Author: | Nola | Published: | over 9 years ago |
---|---|---|---|
Tags: | creativity, calling, motivation, encouragement, inspiration | Category: | Writing tips |
When I was in the fourth grade, I wrote a story that included the immortal line, ‘I like my mother because almost everything I ask for I get’. My list included a Seekers’ music book, a Mary Poppins record album and a bookcase. More than 40 years later, I still love books, music and my mother, though my writing is a little more varied. Poetry, songs, true stories, Christian inspirational pieces, magazine articles, and short fiction all get the chance to run around my literary track. I’ve even started a novel. With such a smorgasbord of writing pursuits, however, it’s easy to lose sight of the overall goal. Why do I write?
I can honestly say it’s not for the money. It’s nice to be paid for something I’ve written, but I don’t have delusions of becoming the next J. K. Rowling or Stephanie Meyer. Unless of course I can somehow work a wizard or vampire into my parallel narrative about a shipwreck on Sable Island.
I think my motivation is closer to that expressed by Stephen King: ‘Writing isn’t about making money, getting famous … or making friends. In the end it’s about enriching the lives of those who will read your work, and enriching your own life as well’ (From On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft).
I want others to laugh or be enthralled or caught up in a creative web of intrigue. I want to share something that’s touched my life in the hope that it will also touch others. I want to comfort, instruct, confront or get people thinking about different possibilities. All of these in turn impact me. I perk up when I write a funny piece, I feel challenged when I debate a thorny issue, I learn something when I write an instructive article, I gain a greater understanding of a situation when I process it on the page.
Writing is not something I have a choice about. I feel that I have been called to write, but it doesn’t stop there. I’ve also been called to encourage others to write. Everyone has a story inside just waiting to burst out, but it sometimes needs a little prompting.
In my weekly blog posts, I’ll be discussing tips to help others on their writing journeys. I’m not sharing these tips because I have it all together as a writer, but because I’m still on that learning curve myself and want to share what I’ve discovered so far. Will you come on the journey with me? Let’s encourage each other to be the best writers we can be.
In the meantime, I’d love to hear what motivates you to write.
Comments read 12 comments
Looking forward to learning from your journey.
Thanks Cathie, though it's definitely a two-way learning journey.
It's so good to see you and Tim doing what you love, Nola. They say that's the secret of life (whoever they are) - if what you do for work is what you love, then it doesn't really feel like work. That's not saying that writing isn't 99% dedication to the craft. It is...but it also energizes and inspires us; so unlike the effect of a daily grind at the office. Looking forward to sharing the journey.
Thanks for that Melinda. You're so right. I certainly had lots of great experiences in my old job, including meeting you, and I still love teaching. But it had gotten to the stage where my heart really wasn't in some other aspects of the job. I've been a creative person since I was a toddler, so it's been great to get back to my roots these last 7 years and nurture that side more. We're really grateful to God for the way this opportunity has worked out and we're looking forward to seeing where it will lead. Looking forward to journeying with you :)
Love to share the journey. I promise I won't ask 'are we there yet?!' To be on the journey is to be there.
Thanks Wayne. You know more than most people what a journey it has been so far. Thanks for your support. And I'll have to keep nudging you about your own writing too. I've really enjoyed what I've read so far.
Loved your blog Nola. I totally agree with what you say - it resonates with why I write as well. God has called me - and because He created me - He has created me to be an Image bearer like Him. I am so blessed to be able to share my life with the world through the wonderful medium of words. (Words and words are all I have to take your heart away! :))
I love the quote you shared too - very apt it is.
I look forward to your posts and know I will learn a lot from you. Congratulations on being brave enough to take this momentous step forward - I know God is cheering you on as I am too.
Blessings my friend. xoxo And may you continue to flourish! :)
Thanks for that encouraging word Anusha. I know you have a very similar calling and you've blessed many with your blog too. I've really admired your persistence in getting your blog out there every Monday come rain or shine. I hope I can learn from your dedication and manage to get my post up every Tuesday :) Take care.
Hi again Nola,
Glad to hear you hope to have your blog up each Tuesday. I shall look out for it. All the best with it. You will do well I know and bless many (including myself) :) God speed and enjoy your blogging journey! xox
Thanks Anusha. I'm hoping others with also share some of their tips. I don't think we ever stop learning about writing. Thanks for your encouragement :)
As a non-writer, I am enjoying reading your tips and suggestions
Thanks Nancy. I really appreciate you taking the time to comment. It's all part of the journey. Hopefully I'll be able to share a few things I've learned, but I know I'll also learn from all of you.
Comments for this post have closed.