By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills
We writers thrive on our projects entering a theater of encouragement, an area in which readers react and respond to what we’ve written. And we hope positively. In the true sense of the word, a theater uses a stage to present a real or fictionalized event to those who crave an emotional experience. Thus, our characters perform in our books for our readers.
But how is this done in the world of publishing competition? Many writers desire to climb onto the same platform of success, and these writers are excellent in their genre. Too often we become discouraged and our discontent shows in our writing.
Perhaps our concern should be more on creating the best writing project for our reader instead of worrying about the competition. But achieving that attitude is sometimes difficult. If we are writing to pay the electric bill or fund a child’s education, the stress can steal our joy and damage our ability to write well. What happened to creating an enjoyable read that paves the way for readers to embrace life?
The answer lies in remembering our focus, and why we took on the challenge of learning how to write and publish
What commendable props need to be on stage to ensure our personal and professional life reflects encouragement?
1. Acceptance of our purpose to communicate through the written word.
- We are destined to entertain, inspire, encourage, teach, instruct, or share wisdom.
- We view our writing as a divine calling.
- We know family and friends may not support our writing.
2. Awareness of the world around us.
- We commit to keeping informed of what is going on in our communities and around the globe.
- We seek to offer hope in an everchanging world.
- We refuse to isolate ourselves and ignore other’s needs.
3. Determination to be involved continuously in sharpening our writing tools.
- We learn.
- We write.
- We edit.
- We promote.
- Repeat.
4. Joy
- We purpose to find joy in our writing.
- We embrace our writing even in times when we aren’t happy about rejections and edits.
- We delight in the success of other writers.
5. Love for our craft means perfecting our manuscripts.
- We are committed to submitting our best work.
- We aren’t slackers when it comes to editing.
- We do the work to ensure our readers are thrilled.
6. Passion to create a writing project that originates in our hearts.
- We allow the idea to enter our minds.
- We nourish the idea with the best way to present the project.
- We grow the manuscript into something we are proud to share.
7. Sacrifice
- We understand the time required to master our craft.
- We surrender our pride in order to write our best.
- We place priorities on our families before our writing.
8. Servanthood to our readers. We write for our audience’s benefit.
- The writer seeks to discover the needs, wants, and desires of readers.
- The writer writes to those needs within his/her genre.
- The writer doesn’t shy away from reaching out to readers.
9. Transparency to use our life experiences to benefit readers and writers. The writer knows, accepts, and practices:
- Our best writing comes from personal pain.
- Our worst writing happens when we refuse to address and find a solution for personal pain.
- Our life experiences lay the foundation to reach our writing goals.
10. Willingness to give back to other writers.
- We are not in this world to achieve selfish goals.
- We become involved in writing groups.
- We practice helping a serious writer move forward in their publishing goals and dreams.
Take a look at your writing. Are you encouraging your readers?
Comments 14
Hi DiAnn,
Thank you for reminding us of the mindset that reflects God’s grace and purpose for our lives as vessels in the Potter’s hands. I appreciate your comprehensive approach. Some of your points pinched a bit–a definite sign of the Lord’s hand on your life and mine.
God bless you.
Laura
Hi Laura, thanks for your encouraging words. Yes! Writing the article pinched me a bit too!
This is excellent DiAnn. I pray we encourage each other as well as our readers.
Thanks, Priscilla, we all need encouragement.
DiAnn, its your personality, heart and sincerity that touches me most about your Writing. I so missed hearing you Online at the recent WritehisAnswer Conference since I was away 3-Months for the School of the Holy Spirit in South India. Marlene was as kind and gracious as you to help me, so ill listen to the recordings.
A quote in the YWAM base here “Everything we do, teaches” impacted me. So like your Wtiting.
Lastly, a quote given to me in childhood by a Christian lady doctor (who passed). was: “Not only in words confessed, or deeds impressed, but in the most unconscious way is Christ expressed.’
Thank you for Writing, Teaching and impacting lives through much of what yoy say and do. Blessings!
Noel, thank you for your special words of encouragement. Just what I needed to hear this evening.
Thank you for sharing: “Not only in words confessed, or deeds impressed, but in the most unconscious way is Christ expressed.” What an incredible statement and words to live by.
May you be blessed in your service to God.
Great article. If any writers should be encouraging, it should be Christian writers. I remember what Karen Gaus said. “I write Happy endings because there is enough bad endings in life.”
A person who is discouraged doesn’t need to hear more discouragement.
Danny, I agree with everything you said. Life is scary and unpredictable, so let’s write stories that show how good always overcomes evil.
DiAnn, your writing certainly encourages me! While I’m being encouraged by other writers, it’s good to be reminded I should strive to do the same for others. I believe #9, in particular, should be a wake up call because transparency is not comfortable. Revealing painful experiences can bring healing, or it can bring renewed pain. We fear the latter, so we resist the former.
Peggy, transparency also has a line in which the writer can appear needy instead of showing the reader how to move forward. No matter how difficult a situation, a writer can show encouragement. Thank you for encouraging me!
All these insights weave together to create a writing and reading experience. There is no way to choose only one or a few. We need to reflect on all in everything we write.
Barbara, thank you for sharing your insight. Reaching others with our writing and our faith is what this life is all about.
While my writing is primarily nonfiction, although I’ve long dreamed of writing a great novel (Hemingway, I’m not), so many of your suggestions fit well with my writing style and genre. Thank you for such an encouraging post. Like you, I think, I try and write to an audience of One. If He likes it, then it’s His to use as He sees fit. God’s blessings sweet lady, and thank you for all your guidance and encouragement.
J.D. I love this: If He likes it, then it’s His to use as He sees fit. While we are talking about our writing, the statement is true of everything we say, think, and do for God.