When I started
writing, I learned that I must show more and tell less. That meant describing
the places and people I was writing about. I worked on that and improved.
There were more instructions,
one of which was read a lot. No problem with that because I loved to read, and
so I read more of the genres I wrote in. More inspirational pieces, more
poetry, more children's books. I’ve learned from people further on in the
journey, writers who’ve paid their dues and worked hard to get to where they
are. Authors whose writing I enjoy, whether they’re household names or not.
It seemed I was
always hearing a new set of directives. At workshops, at
conferences, and from fellow writers. It’s like anything else, the more of it
you do, the more you study, the better you understand and process it. That
works for me, because as I write, I process information and figure out how I
feel. Well, maybe not hard science and math, because my brain doesn’t handle
those as well.
Then there’s the
matter of social media and promoting the books we write, whether alone or in
tandem with other writers. That’s a whole different matter. I have a Facebook
page and a website, which I also have invested in.
My current
learning curve, quite steep I might add, is moving a blog from one place to
another. After collecting the files, uploading them to the right place, I
learned I needed a new domain and I could have that within my website. And so I
did the work on my own of acquiring the new domain. That was likely the easiest
part.
I was already using that blog platform, so
once I can access the site, I may be home free. Well, maybe not free because I
had to pay for help, to actually get it up and running. Once I can get in — just
happened today — I can post again. It has
felt like quite a lengthy project between my work and my summer activities.
Being a Christian
is a process too, one where we get into it and learn along the way. A long way. We try to understand a teaching and put
it into practice — not always the easiest thing to do. Unlike paying someone else
to do it, we have to put in the time ourselves and ask for help when we need it. And we will eventually
learn if we just stick with it. We’ll learn what we’re able to absorb.
Our prayers may not always be answered as we’d
like — something I learned a long time ago — but they will be heard. And that experience
doesn’t stop me from asking again when I need wisdom or direction. Or to say thank
you for a prayer that's been answered.
We are assured that God loves us, that Jesus
took on our sin for us that we might be redeemed and forgiven. That part is out
of our hands, already done. It’s grace that makes it possible.
Carolyn Wilker is an author, editor and storyteller from southwestern Ontario. In her spare time she spends time with friends and family. Her trusty cell phone camera is ever ready for interesting new pictures.
Please note the new location of Carolyn's blog, Storygal. http://www.storygal.ca/
Stop by and leave a comment.
1 comment:
Always learning, growing and sharing — that's you, Carolyn! And, your sharing so naturally includes the spiritual and gospel element. Thank you. ~~+~~
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