Why Write?

Edie here. Today I'm very excited to have the author of the new book, Damn Shame, with us today. Curtis H. Tucker has the pulse on the church community (and those beyond) when it comes to our struggle with shame. He's also got a lot to share in regard to the writer's life, so I'm hoping you enjoy getting to meet him. 

Why write?

Why Write?

by Curtis H Tucker @MavMinister 

Write a blog for a blog about writing. I’m sure I'm not the first person to be caught by the paradoxical nature of this idea: write about writing. This could go any number of directions. But for me: To write or not write, that is the question. 

I don’t write to meet expectations or deadlines (except in this case of writing about writing). Maybe it's just me, but deadlines and expectations don’t help me. 

Are You Taking Care of Yourself as a Writer?

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

Writing is hard work.

Beyond the physical part, it’s emotionally taxing. We pour our hearts and souls into the words we arrange into stories, articles, even blog posts. We spend time and money learning how to write, constantly improving our skills.

Then, we take a deep breath and share our words with the world. So often that world can be less than kind. To face the tumultuous life of writing, we have to take time to nourish the writer within.

Today I want to share some tips you can use—even if life is crazy—to feed your writer’s soul.

When Writers Should Just Be Quiet

by Eva Marie Everson @EvaMarieEverson

I live in the Orlando area.

A week or so ago, we endured the most awful few days I can remember in a long time. Sure, in 2004 we were hit by three of the four major hurricanes that nearly beat our state to death. We lived without water. Without electricity. And we did so in hot and humid conditions.

But this … these events—the murder of Christine Grimmie, the mass shooting at Pulse Nightclub, the alligator attack and subsequent death of little Lane Graves while vacationing at Disney with his family—took us by surprise. There were no warnings. No one on The Weather Channel told us to baton down the hatches.

Simplify Your Online Presence

By Penny L Hunt @PennyLHunt

Like many beginning writers, speakers and entrepreneurs I went a little overboard creating clever domain names, websites and e-mails. I had different business cards printed for each website but was never sure which card to hand out when, and often left potential clients as confused as I was. Back at the office keeping up with all the websites and e-mails became a total nightmare. Clarity with consistent follow-up became an impossible task. I still cringe thinking of lost opportunities.

I’ve Attended a Writing Conference. Now What?

by Lori Hatcher @LoriHatcher2

If you’re a serious writer, you know the value of attending writers conferences. The combination of training, networking, and inspiration is like gasoline on a campfire for a writer’s career. Last month God blessed me with the opportunity to attend one of my favorite conferences, the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference.

For four days I attended classes, met conferees, and brainstormed with industry professionals. Now that I’ve come down from the mountain, it’s time to get to work. The time and money I spent will do me no good if I don’t apply what I’ve learned.

Maybe you haven’t had the opportunity to attend a conference this year. Or perhaps you have, but are struggling to implement what you heard. As I wrote my To Do list, I thought it might be helpful if I shared it with you.

We are Equipped

by Henry McLaughlin @RiverBendSagas

God has a will, a plan for each of us. Psalm 139:16 (NLT) tells us, You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.

Each of us is on this earth for a specific reason. We may not know it completely right now. We may be in a season of preparation to enter that calling. But God has a plan for each of us.

Some are called to be pastors and teachers, some doctors, lawyers. Some to be auto mechanics, electricians, and plumbers.

Some, like myself, are called to be writers.

In Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT), God tells us “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

Whatever our calling, God will not just throw us into.

Whatever our calling, God will not just throw us into it, like throwing a toddler into the pool so he is forced to learn to swim.

He prepares us.

What makes the preparation fun, and at times frustrating, is that it’s uniquely different for each of us.

One person may go through an entirely different set of life experiences than me, yet end up as a writer. I think this is another example of how God cares for us as individuals. He has a unique and personal relationship with each of us. We are all His favorite child.

And he equips us.

How to Help a Writer Brainstorm

by DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills

Writers of all genres welcome brainstorming sessions. 

The opportunity to discuss new ideas and solve problems in a creative environment is an amazing resource. Our minds kick down the doors that hold our imaginations captive, and the result is a collective stroke of genius.