Becoming a Middle of the Pack Writer

Edie here. I'm so thrilled to introduce you to my friend, Starr Ayers. Not only is she an excellent writer, she has a wonderful blog and is an amazing photographer. I know you're going to love her, so give her a warm TWC welcome!

Becoming a Middle of the Pack Writer
by Starr Ayers @StarrAyers2 

My memories of grade school are sketchy, but I do recall a first-grade writing assignment.  Our teacher passed out ruled sheets of handwriting paper and told us to print our names on the first line. How hard could it be, right? With a pencil as thick as my thumb and my tongue thrust between my teeth at just the right angle, I scrawled my name with broad, deliberate strokes on the top line of my paper. As my teacher ambled through the rows of students, she gave nods of approval―until she came to me. With a scowl, she eyed my name written on the first line of the top margin, instead of within the first two lines, and with a gruff reprimand gave my blonde bangs a quick yank. No wonder it’s taken me over two-thirds of my life to realize I’m a writer. If not for that early trauma, I’m convinced I’d be a New York Times bestselling author by now.

Although I’ve written in a journal the majority of my adult life, I’d never thought of myself as a writer. I simply did what came naturally. I have drawers of journals spanning several decades that shelter great portions of my life. Thumbing through their pages, I warmly recall long-forgotten events and am reminded of the importance of writing things down.

My journals are places to record significant events, tape special cards and photos, sort through my thoughts, and process my feelings. Above all, they’re places to pour out the fountain of my heart to God and record his words to me. The ability to look back and remember his faithfulness encourages me as I take on new challenges and remind myself that what God did before, he can do again.

In 2011, a dear friend invited me to a writer’s conference in the mountains north of Phoenix. There, surrounded by a small group of women who shared a passion for God and writing, I uncovered my gift and love of words. To discover this incredible skill and hear God’s call in the winter of my life was exhilarating, yet bittersweet. The more I learned about writing, the more I realized there was so much more to know. I wondered if I’d have enough years to perfect my craft. My redemption was—it’s never too late to experience the joys of writing and to leave a positive impact. Even, if I only write for an audience of one, the benefits of my time alone with God are worth it.

Writing is therapeutic and invigorating. It brings healing to my body, mind, and spirit. Just as I need physical exercise to stay in shape, writing jumpstarts and gives my brain a workout. It refines my thoughts, flushes the slush, and permits those things worth keeping to rise to the surface.

The greatest temptation and hindrance to my growth as a writer is to fall into the comparison trap. Reading the brilliant works of others should serve as a path of inspiration and learning. But there are times when my inner critic shrieks, “You’ll never be good enough,” then ushers me down the boulevard of discouragement to leave my voice of reason sprawled in the ditch of despair. The urge to choose an alternate route and bypass the gift within me seems a plausible solution, until I remember anything worth doing takes effort, and the rewards are always great.

Keeping a steady pace in the midst of my struggle and remembering to be grateful for the privilege of writing are keys to releasing a spirit of joy. Regardless of the route I take, I’ll always be where I need to be―in the middle of the pack. When I look ahead, I see throngs of people on the trail before me. I work hard to catch up. As I look behind me, I see those who need words of encouragement. I drop back to offer them. And as I look from side to side, I realize I’m not alone and reach out. Others walk beside me, ready to give me a hand up whenever I stumble. I'll take it. Perhaps, somewhere in the mix walking hand-in-hand will lend support for them too.  

Writing may be a solitary journey, but it’s not a solo sport. We don’t need to walk alone. As for me, I’m learning to like being in the middle of the pack. Perhaps, you will too. We’re in great company here.

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"Writing may be a solitary journey, but it's not a solo sport." Wisdom from @StarrAyers2 on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Starr Ayers is a third-generation artist, award-winning writer, avid iPhone photographer, Bible study leader, and speaker.

She began her writing journey in 2011 and cut her teeth on learning the craft through writing devotions. She’s a contributor to two published anthologies: Hopelifter: Creative Ways to Spread Hope When Life Hurts, and Reasons to Smile, Celebrating People Living with Down Syndrome, and writes a devotional page for Thrive,a monthly magazine distributed throughout central North Carolina.

Starr is a member of a Word Weavers online critique group and attends several Christian writers conferences each year where her devotions and unpublished novel have garnered numerous awards. She is represented by Cyle Young of Hartline Literary Agency. 

She lives with her husband in North Carolina, and they have two adult daughters and a son-in-love. 

You can connect with Starr via her website at www.starrayers.org,Twitter:  https://mobile.twitter.com/starrayers2, or Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/starr.ayers.9