Sunday, August 11, 2019

The Things We Authors Must Learn





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/ 
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1 comment:

Peter Black said...

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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