I am not a writer, but I love words, the arrangement of words, the choice of words that writers use to express their thoughts and reach out to the reader. My mother said once that being the audience is an important job, and so I enjoy hearing in my mind, as I read your words, the beauty of your craft.--My own creative lure is art. On days and in seasons when I feel halted from putting the brush to the canvas, when I question why I try at all, I am completely at one with you as you feel the same sentiments about putting your words to paper. Then, there is that day, that moment, when the brush stroke touches the canvas "just so" and what is in my mind is actually there before me, and I say, "Thank your, Lord. I would bet that you know that feeling. In the process, to have a circle of friendship to encourage your craft, is a gift. Continue on, and I will read your words.
Whether your work is a cold cup of water or a well-aged wine, you need not be ashamed. Please. Offer what you've been given anyway. Someone is thirsty for it.
I squeak with Lori: to know you writers gives me chills! And warmth like whiskey, but longer lasting.
I love stories and as I read, I always feel this sense of awe that God himself poured this into the authors mind. I cry as I read them, kiss the pages, am bonding with the characters in order to heal myself by loving or hating the evil ones. And I'm like, no human could have thought this. It's too high too beautiful.
I think when I simply write anything I know it is not awesome or amazing or incredible. It is just words. Maybe not the best or perfect ones. But obviously, if I was inspired to write it, Jesus is behind it. He, for crying out loud, writes books all the time, recording, as in Malachi 4, every word of those who really love him. I don't think he cares at all how halting or clumsy my words of love to or about him are. See how dumb that sentence was? But I hope the meaning was still clear.
I've been so healed from so much terror through y'all's stories. I'm not kidding. And your dear comments to me about my little efforts make me cry. So much makes me cry. It's a beautiful cry. When tenderness breaks through.
I never expect anything to be published so I guess it's easier for me. But I think if y'all can see it's the message he wants you to say that it doesn't matter if it's supernaturally awesome. Moses stuttering still said Let my people go. And guess what? They did!
Thanks for being little Moses to me, all y'all. And letting me gush and gush over your beautiful stories!!! To know the authors gives me absolute chills! I cannot tell you the beauty they've poured over my life like that gushing oil over Aarons head, again and again as I remember the characters! Sometimes if a story or writing its too high or holy or eloquent I can't hear it well.
When I get stuck writing, I always say, Lori, just say it dumb. That unlocks me. Dumb still says it out loud. Maybe later I can make it lovely. But it's not about being a Marilyn Monroe. It's about being a sweet little humble lover of a beautiful Giver. And that's who the best stories were always about. I love y'all! Thank you for letting me squeak into this lovely place with you!
That idea isn’t too weird to write. Don’t edit it away in your mind before you even start typing. Write it and don’t delete it. See where that leads. Godspeed,
Such beautiful words! And even better, fellowship with these dear writers--and many others besides--who are living letters to me. I’m so grateful for The Habit Membership. I don’t think I would have the courage to keep writing without it!
This line, in particular, resonated deeply with me: "Let it speak to you alone as your liturgy in fiction." How often I've written things and wondered why I wrote them. Perhaps I'll now begin thinking of those musings as liturgies. Thanks to Tyler for writing that line and to Jonathan for opening up this important conversation.
This was fantastic, thank you so much for sharing. I've forwarded on to at least twenty writer friends, several of whom said it was a timely word of encouragement!
Well, if some line in each excerpt in today’s newsletter made me a little teary, this was a valuable idea, Katie Williams! Thank you, all, for these quiet, powerful contributions. Comforting to have secrets in common.
Your words spoke to my heart - I’ve been suffering from imposter syndrome and a feeling of ‘What’s the use- I’m not getting any where with my writing’ since the holidays began - you look forward to them but sometimes they become so stressful! This was the kick in the pants (pardon my language) that I so needed- I have renewed hope in my efforts. So thank you, thank you for the timely words!! See you soon in the Habit!!
