A Dozen Blessings of Newspaper Writing

by Julie Lavender @JLavenderWrites

Headlines for the month of November encourage us to count our blessings, an exercise that behooves us twelve months of the year. Occasionally along the writing journey, we’re prone to celebrate and give thanks for the end product – the byline, the print magazine in hand, the final copy of that coveted book. 

But there’s much to learn along the way, many opportunities for thanksgiving, blessings just waiting to be acknowledged and celebrated.

I’ve shared my love of newspaper writing and tips for getting started as a freelance newspaper stringer over several columns in The Write Conversation. I am honored and blessed to contribute local, faith-based, godly stories in my hometown newspaper, The Statesboro Herald. 

Newspapers are rife with current events that aren’t always positive and uplifting. Yet, that’s what most newspapers publish as “important,” national events that need to be shared. But readers want to see stories of inspiration, success, encouragement – “good” news – of folks from their own community and neighborhood.

I’ve amassed a number of blessings from my journey as a freelance stringer, way more blessings than credits thus far. And you can, too.

I love encouraging others to consider adding that title to the writing resume. An online writer friend who lives outside of Atlanta took the challenge. Word Weaver member Ethel Lytton recently sent me this sweet note: “Thank you for the articles you have written about writing for newspapers. I began writing a column for my county newspaper in September. I write about my town’s activities and the surrounding area. This includes the homeschool community. 

“Recently, I got to write about a grandchild’s accomplishment! Writing is so fulfilling. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ENCOURAGMENT IN YOUR ARTICLES.”

Her words brought tears to my eyes and were more valuable to me than an above-the-fold newspaper byline! A welcomed, November treat to add to my list of blessings!

Join Ethel Lytton and me in earning stringer credits, and you can assimilate newspaper blessings, too. Check out my list below of by-products from newspaper writing that I’m counting this month as Thanksgiving blessings. 

With newspaper writing, I’ve learned to:

Tackle “writing tight.”

Hone valuable editing skills.

Accumulate bylines quickly.

Network with fascinating members of the community.

Kickstart platform and name recognition.

Share “little” stores that might otherwise go untold.

Gain experience writing on deadline.

Inspire readers with positive, encouraging, faith-based stories.

Value local stories of God’s work in the community.

Incorporate original articles in other outlets.

Notice and acknowledge community members of faith.

Generate income, albeit minimal, at times.

What about you? Pick an aspect of your writing—blogging, article writing, devotional writing, fiction/non-fiction writing, novel writing, children’s writing, networking, speaking—and join the conversation below. Share what makes you most thankful about that part of your writing journey. 

I’ll start with a blessing unrelated to newspaper writing—I’m especially thankful for the fellow writers I get to meet, whether online like my friend Ethel or at conferences or other locations. The camaraderie and encouragement is unparalleled to other acquaintances.

This month, my dear writer friend, Michelle Cox, and I have the blessing of the release of a co-authored, Christmas devotional with BroadStreet Publishing. Come and Behold Him offers readers brief, thought-provoking devotions to keep Christ the focus of the busy holiday season. This book wouldn’t have been possible without the friendship we initiated at a Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference and the relationship we’ve shared since then, and for that, I’m forever grateful!

Happy Thanksgiving! “In everything, give thanks…” 1 Thessalonians 5:18 KJV

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Julie Lavender loves an excuse for a celebration, and the month of November reminds her to count blessings all the way to the Thanksgiving feast with family and friends. She is especially grateful this month for two book blessings: the recent release of Come and Behold Him, a co-authored book with Michelle Cox, prolific author who pens the When God Calls the Heart series, devotional books based on the content of the television show, “When Calls the Heart.” The devotional is available at Amazon, Target, and bookstores. And, the manuscript for her first book with Revell Books, Baker Publishing Group, is due on November 15 to editor Vicki Crumpton, whom Julie first met at Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference three years ago. 

Besides writing for her local newspaper, Julie contributes to Guideposts Publications, other magazines, a couple of homeschooling blogs, Just18Summers.com, and many compilations. Combining her education degree, love of homeschooling, and joy of celebrating, Julie wrote a devotional entitled, 365 Days of Celebration and Praise, a party planning book called, Creative Sleepovers for Kids, and three teacher resource books for the religious division of Carson-Dellosa. Julie and David are enamored with their four adult children, one son-in-love, and one gorgeous grandson. Keep up with Julie on social media and at her blog at julielavender.blogspot.com.