Revelations about Writing

Education has been my life, first as an elementary, high school, and college student, then as a teacher of kindergarten, VBS, Sunday School, homeschool, and now as public school substitute. I love the process of learning especially the moment Read More
when you see the wheels in a child’s mind grind through what you have presented and then shining in a moment of clarity.

As a writer, I have had some of those moments.

Something I knew but had never experienced is the thrill of how much easier writing becomes when we practice. One of the really good writers in my critique group says that she her skill came from a time period when she wrote a weekly column for a newspaper. This past year, my publisher recommended that I blog three times a week. Whew! What a flurry of activity that involved! I spun out blogs until I decided that I would never finish my current book if I didn’t spend more time on it. From all that blogging, I found for myself how much easier writing and coming up with ideas can be, if it is a habit practiced regularly.

The second bit of learning I’ve had reinforced is how much a community means to an individual. Back in undergraduate school, I based a speech on John Donne’s No Man is an Island. I’m still finding it to be true. My writer’s group has been a constant source of help and encouragement to me for many years. When I more recently established an association with Helping Hands Press, I gained another group who helps by promoting each other’s books, blogs, and tweets. Both groups grow me as a writer and help keep my fingers to the keyboard.

The most recent revelation came from reading a story about how a woman gained a book contract. Sorry, but I don’t remember who wrote the story. She related how a series of chance occurrences on Twitter led her to the right people at the right time. As I read her story, I realized how God can open doors for me at any time in any way. I again put my writing in his hands, desiring to rest in Him, trusting that what happens is for my good.

These three, the fruit of practice, the benefit of being part of a team, and  a reminder of God’s providence have been lights in my writing education this past year.