Into the Fire

Passionate thoughts about the world of writing and the Power of God

 

 
OpenOffice-Writer

 

Either you are or you aren't. A writer. Creative or otherwise. Yes or no. Enough of the foolish declarations and self-doubts, false humility, fearful murmurings of how you can't really call yourself a writer. Enough! Pick one: writer or not.

Being "published" does not define you. It no more makes you a writer than running makes you a marathon man/woman. If you're not a writer, what are you?

It's time. Writer up! Either be one or don't.

 

God, thank you for giving me the privilege of writing words in stories. I love writing. Thank you for all of it. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.  

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4 responses to “Writer up!”

  1. Brenda Anderson Avatar

    Challenge taken, Nicole. Guess it’s time to stop making excuses & get back to writing.

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  2. Nicole Avatar

    Getting back to writing is always good, Bren, but mostly by this post I meant to stop pussyfooting around about what to call oneself. We’re either writers or we’re not. You know? In many cases, we’re “pretending” to be humble by not calling ourselves writers. It’s pretty simple: if it occupies a substantial amount of our time, whether spare or full, if we complete works of some kind repeatedly, if it’s important to devote time, energy, creative attention, etc., to that which we put on paper/screen, if in some capacity we hope to see our work in a publicly-viewed venue, what else can we be? In other words: come clean, admit you’re a writer. Right?

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  3. Brenda Anderson Avatar

    You see, that’s been my question. Am I a writer? I honestly haven’t felt like one lately as I’ve had very little desire to write. I think all this extra build a platform & try to get published stuff has stolen the joy from writing. Any writing I’ve done lately has been forced & uninspired.

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  4. Nicole Avatar

    Bren, the industry steals the joy. The fact is you’ve written several novels, blog posts, etc. You ARE a writer. You’ve fallen subject to the professions of an industry that has grown somewhat stale and repetitious in its definitions and requirements. You and I both know of truly good, some great, writers whose sales have been dismal. No rhyme nor reason for that and the opposite has been just as true: major sales for writers we can’t even read because of the mediocrity of their writing.
    It’s truly up to the Lord what is done with our work dedicated to Him. It’s no longer ours. It’s a gift to us. We can use it to further ourselves or further an attention to Him. Write for you and Him. Take breaks until the desire returns and envelops you.
    You ARE a writer, Bren. And a good one.

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