Friday, February 3, 2017

Writing is a Gift

by Bruce Brady @BDBrady007

“Writing is an extreme privilege but it’s also a gift. It’s a gift to yourself and it’s a gift of giving a story to someone.” – Amy Tan

Amy’s words reminded me the Lord has blessed me with the privilege and gift of writing. It’s in my blood. I must write. Oh, I can ignore it for a season, but I can’t quit.

And I don’t want to.

You see, I loved creative writing as a child and young man. I read more than most. Constantly created stories in my head and acted out most of them with my friends. Books, movies, and TV were my passions.

But when I attended college, I allowed financial pressures to steer me toward a degree and career in business. I wasn’t walking with God. Personal recognition, a hefty bank account, and expensive things became my focus. I spent the next 30 years chasing those things by making career choices that seemed the best way to achieve my goals. However, I fell short of reaching most of my goals because I was never really happy with any job I had.

During most of those working years, I was saved, but more of a church-goer than a man of faith. I’d forgotten my love for stories, and mostly used my creative talents to make one more sale.

Fortunately, the Lord didn’t give up on me. In 2006, He blessed me with cancer. I say blessed because I was forced to rely solely on Him for healing. I even bragged about Him to my doctors and nurses. I not only relied on Him, I developed a passion for knowing Him as well as anybody could.

In the fall of 2010, my love for Him was rewarded when the Music Minister of my church asked me to write a dramatic script to accompany the annual Christmas Musical. This re-ignited my ardor for creating stories that would touch hearts. The musical was a success and afforded me the opportunity to pen four additional scripts to accompany the Easter and Christmas Musicals for the next two years before a family illness demanded my attention.

It also led me to a wonderful group of writers who met at my church to share knowledge, and critique one another’s writing. Their loving, but honest criticism of my work taught me so much that I expanded my writing interest to include additional media. I went on to have an article published by a major periodical, and a devotion published by a well-read online publication.

At that time, my wife and I were in our eighth year of teaching children’s Sunday school. We love children and want them to know about God before they have too much worldly baggage to overcome. That’s why I decided to write a middle-grade novel.

Amy’s quote ends with the statement that this gift we have is meant to be given to others as stories. Stories that I believe should not only entertain, but also inform, uplift, and offer hope.

These are my reasons for writing. What are yours? Let’s keep the conversation going in the comments.

TWEETABLE

Bruce Brady is an author, writer and playwright. His work has appeared in Focus on the Family’s Thriving Family, www.ChristianDevotions.us, and on stage. Currently, Bruce is working on a Young Adult Novel about a boy who must deal with the death of his dad, being bullied, and helping his mom through her grief. His first five pages took third place in the ACFW South Carolina Chapter’s “First Five Pages” contest.
When he’s not writing, Bruce spends time learning from and helping other writers. He serves as Mentor of Word Weavers International’s Online Chapter, and as a member of Cross ‘N’ Pens, The Writer’s Plot, ACFW’s National and South Carolina Chapters.

“My dream is to entertain my readers and give them hope as they travel the rocky road of life.”

21 comments:

  1. Beautifully written, Bruce. I love hearing your heart. Like you, I am a writer because that is what God wants me to be. But writing is more than being obedient. It's all too easy too disobey and go don something else. Writing is a calling to use the gifts and talents he's given me to reach people. I firmly believe there are people only you can reach and other people only I can reach. Writing, at its core, is an act of love and of faith.
    Thank you for sharing, Bruce. I am eternally grateful our paths have crossed.

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    1. Thanks, Henry. I agree with you wholeheartedly. I look forward to completing my own manuscript and reaching the children and their families that God intends me to. I, too, am grateful God put you in my life.

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  2. So nice to be reminded. Thank you Bruce.

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    1. Hi, Vanessa. Thanks for taking the time to read it. Good to hear from you.

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  3. Beautiful testimony Bruce. Thanks for sharing.

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  4. Thank you Bruce for sharing God's love through you. I didn't even consider writing until He told me to write a Christmas book for Him. He's still asking me to write and opens doors or windows to keep me on the path.

    I pray God wants to keep you writing and witnessing for many years to come.

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    1. Thank you, Jann. I appreciate and accept your prayer. I also pray the same for you. Keep on keeping on. God bless.

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  5. What a blessing! God also used a rock-bottom kind of situation to woo me to Him, and I'm eternally grateful. I write because I feel God has placed that desire within me. Besides spending time with family and friends, there's nothing else I'd rather be doing. Prayers continue for you, my friend. Hugs from the upstate. :)

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    1. Thanks, Cathy. I miss you all. Hopefully things will settle down here soon and I'll be able to get up there for a visit. Is it the 3rd Thursday you all meet? God bless you.

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  6. Thank you Bruce for sharing your journey so beautifully. I write because I want to help others see the treasures God brings out of the dark places, the secret places of suffering, in our lives. Through the words He gives me I pray others will know God knows them and calls them by name. Blessings to you today.

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    1. Thank you, Danetta. I know what you mean. I can't write if I can reach out to my readers for God's sake. May He bless you for many more years with the call to write.

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  7. At first, I wrote to gain perspective; I was going through a time of deep depression. This was personal journal writing. Then, I felt the need to write poetry. I have since written some Christian plays that my church has permitted me to direct. We, at one time, had an active Drama Ministry that utilized my skill as a writer, especially for short Easter plays. I also write a blog and contribute to an online Christian website. I want to share God's love with all who search for Jesus.

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    1. Thanks, Cecelia. It's exciting where God takes us, isn't it? The most fun I had was writing and directing my plays for my church. And though writing a novel is daunting in comparison, I'm enjoying the process. Keep following His lead.

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  8. Yes.And it's easy to forget that. Thanks, Bruce

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    1. Hi Marcia. It's great to hear from you. It IS easy to forget. This post came from His reminding me through Amy's quote that I am supposed to write for Him. It came at a time when I was wondering if I should take a very long break. Thank you for stopping by. I miss you and the group.

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  9. Great post, Bruce. I'm like you. I can step back for a season but then I must return to my writing. That, or little, jotted down notes of ideas are going to pile up! I write for publications for children as well as adults. My greatest passion lies in encouraging others to grow strong and courageous in their Christian living.
    Bruce, may the Lord continue to bless the work of your heart and hands.

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    1. Thanks, Sally. I remember your talk at the Write to Ignite conference a couple years ago. Your passion shows. And thank you for your prayers. They're helping. God bless you.

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  10. Beautiful testimony! Thanks for sharing. Write on--

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    1. Thank you, Annie. I appreciate your stopping by. God bless you.

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  11. So very true. God never forgets to encourage our God-given gifts!

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