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Attitudes & Professionalism
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DANGEROUS ASSUMPTIONS in CHRISTIAN WRITING
- Thinking your readers will be Christian and/or sophisticated
- Thinking explicit Christian expression equals quality writing
- Thinking your writing should never challenge or chide other
Christians
- Thinking your readers will understand Christian ideas, idioms,
terminology, etc.
- Assuming you can rely on the Holy Spirit and never do any
research
- Thinking you can use clichés
- Assuming that because you are a Christian, you are half of a
Christian writer (Jerry Jenkins)
- Assuming it is best to stick with safe topics.
- Assuming ideas will come from God and that inspiration is a
substitute for perspiration
- Thinking you need to provide all the answers
- Assuming becoming a writer happens quickly and easily
- Thinking you can proclaim the truth and be safe from
challenges
- Assuming your writing must always be serious
- Assuming that an emphasis on piety and devotion can take the
place of relevance
- Thinking that Christian writing should not be controversial
(adapted from a list of “Hazards. . .” ---
notes from a lecture by John H. Redekop)
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Why write?
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GOALS VS. DESIRES — KNOW THE
DIFFERENCE
A goal is something you want to
achieve and have a measure of control over, but others can prevent
you from reaching it.
Goals should be realistic. For
instance, Writer’s Digest publishes 365 writing prompts each year.
It may not be realistic for you to do every single one of them.
A desire is something you want to
happen but depends on others, and you cannot control its
fulfillment.
Desires might be realistic but what
happens if you call them goals? You make yourself responsible for
the goals of other people!
Which is which?
a. I will write 500 words a day.
b. I will be published six times this year.
c. If I receive a rejection, I will resubmit that piece within the
next two days.
d. My writing will bless my readers.
e. People will be saved through reading my devotionals.
f. I will learn how to write a good personality profile.
How important to recognize the
differences between goals and desires in your writing life. Better
to set goals and work to make them happen, than to be a victim of
unrealized desires.
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WORKING UNDER PRESSURE by Janis
Leong
I do something in my imagination
that for some reason gives me a mental break and allows me to
focus on the tasks. I often imagine myself the day after a huge
project is finished.
For example, I have a large project
happening on Monday November 22 in the morning, and I am imagining
the release of the pressure at 10:15 am - the time when the event
is scheduled to end.
After that I know I will be in the
process of post-event clean-up: kind of like savoring dessert
after the dinner rush. For some reason this gives me a mental
break that really mellows me out. ~ Janis Leong
Note from webmaster: This is like
Hebrews 12! In the race set before us, we are to fix our eyes on
Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. When we look at the
end result, stresses go away. Not only that, as we gaze at Him, we
become more like Him! Thanks for the good tip, Janis!
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MAKE WRITING YOUR WAY OF LIFE
- First identify the hindrances
1) Attitude problems
a. False humility (can’t be much so won’t try)
b. Already know how (need “fresh” challenges, Jesus always
gave Peter the hard jobs)
c. Undisciplined (need to evaluate priorities)
2) Priorities
a. What is more important than your writing time?
b. Don’t let the good crowd out the best. Decide which is the
most important to God.
3) No Place and Time (or inconsistency)
a. If writing is your calling, need a regular time and place
to do it.
b. Routine is not boring. Need to see revision, writing
exercises, etc. as practice to perfect your work.
4) Wrong Goals
a. not to get rich or be famous
b. but to share your heart, be a blessing, minister, make
truth known
- Motivation
1) Recognize your stage writing, none of us are there yet. Read
good literature. Have a holy dissatisfaction – not the same as
discouragement.
2) Visualize God’s goals
a. Continually relying on His Spiritual strength & energy, a
vital life
b. Christlike priorities
(3) Fruitful life, blessing others
- Opportunity
1) Trust God with everything on your to-do list
2) Subtract before you add (Off with old, on with new)
- Persistence
1) Resist outer and inner clutter. Clean up, get organized.
2) Resist the “I’ll do it later” temptation and do it now.
3) Discipline = “harness by which we help the Holy Spirit get the
best out of our frail bodies” (Ravenhill)
4) Forget failure, keep trying. Philippians 3:13-14.
5) Take chunks of time but also do writing things many moments
during the day:
a. Waiting in line - planning a plot
b. Meditation in motion - mindless chores, think new lines
c. Take note of events, people, conversations when out
shopping etc. Put them in your stories.
d. Use a cassette tape in the car.
e. Write notes when ideas come, use a journal.
f. Write something every day
- Rewards
1) Rewards may not be totally monetary
2) As a believer, you will gain a sense of fulfilling your calling
3) Some rewards are reserved for eternity
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God in my Work ~ Writing in the Shadow of the Cross
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Always be honest and real with God,
yourself, and your readers. People cannot see God in your work if
you cover Him with pretense.
Keep a journal. Here are some links
that might help you get started, or give you some fresh ideas to
keep you going:
Soulful Living
FaithWriters - weekly writing challenges, for beginners,
intermediate and advanced writers
Keep short accounts with the Lord. Unconfessed sin will ruin
your testimony, even if you are writing fiction or a topic that is
not about faith or the Christian life.
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Faith
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The Apostle Paul realized that central to
the success of his ministry was a determination to trust God, not
his own strengths and resources. In fact he gloried in his
weaknesses and because he did, the power of God was manifest in him.
Before you write another word, surrender all your skills and
abilities to the Lord. Give Him your fears and weaknesses too. Then
ask Him to fill you with His power and wisdom. Now go write!
Try these books:
-
The Soul Tells a Story: Engaging Creativity with Spirituality
in the Writing Life by Vinita Hampton Wright. InterVarsity,
$14 paper (240p) ISBN 0-8308-3231-9
- Writers in the Spirit by Carol J.
Rottman, a good comfortable read written in the personal essay
style with meditations and writing exercises at the end of each
chapter. ISBN: 1932902430
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Writing for the Christian
Market - order page for Terry Whalin's book.
Links for Christians who Write
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Impact without sermonizing
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One of the first steps in telling
your story or writing anything without preaching is to realize
that only God changes people. While He does use people, we cannot
MAKE that happen by the forcefulness of our delivery.
Notice what is happening on the
inside while you write. What is your attitude towards your
intended audience? If you are preaching in your heart it will come
out your mouth. Instead, think of the needs of the reader. Also
think of the privilege of being used by God. Write from an
attitude of humility and you will not sound preachy!
Talk “up” to your readers rather
than assuming they don't know what you have to tell them. Assume
that they have heard it before and been turned off. How can you
say it in a way that will draw them back?
Suggestions from
Jan Karon: Wrestling and Writing from the Heart (resource no longer
available)
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What Speaks the Loudest?
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- Personal testimonies or stories about how
God changed you. How
to write it.
- Write hymns! This can be a way to reach
human hearts.
More
information
- Write letters - to the editor, to
government officials, to prisoners.
Tips
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