“I have learned, on my journeys, that if I let a day go by without writing, I grow uneasy. Two days and I am in tremor. Three and I suspect lunacy. Four and I might as well be a hog, suffering in the flux in a wallow. An hour’s writing is tonic.” ~ Ray Bradbury

So many times we hear folks say, “I’d love to write but I don’t feel inspired.” The inspiration comes as we write, does it not?

One friend laments the time issue. According to her, writing is a waste unless she’s able to devote whole days to the process. Most of us learn to lay claim to smaller blocks of time or else we’ll never write. When I worked full-time (with way too much overtime) for 6 years, I still managed to blog and submit occasional articles. Not saying it’s easy. I’m just saying…

Another misconception: “If the writing is too hard, it’s not meant to be.” Not necessarily. Some will abandon a writing project once it involves discomfort. The reasoning? Too much blood, sweat, and tears. To quit is always a personal choice, but maybe we should count the cost. Because most writing in general includes grueling phases we’d rather not experience. But they pass. It’s good to remember that if the Lord calls us to write something down, we can absolutely trust His enablement.

Writing is not easy. And sometimes our misconceptions are mere excuses. Like a friend reminded me the other day, we’re either called or we’re crazy. I had to laugh. Yes, but moving past a few misconceptions will get us over the hump.

What writing have you put off for far too long? Why? I’d love to hear about it.

“When you embark upon creative work, it will push your personal boundaries. It will open up parts of yourself with which you have been unfamiliar. It will cause you to ask questions of your life. It will insist that you come up with names for things that until now you haven’t examined carefully at all.” ~ Vinita Hamptom Wright, The Soul Tells a Story

“Let all my words sink deep into your own heart first; listen to them carefully for yourself. Then, afterward, go to your people.” ~ Ezekiel 3:10-11, TLB

We write our experiences down too quickly sometimes. Certain events need to simmer. Particularly when we’ve been hurt.

Before we gain a right perspective, we need the Lord’s insight. Otherwise, our words aren’t ready. We need a certain healing before we tackle strong topics, or else we’re merely grinding an ax.

Yes, it’s still true - everything in life is fodder for the writer.

But all in good time.

“Where would art historians be if they knew nothing of the Bible? How much sense would Rembrandt’s Prodigal Son make without the story it illustrates?” ~ Sandra Glahn

My friend, LeAnne Martin, has a new feature at Christians in the Arts called the Roundtable. Recently she interviewed fiction writer, teacher, and speaker Sandra Glahn:

LeAnne:
Why do you think Christians should care about the arts?

Sandra:
The Bible is filled with places where we see God’s passion for art. In Genesis He makes the world, animals, humanity. In Exodus we see Him giving fantastic instructions for a beautiful tent complete with a wardrobe for those who serve in it. In Leviticus we see him creating all sorts of symbolic ways to express His holiness. Fast forward to Ezekiel or Hosea where we see him giving bizarre instructions to serve as object lessons…

For the rest of this exciting discussion, visit:
Why Christians should care about the Arts

~ ~ ~

LeAnne’s purpose for the blog is “to encourage artists who are Christians struggling to integrate their faith with their art.” She wants to help us understand the value of the arts in our own lives and in becoming more involved in the arts to help reach the world for Christ.

Meet LeAnne Martin
Link to Christians in the Arts.

“A word in season, how good it is!” ~Proverbs 15:23

“We ought to begin each day asking God to give us high expectations for every human encounter we experience. We should pray for alertness to the special opportunities God brings our way to give or receive encouragement through conversation. The words we hear and the words we speak often carry the seeds of life.” ~ M. Blaine Smith

Ah, so many points to ponder:

“There is a road from the eye to the heart that does not go through the intellect.” ~ Gilbert Keith Chesterton

“Taking joy in living is a woman’s best cosmetic.” ~ Rosalind Russell

“How beautiful the leaves grow old. How full of light and color are their last days.” ~ John Burroughs

“Beauty isn’t worth thinking about; what’s important is your mind. You don’t want a fifty-dollar haircut on a fifty-cent head.” ~ Garrison Keillor

“I know the world is filled with troubles and many injustices. But reality is as beautiful as it is ugly. I think it is just as important to sing about beautiful mornings as it is to talk about slums. I just couldn’t write anything without hope in it.” ~ Oscar Hammerstein

Good Monday to you! Writer Interrupted presents the Carnival of Christian Writers today, April issue. Enjoy.

A beautiful nugget from Candy Arrington , taken from Write to the Heart

“Writing is a ministry because it often involves time and effort with little compensation – at least in worldly terms. But there is certainly the reward of knowing that our words touch lives and write truth on the hearts of our readers. There is great freedom and fulfillment in being Spirit-inspired and directed. This freedom may even lead you to take risks in writing with a Christian voice in secular publications. There are many opportunities to minister to a hurting world. Enjoy the liberty of writing as the Spirit leads and watch as hearts are touched and changed.”

“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” ~ Psalm 19:14 (NIV)

Just received this from Carla Gade:

“April’s Carnival of Christian Writers is just around the corner and I just know that you all have some great posts to share! The sun is shining and the Son is shining in your writing experiences. Let’s hear all about it!

Just send along your link with a short blurb about the post. The carnival will be held at Writer Interrupted next Monday, April 27th.”

Carnival of Christian Writers Guidelines

Submission Guidelines:
Christian writers share in the craft of writing fiction, non-fiction, publishing, and anything else related to writing, including their faith. Post must address the craft, call, process, struggle, etc. of writing. Please email the coordinator a blurb about your post.

Email Carla:
carnivalcw@gmail.com
Carnival Coordinator

Recuperating from surgery this week, but haven’t forgotten about you. Got this from a friend today:

“I feel like my body has gotten totally out of shape, so I got my doctor’s permission to join a fitness club and start exercising. I decided to take an aerobics class for seniors. I bent, twisted, gyrated, jumped up and down, and perspired for an hour. But, by the time I got my leotards on, the class was over.”

I’m still laughing…