Hope*writers sent out a list of writing prompts for the month of March and if any of you are writers, I encourage you to check them out! Some of these prompts range from "describe such and such an experience you had" to questions that will get the words flowing. I mean, the goal for these "prompts" is to get us writers writing. ;)
Today's writing prompt is: What makes you feel refreshed as a writer? (The answer and the depths that I went into surprised me!) Without further ado, this is for all you writer-friends out there! Several things can be factored into the answer to this question, one physical and one that has more to do with the words themselves. So, let's move on to number one. (1) Clear Thoughts Has your mind ever been so full of stuff that it felt cluttered? Welcome to a writer's mind. This is how mine gets, usually when I'm daydreaming about characters and different situations in the story I'm crafting, or when I'm brainstorming about which ideas could be combined into one logical story. I have found that, in the morning, my thoughts are less "muddled" and more likely to form logical ideas and words to put onto paper. For example, I'm writing my answer to this question, and it is mid-morning. Write at a time that works best for you. If your clearest thoughts are more towards the end of the day, write then. Do what works for you. What also goes well with clarity of thought is word flow. As a writer, do you find that your words are staggering along, looking for all the support they can get or are they flowing out like a strong current, so strong that you can't stop it? There have probably been times where you have experienced both of these struggles. Word flow that is like a current brings those word counts up faster and brings a sense of confidence as well. At times like these, you know you are called to be a writer. But how do you feel when the words are limp, lifeless, and so terribly dull? Not so good, right? Those "voices" of doubt, fear, and insecurity pop up to whisper in those moments. When I have to search and grapple with words to fill in that white space, I have realized that I may not be reading a lot. Writers--all writers--should read. Because when you read, the words build up in your head, descriptions and transitions come more naturally, and your own words will begin to sound more like a story again. Whew! That probably should've been a whole point in itself! Haha! ;) In summary, write at a time when your thoughts are clear and when your words are struggling, read, read, read! (2) Deep, spiritual impact. What are some of the most memorable reads from the past year that have stayed with you? It's likely you remember them because they had some sort of impact on you (and/or) your life. One such book for me was Amanda Dykes' latest one, "Yours is the Night." It gave me a deeper understanding of the Great War, the struggles soldiers have/could have gone through in that era, and an appreciation for the men who went to the front lines willingly. It impacted me in a deeply spiritual way through the symbolism of light (hope, good, love, etc.) in the midst of darkness (war, evil, sin, etc.) and how we all can fight for the light and bring light into our darkest days. What deep thoughts have captivated you and moved you to the very depths of your heart--your very being? Whatever it is that moves you, that hits you in the chest and leaves you breathless, write about it. I get excited when deep thoughts and life lessons seep through my writing. This way, I know it will have an impact on people--or even just one person. We all have these deep longings and yearnings of the soul and heart that are common with others we know. . . and maybe even those we don't know. So, how do you possess or get a hold of these "deep thoughts"? Think about your beliefs, your convictions, why you do what you do, and why you believe what you believe. Take a moment and sift through your reasons. An example of a common longing we all experience is this: we all want to be loved, known, seen, and heard. Yet, in this imperfect, sinful world we struggle to show these feelings to others. Others also struggle about how they can express these emotions toward us. . . and that results in some friction. And not only friction, but struggles, misunderstandings, fears, and frustration because no one seems to understand your desires. Write about a character that has struggles similar to the one I mentioned above. People will be impacted by that character because they relate to his/her struggle. With a lot of prayer and faith in our Almighty Author, I believe we can touch hearts and changes lives with our words. I hope this post has encouraged all you writers (and readers) out there! I'd love to hear what refreshes you as a writer. Feel free to message me or comment below!
1 Comment
Carolyn Oravitz
3/10/2022 08:30:05 am
Thank you, Carolyn, for such an interesting post on writing and the importance of getting ourselves in the right frame of mind to inspire others with our writing.
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AuthorHi! I'm Carolyn, a writer seeking to glorify God with my words. Archives
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