Writers and the Artistry of Love

by Beth K. Vogt @BethVogt

I stumbled across a new-to-me quote and knew I had to share it with you this month, writer friends. Even as I type these first sentences, I’m still unraveling the beautiful truth hidden within the ten words of master artist, Vincent van Gogh.

“There is nothing more truly artistic than to love people.”

Ponder those words for a moment, fellow creatives. Reread them and allow them to strike a chord in your soul as they did in mine.

Consider the word “artistic.” It means imaginative and creative—and loving someone else in ways that build a lasting relationship, a long-term commitment, requires we go beyond the ordinary, doesn’t it?

But wait … let’s also remember we love because God first loved us. (1 John 4:19) God, our Creator (Elohim), created us to love Him and to love one another. We’re made in His image, and we reflect Him to the world through our actions and interactions with others.

Still with me, friends?

“There is nothing more truly artistic than to love people.”

Van Gogh was correct when he said loving people is the highest form of creativity because loving other people is the most beautiful, most caring way to reflect our Creator-God to the world and to fulfill part of our spiritual calling. 

Let’s think about that for a moment. How can we, as writing creatives, love others today? 

5 Ways Writing Creatives Can Love Others Today

• Write someone an encouraging note.
• Speak words of encouragement to a family member or friend.
• Offer our talents to someone in need—editing a scene or brainstorming back cover copy or offering feedback on a book cover.
• Mentor a newer writer.
• Celebrate another author.

No matter what you do—be you. Let your words and your actions reflect who God made you to be. Mixed with love, your actions will be certain to encourage someone else. 

TWEETABLE

Writers and the Artistry of Love from author @BethVogt on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Beth K. Vogt believes God’s best often waits behind the doors marked “Never.” She’s authored 15 novels and novellas, both contemporary romance and women’s fiction. Beth is a Christy Award winner, an ACFW Carol Award winner, and a  RITA® finalist. Her newest contemporary romance novel, Dedicated to the One I Love, released June 20, 2023. Her novel Things I Never Told You, book one in her Thatcher Sisters Series by Tyndale House Publishers, won the 2019 AWSA Golden Scroll Award for Contemporary Novel of the Year. An established magazine writer and former editor of the leadership magazine for MOPS International, Beth blogs for Learn How to Write a Novel and The Write Conversation and also enjoys speaking to writers group and mentoring other writers. She lives in Colorado with her husband Rob, who has adjusted to discussing the lives of imaginary people. Connect with Beth at bethvogt.com.