled at how much I still need to learn! I often feel like I am one step behind the pack, struggling to keep up.

Not only has the learning continued on the business side of things, but my writing has changed and grown as well. (At least I hope I can say that!) I have a fairly long list of published work from novels to stage plays to non-ficiton, yet, it seems I am always finding things that I wish I could change. Too many adjectives, too many elaborate dialogue tags, too much exposition ... these are just a few things I see in some of my earlier novels that make me cringe. Until the rights to those works revert back to me, however, there is little I can do about it. While the average reader doesn't seem to notice, I NOTICE - and that means this apprentice is still growing and not ashamed to admit it.

If I was to do anything differently I would probably make sure I joined a critique group sooner. It is so important to have other eyes look over one's work and some of the mistakes that irritate me now might have been avoided if I had had more honest criticism. Also, I think I would be more diligent in making sure each contract is the best it can be. I was so excited to even get a contract the first time that I didn't really care what it said. Seven years is a long time to wait for the rights to one's own words. Similarly, formatting mistakes I have found in another series of my books are beyond of my control.
 
My writing apprenticeship has been long and sometimes winding, spanning more than thirty years. I use the verb 'has' because I still feel like I am a long way from mastery. Maybe that's the key to keeping things fresh.

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Tracy Krauss writes (among other things) from her home in northern BC. Website

The Writer's Apprenticeship by Karma Pratt

Our prompt: Share discoveries and turning points of your writing apprenticeship (past or present).

I wasn’t sure I had much wisdom to contribute on this topic. In many ways, I feel that my writing apprenticeship has just begun. There’s so much learning to still be done!

From a technical perspective, learning the mechanics of writing has been a simple side effect of loving to read. From childhood, I have had a deep love of words and books. They have been my constant companions. 

Words have taken me on journeys to new lands, uncharted territories unbound by the desire of imagination to thrive in the wilds. In my mind, words have shaped images into stories; stories with twists and turns, moving me from dreams to reality and back again. I so love the power of each carefully selected word, cozying up to its partners on either side, creating a whirlwind of emotion, provoking thoughts. Words are the catalyst for new creation, for the stirrings of possibility awakening to new life.

My love of words gave birth to a desire to communicate clearly and effectively in written and verbal communication. I became a “word geek”, studying English language and literature, and throwing in a side of Spanish for fun, because words are magical in any language. 

Eventually, I moved on and studied Professional Communications, becoming a Master of Art in the process. That still gives me tingles. Despite what the title might indicate, I do feel as though I am at the beginning stages of my apprenticeship.

The winding path of this writer’s apprentice has been studded with dreams.  I remember a vivid dream from many years ago, when Jesus told me I needed to become an apprentice, and showed me the first steps to creating clarity and getting guidance on that path. Well, in my dream he actually said “disciple”, but my small world was not ready for what that meant, so I kept asking him to repeat himself, until finally I got the clear word, “Apprentice! You need to become an apprentice!” As a girl who grew up less in the church and more in the oil and gas industry, the word “apprentice” made more sense to me than “disciple”. I simply didn’t know enough to understand the significance of discipleship (yet).

Fast forward many years, two children, and one home church later: I feel as though I’m finally stepping fully into the apprenticeship I have been called to. I realize this love of words and books is the expression of a gifting God has graciously instilled in me. My job is to steward that gift, grow in it, and allow my life to take shape around the love and light of Christ.

I read a devotional recently that stated, “No matter your circumstances… He is your purpose.” What a beautiful reminder! He is my purpose in all circumstances. Every word I write, think, or speak must be guided by my desire to grow in Christ. As a disciple of Jesus, I am committed to using the gifts he’s given me to move through this world sharing His love in the ways that make the most sense for me. I have a feeling this is the type of apprenticeship that never truly ends. I’m looking forward to the journey, however.

Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that.  Don't be impressed with yourself. Don't compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life. 

Galatians 6:4-5 (The Message Bible)

Karma Pratt is a faith-driven mom of twins, a communicator, a writer, and an encourager from way back. Say hello at redraincoatcreations.com or connect on Twitter, Facebook, & LinkedIn

Help, I need Somebody! – Ramona Heikel

What do bakers, dog-trainers, doctors, cooks, crane operators and The Beetles have in common?  They need somebody to help. To come alongside, as in…an apprenticeship!  So what about us writers, how about an apprenticeship for us?

I have run across a few instances of writing apprenticeships, but they are random and rare.  Some schools consider an MFA (Master of Fine Arts) to be an apprenticeship. (Have you had experience with an MFA?)

An apprentice is one who is learning by practical experience under a master, and I haven’t had a master author walk with me through these many years, guiding my writing. However, my writing apprenticeship has consisted of a variety of helpers: mentors in writing courses I’ve taken, successful authors in writing and critique groups I attended each month, and authors who write books and blogs devoted to writing skills.

             

Last fall I signed up for an online spiritual writing retreat with author Vinita Hampton Wright. Through this group “mentorship” and one of the exercises, I made a discovery; it was good news and bad news. I realized I have a tendency to write when I'm excited, but when the excitement wears off I stop working. I love the enthusiastic part of the idea process and that initial burst of putting my original thoughts and explorations down on a page. But often, when I go back to it, the novelty has worn off and I have lost momentum and motivation.  Because of this bad habit, I have many pieces I have started and abandoned.  I am ashamed to admit this because it seems rather childish and undisciplined, but I have to hope that simply realizing this after so many years of writing is a step forward!

My advice to a new writer, especially one who is juggling many other responsibilities, would be that your apprenticeship very realistically could take 10 years or even more. During this time, you shouldn’t assume you are going to write a best-seller, or even anything publishable.  Seriously consider getting a writing coach, which may be the closest thing to an apprenticeship. This is the route that I would have taken, had I realized that I would be spinning my wheels and wasting a lot of valuable time by trying to "do it myself."  (And it’s not too late. I am looking for one, so if any of you readers are coaches, or can recommend one, let me know.)

  

As I think about having help along the writing journey, it makes me think about how much help we have on our life journey.  Jesus is the Master who walked alongside his apprentices, allowed them to get to know him and watch him work, and demonstrated how to live life.  And after he finished his work on earth, he left another helper, our own one-on-one mentor, the Holy Spirit.  He knew we'd "need somebody, not just anybody."  I marvel that we are so important to him, that we “merit” his constant companionship!

Posted by Ramona

www.happilywriting.com

Photo credits:

A shoe repairman and his young apprentice, Apprenticeship, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apprenticeship; Road to Emmaus, Bloor Lansdowne Christian Fellowship,  https://bloorlansdownechristianfellowship.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/road_to_emmaus.jpg