Writers
soon learn that getting to publication takes many steps, and that it’s one step
at a time. In early days of writing, there’s so much to absorb—show, don’t
tell; use active voice, good grammar and correct spelling; transitions from one
scene or thought to another. To a new writer it may seem overwhelming. And yet,
in time and with much practice, even the newer writer gradually gets those separate elements
together. With the help of an editor, the prose or poetry comes out looking
polished.
A serious writer is always learning,
striving for a stronger voice and a story that meets people where they are, and
so learning is never done. Some writers seem to develop a natural way with
words or a poetic or literary voice. And others, like my aunt who wrote poetry
for her own enjoyment, and shared it with family, are also writers.
Perhaps from a young age, a one-day
writer becomes adept at telling stories or standing up in front of friends
acting out imaginary scenes, then recreating them for a larger audience. Like
a nine-year-old I know who started her first newsletter recently that her homeschooling
Mom supervises. Her Mom put up a link on Facebook and then the publisher of the
local papers saw it and decided to include one of Rachel's stories in each edition
of its publication. Go, Rachel, go! I suggested that one day she might be on
the Youth Editorial Board for our regional paper. She continues to learn and that's good.
Life is a lot like that too, learning
one step at a time. I awoke one morning recently and the line of Kris
Kristofferson’s song, came to me: “One day at a time.” Just like composers of
song and story, we never do it all at once. A baby is born, and there’s much
for the child to learn. She sits up, stands, walks, says those first words, and
later communicates with others. She tries things out, and her family
learns in time what she does best.
After a long progression of words,
actions, songs, performances, you, too, arrive at the present moment, and it’s
as though all those steps were leading you there. You’re encouraged by your
family to keep going, or by others around you. Sometimes a road block stymies your
progress and stops you for awhile, and other times, you’re just not so sure of yourself
and your abilities.
Faith journeys are like that too. At
first parents and Sunday School teachers offer simple lessons,
such as God loves you, through song and Bible stories, and you go from drinking
milk (simple concepts) and eventually to eating solid food and digging into
the meanings of a messy life and God’s grace and how God loves
you, messy life and all.
Maybe you find release in resuming that
gift that was dammed up, and other times it’s simply daunting. One day at a
time.
As I tell my students in writing
workshops, “If you keep working at it, you get better.” And they do, because I
see improvement as they continue to write. In the same way, we
understand better, in time, the lessons God has for us and the gifts he gave,
and we continue to develop as his children, even when we’re all “grown up.”
If your calling is to write, then it’s
time to get started. If you’ve taken a hiatus for whatever reason, there’s room
to start again. Share what you know, where you are in your faith journey. Learn as you go and be persistent.
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