From Edie: Learn how to recognize and embrace your unique writing gifts instead of comparing yourself to others. This encouraging reflection helps writers rediscover purpose, use their talents to serve others, and create with confidence during the season of giving.
Discovering Your Writing Gifts: Why Writers Must Stop Comparing and Start Creating with Purpose
by Lilka Raphael @Lilka_Raphael
How sad that we often diminish our best gifts by struggling valiantly to develop in someone else's area of ability. It is better to focus on your uniqueness and do that with excellence than to end up with mediocrity in several areas." ~ Dan Miller
Tis the season when gifts are exchanged in many cultures. Yet as writers, we often underestimate how we can use our gifts to positively impact other people. Some of us can turn a clever phrase. Other authors evoke extensive imagery with their words. However we choose to communicate, we should never lose sight of why we write.
In the business of writing and seeking publication, it is incredibly easy to compare ourselves to other authors. Aspirations to improve our craft can quickly morph into self-depreciating assessments. The quickest way to combat feelings of mediocrity is to recognize our own talents, develop what we have, and share them with others.
Sometimes recognizing what we have means identifying what we don’t have. My first writing aspirations were to write fiction—romantic suspense in particular. I managed to draft a manuscript that wasn’t half bad, but it was a struggle. Years later, when I was compelled to write once more, I haphazardly ended up writing devotions inspired by my garden. I could complete one in a matter of minutes. Furthermore, I found it enjoyable to encourage other people.
As writers, we are often taught to write what publishers want if we are to ever succeed. But success is relative, and our writing isn’t always about us. Years ago, I received a comment from a lady overseas. I’d written a blog post about grief during Christmas. After that interaction, I realized that I’d written that post specifically for her, a stranger living on the other side of the ocean. A few more exchanges like that one shifted my emphasis from publication to purpose. We can become so fixated on leveraging our gifts for earthly rewards that we lose sight of why we were gifted to write in the first place.
Consequently, my most satisfying work never garnered likes or follows. It was seen by only a handful of people. I’ve authored poems for memorial services and tributes for loved ones who passed away. I’ve drafted resumes for coworkers seeking promotions and replies to HR for people desperate to keep their jobs. I’ve written recommendations for graduate school and beamed with pride when my technicians completed those degrees. Ironically, my publishing opportunities increase each time I give my talents away.
The best gifts are offered with no expectation to repay. In this season as we celebrate hope and the gift of salvation for the world—let us give thanks for our talents and remember to share them.
And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh (Matthew 2:11 NKJV).
TWEETABLE
Lilka’s greatest achievements are her two adult sons who have flown the nest. Happily married for thirty-two years, she lives east of Atlanta with her husband, Rod. They now share their home with two German Shepherds—Holly and Ivy—and one naughty kitty, Moxie.
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