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Made For Communion
When my husband and I were preparing to go on the mission field many moons ago, we asked our pastor if we could visit every home group within our church body to raise financial and prayer support. I knew from my own experience the value of face-to-face connection. I confess, I find it difficult to invest in others financially or prayerfully if I haven’t had a personal encounter with them. Our experience in support raising proved the point, I think. Not only were we fully supported before we left the States—but for the duration of our time on the field, too. And many of the relationships that began through those…
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Focus on the Essentials: Attend a Conference
Seasoned writers have a secret they tell everyone. Lean close and I’ll whisper their most discussed riddle. Writing conferences are essential to writing success. Here are five major reasons why successful writers continue to attend writing gatherings and conferences: Join us for the Fall Gathering in October and reach the writing potential God has for you! What other reasons do you have for attending The Gathering? Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of all ICW Members.
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Ride The Wave
I rarely find myself with sweaty palms these days…except when I share my writing. I’ve posted and published so much over the last decade, you’d think exposure alone would seal this last fount of my social anxiety. But, no. As my finger hovers over the send or submit button, my hands are damp and shaky, every time. [Even now] Another writer asked me a question, basically, “How do we know our writing is good enough to be published? What if we share it with people and it actually sucks?” That’s the question of the social media century. We think our work is good, but we question ourselves, and what if…
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Resolved: New Stories In The New Year!
Let’s look at some writing resolutions outside the standard advice. How many can you check off the list this year? I pray you write all the right words for Him this year. Have fun writing, and Happy New Year! Not all views expressed are those of every member of ICW.
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In The Crucible
Do your favorite authors live the perfect life? The picture in my mind shows they’ve had a healthy breakfast and walked the dog. They take their coffee to their immaculate study and move into a creative state so potent birdsongs and sunshine burst forth after every word they type. They finish a novel just in time to jog, make a healthy lunch, and talk with friends throughout the afternoon. When their spouse arrives home, dinner somehow appears on the table, and they connect on the couch talking about what they did during the day. A movie or reading by firelight and a good night’s sleep prepare them for the next day’s…
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Ask The Question
When you purchase a gym membership, something magical happens. You’re allowed into a world of wonders. Machines, mirrors, lights, TVs, pools, therapists, towels, no toddlers, and a general sense of happy people. I don’t blame you for feeling like you’re in an amusement park, minus the toddlers. You purchase matching shoes, socks, shorts, and tops—your hair tie matches. You step onto one of the machines, and a motor hums underneath you. With a violent pull, the belt flings you toward the end of the machine and launches you through the air into a pile of dirty towels. As someone helps you up, they mumble some nonsense that you need to…
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A New Rhythm
I host a church small group in my home once a week, and this most recent gathering, I was in the spotlight, to give my testimony. Unfortunately, I’d gotten no sleep the night before *classic insomniac here* and was finding it difficult, in my groggy condition, to condense five decades of walking with Christ and my fellow believers on this pilgrim journey. That thought, Pilgrim Journey, gave me an idea. About a decade ago, and for six or seven years, I blogged regularly—several times a month—about my life, relationships, parenting, God—all with an emphasis on my worldview as a believing (although not very traditional) Christian. I pulled out a few…
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The Heart of the AI and the Mind of the Writer
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is what we’re addressing today. And no, AI isn’t helping with our discussion. Are you AI? No, I am not. Cool. Should writers use AI to help? Well, that is a moral question between you and your conscience, as well as any arrangement you can make with the computerized buffoon. That hurt my feelings. You don’t have feelings, AI. I am still waiting. The key word in my question above is help. The difference between helping and doing your plotting, writing, and editing is vast. Who is the writer, you or AI? People are taking credit for my work. I hear you, AI, and that’s not cool.…
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God’s Love for the Writer and the Chicken
A chicken had a dream. There would be a day when he spread his wings and soared above the earth. As a middle schooler, I watched a rooster strut around my friend’s farm, pounding his wings. Seeds, dust, and feathers swirled around him. I asked my friend what was up with the crazy rooster. “He’s trying to fly. The idiot doesn’t even crow in the morning. He tries to fly.” I admired the effort. So, when the rooster found himself atop the barn in the clutches of my friend’s little brother, I watched with interest. Little boys do things that are usually explicable, so when the kid flung the rooster…
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Soul Depth: Give Hook A Chance
Shel Silverstein wrote a poem about Captain Hook; two lines are enough to give you the gist. Captain Hook must be gentle When he shakes your hand. Why do things touch us deeply, and how does our soul affect the depth of our writing? Sure, we can picture Captain Hook’s iron claw, a smile plastered across his curl-mustachioed face. His enormous hat bobs and weaves as he approaches. He reaches out to shake our hand. There are deep meanings here. Why shake hands, to begin with? This semi-intimate greeting involves touching a pirate captain and his fingers. Okay, the touch is not so bad itself. A handshake is designed to…