I am not a writer, but I love words, the arrangement of words, the choice of words that writers use to express their thoughts and reach out to the reader. My mother said once that being the audience is an important job, and so I enjoy hearing in my mind, as I read your words, the beauty of your craft.--My own creative lure is art. On days and in seasons when I feel halted from putting the brush to the canvas, when I question why I try at all, I am completely at one with you as you feel the same sentiments about putting your words to paper. Then, there is that day, that moment, when the brush stroke touches the canvas "just so" and what is in my mind is actually there before me, and I say, "Thank your, Lord. I would bet that you know that feeling. In the process, to have a circle of friendship to encourage your craft, is a gift. Continue on, and I will read your words.
Dear Slow Writer,
Whether your work is a cold cup of water or a well-aged wine, you need not be ashamed. Please. Offer what you've been given anyway. Someone is thirsty for it.
I squeak with Lori: to know you writers gives me chills! And warmth like whiskey, but longer lasting.
I love stories and as I read, I always feel this sense of awe that God himself poured this into the authors mind. I cry as I read them, kiss the pages, am bonding with the characters in order to heal myself by loving or hating the evil ones. And I'm like, no human could have thought this. It's too high too beautiful.
I think when I simply write anything I know it is not awesome or amazing or incredible. It is just words. Maybe not the best or perfect ones. But obviously, if I was inspired to write it, Jesus is behind it. He, for crying out loud, writes books all the time, recording, as in Malachi 4, every word of those who really love him. I don't think he cares at all how halting or clumsy my words of love to or about him are. See how dumb that sentence was? But I hope the meaning was still clear.
I've been so healed from so much terror through y'all's stories. I'm not kidding. And your dear comments to me about my little efforts make me cry. So much makes me cry. It's a beautiful cry. When tenderness breaks through.
I never expect anything to be published so I guess it's easier for me. But I think if y'all can see it's the message he wants you to say that it doesn't matter if it's supernaturally awesome. Moses stuttering still said Let my people go. And guess what? They did!
Thanks for being little Moses to me, all y'all. And letting me gush and gush over your beautiful stories!!! To know the authors gives me absolute chills! I cannot tell you the beauty they've poured over my life like that gushing oil over Aarons head, again and again as I remember the characters! Sometimes if a story or writing its too high or holy or eloquent I can't hear it well.
When I get stuck writing, I always say, Lori, just say it dumb. That unlocks me. Dumb still says it out loud. Maybe later I can make it lovely. But it's not about being a Marilyn Monroe. It's about being a sweet little humble lover of a beautiful Giver. And that's who the best stories were always about. I love y'all! Thank you for letting me squeak into this lovely place with you!
Love you, Lori! 💖 I’m so glad you’re here.
Dear Writer,
That idea isn’t too weird to write. Don’t edit it away in your mind before you even start typing. Write it and don’t delete it. See where that leads. Godspeed,
Shannon
Such beautiful words! And even better, fellowship with these dear writers--and many others besides--who are living letters to me. I’m so grateful for The Habit Membership. I don’t think I would have the courage to keep writing without it!
This line, in particular, resonated deeply with me: "Let it speak to you alone as your liturgy in fiction." How often I've written things and wondered why I wrote them. Perhaps I'll now begin thinking of those musings as liturgies. Thanks to Tyler for writing that line and to Jonathan for opening up this important conversation.
This was fantastic, thank you so much for sharing. I've forwarded on to at least twenty writer friends, several of whom said it was a timely word of encouragement!
Well, if some line in each excerpt in today’s newsletter made me a little teary, this was a valuable idea, Katie Williams! Thank you, all, for these quiet, powerful contributions. Comforting to have secrets in common.
Dear Habit writer friends,
Your words spoke to my heart - I’ve been suffering from imposter syndrome and a feeling of ‘What’s the use- I’m not getting any where with my writing’ since the holidays began - you look forward to them but sometimes they become so stressful! This was the kick in the pants (pardon my language) that I so needed- I have renewed hope in my efforts. So thank you, thank you for the timely words!! See you soon in the Habit!!
Susheela