The “Faithful Writers Toolkit” newsletter is no longer offered, but you can find past issues, other writer resources, and more of my writing when you subscribe below to “Essential HEARTSPOKEN Connections,” a seasonal reflection on the Heartspoken Life’s four essential connections: with God, with Self, with Others, and with Nature.
Encouragement for Faithful Writers everywhere. Please share with your writing friends.
July 27, 2019
Hi, Faithful Writers,
I’ve just fixed myself a cup of coffee, so go grab your favorite beverage (is it coffee or tea or something else?) and come sit down with me for the next few minutes.
I’m trying to wean myself off of sugar and cream. Sigh…
For ages, I had trouble referring to myself as a writer, but now I always include the word “writer” when asked, “What do you do?” If you struggle with that too, let’s reframe that self-identity.
No matter where you are in your writing journey, claim your calling as a writer by opening your mind and heart to the inspiration and opportunities God places in your path. You may—or may not—ever be a published author. Your writing may—or may not—bring recognition or fame or even compensation.
None of these should be used to measure its value or the truth that you are a writer.
Faithful Reflection: The kindness of strangers
This entire week, God has been impressing on me the importance of ministering to strangers.
A few days ago, an unnamed writer in CNN’s “Good Stuff” email declared: “They say real friends will stick by you in the bad times, but in my experience, it’s sometimes the total stranger that really comes through in a time of need…Our interactions with them are often brief, but we never forget the helping hands and kind words given by the random angels life sends.”
The latest issue of O Magazine (Oprah) featured several moving stories in which the kindness of strangers had made a huge impact on someone’s life. The magazine’s question of the month was, “When was the last time a stranger brightened your day?”
I experienced the kindness of strangers firsthand in Pittsburgh last weekend when heat index warnings were alarming. My red face must have been alarming too, because a man rose to give me his seat on the hotel shuttle, and a ballpark vendor invited me to dip my towel into her bucket of ice water.
Reflect on a moment when a stranger was kind to you…or when you were able to minister to a stranger yourself. Write the story down…in your journal, on your blog, or in a letter to a friend. It will be a testimony to the power of love.
Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. (Hebrews 13:2 – King James Version)
What books are on your nightstand?
Good writers are good readers, because the ideas, events, people, and places we experience while reading can inform and inspire our writing. I’ve just finished one novel, and I’m reading two others books now:
The Secret Keeper, by Kate Morton, was a delightful summer read. Morton is a marvelous storyteller and a master at devising complex and intriguing plots and characters. Laurel hastens to unravel the threads of her dying mother’s childhood, WWII tragedies, and decades-old passions before it’s too late. Can there be family secrets best left uncovered? Possibly, but the ones uncovered in this book brought healing and closure.
I’m deep into our own Teddy Asiel Jones’s book Let’s Major In The Minors. His sermon series delves into the powerful lessons and teachings from the five one-chapter books of the Bible: Obadiah, Philemon, II John, III John, and Jude. These books are often overlooked when Scripture is discussed, but Teddy’s clear, heartfelt, and well-researched commentary brings out themes and lessons that are startlingly contemporary.
I’m thoroughly enjoying Stones for Ibarra by Harriet Doerr—a gift from Pamela McRae-Dux. First published in 1978, it is an extraordinarily original and vivid novel. It portrays a naive American couple who took up residence in the small Mexican village of Ibarra to reopen an abandoned copper mine. The writing is exquisite in its depiction of scene, culture, and humanity.
I’d love to know what you’re reading right now. Hit “Reply” to this email and let me know. CLICK HERE to see my entire reading list for 2018 and 2019.
Faithful Writing Quotes
“Love is the only energy I’ve ever used as a writer. I’ve never written out of anger, although anger has informed love.” ~ Athol Fugard
“When I sit down to write a book, I do not say to myself, ‘I am going to produce a work of art.’ I write it because there is some lie that I want to expose, some fact to which I want to draw attention, and my initial concern is to get a hearing.” ~ George Orwell
“You don’t write about the horrors of war. No. You write about a kid’s burnt socks lying in the road.” ~ Richard Price
Do you agree or disagree with any of these statements? Hit “Reply” to this email and let me know.
Writing Tip of the Month
Don’t throw away writing projects that you set aside. ~ C.S. Lewis
I agree with C.S. Lewis that writers should keep a journal or some other system to capture snippets, ideas, events, and experiences. What was a false start for one writing project might be the perfect ending for another.
I do save most of my writing, but I have yet to find a great system for filing and retrieving these bits and pieces when I want them. My stacks of spiral notesbooks are not very searchable. Evernote helps for digital content, but do you have a better way to catalog your writing and capture your ideas?
You can find images for this and earlier Tips for #FaithfulWriters HERE.
July writer’s resource: Poets & Writers
The Poets & Writers website provides access to databases of small presses, literary magazines, and literary agents, as well as MFA programs and writing contests.
You can sign up for their free weekly update or subscribe to their print magazine. I was impressed with the wide array of offerings: news, writing prompts, enticing articles, and tools for writers. Here’s the link: The Poets & Writers website.
If you have any writerly resources you’d like to share with others in the group, hit Reply and email me or share it in the Faithful Writers Facebook group.
Faithful Writer Spotlight: Jeannie Coffman
Jeannie Coffman comes to Faithful writers as a scribbler.
“I do not consider myself to be a writer and am definitely unpublished, but I enjoy the art of putting words on paper and attempting to connect with myself, the world around me, and with God. Through attending two of Elizabeth’s spiritual writing workshops, I am learning and continuing to learn to let my pen run without borders. Some days this is a simple task and others, it is difficult.
I live in the Shenandoah Valley and enjoy God’s beauty. I have a grandson nearby and my daughter’s family resides in Lubbock, Texas. This is where the younger grandchildren live. I have been blessed with five beautiful grands who are the loves of my life. They range from 3 to 17, I am so blessed.
I guess the most important tip I can offer is to just allow your thoughts to flow; do not be afraid to bear your heart.”
ELIZABETH’S NOTE:
I will contradict one thing Jeannie said: she IS a writer, and a good one. She is observant, compassionate, and faithful. She also didn’t mention that she’s a Faith Community Nurse with Shenandoah Valley Lutheran Ministries, and she has often used her writing gifts and story-telling skills to minister to her patients. And her patients have sometimes inspired her to write too. Jeannie contributed greatly to my workshops by participating and encouraging the rest of us.
New on the Heartspoken Blog
How To Comfort A Friend Whose Pet Has Died – Here’s some help for what to say.
Book Review: Founding Mothers By Cokie Roberts – just in time for the Fourth of July
All You Need To Know Is Already Close At Hand – where are you looking for God and Truth?
Heartspoken Moment: Say NO More Often – where are you looking for God and Truth?
That’s it for this month, {{ subscriber.first_name }}. I’ll be with you again in August. In the meantime, keep an eye on the Faithful Writers Facebook group, where I post tips and resources I think you’ll find valuable.
Elizabeth
P.S. Have a question or comment? Need some help? Just reply to this email…it will come straight to me and I’ll respond.
P.P.S. PLEASE SHARE THIS NEWSLETTER with your writing friends! It is no longer being published, but you can access archived issues of The Faithful Writers Toolkit HERE.
Pin it
7 Ways To Make Your Next Vacation More Soul-Nourishing
Leave a Reply