Let me tell you how wonderful it is to gather online and write in community. If you have not joined us before, please know the door is always open and we would love to have you.

In the past month, there has been a wealth of writing tips that came to the surface as we shared our progress with one another. Most of the ideas have to do with generating writing which often feels like a sticking point.

Of course we want to share the collective wisdom with you.

But first, here is a prayer we prayed at the beginning of our last session. May God meet you in these beautiful words.

I mentioned last month that Marsha Crockett has created a visual board as she plans out her next book. She collected images that suggest the theme she is working with and contemplates the images as she writes. I suspect it becomes something like a pictural mind-mapping exercise which also incorporates some visio divina. I wonder if pictures can speak to us in ways that words can’t and lead us in unexpected directions.

When Cassandra is wanting to compose a poem, she journals about the idea first. She explores on paper, and through words the subject she is writing about. She then finds that the poem comes together more easily from the journalling.

Mimi tried out the suggestion, initiated by Mara Eller, to write one sentence per day. As she did that she found that inspiration often follows and more sentences are written. She attests to the fact that just showing up to the page daily, brought the words.

Alison L Bradley - in a brief moment jotted down a note of an idea for writing. Saved it for when she had time and found that words came.

Sue – writing my book manuscript became a day-to-day test of trust. I had a deadline and the number of reflections I needed to write. I had a schedule planned out, but ideally, I wanted to work ahead of schedule, as a safety in case life got in the way. But along the way I learned that I needed to depend on God for my dose of daily words. Much like our dependence on God for our daily bread. He was faithful to provide and I am grateful.

This whole writing journey I have been on has reminded me again of the Lord’s Prayer for Writers as found in A Writer’s Refuge: Prayers, Blessings, and Encouragement for the Writer’s Heart which Katie and I wrote 2 years ago. (Happy book birthday to us!)

Here it is, I hope you find it helpful for your writing practice.

Our father, the initiator of all of our stories,

you are over all the world and also beside me as I write.

May your name be made ever greater through the words I pen.

May these words point to the beautiful plans you have for this world,

How you are restoring all things even as things are restored in heaven.

Give us today our daily dose of words to be bread for our souls and the souls of others.

Forgive us for when we serve only ourselves.

Help us to love and serve our reader as you love us.

Let us not be tempted to write to prove our worth,

or for our own glory,

deliver us from this burden we pray.

You are the source of all our stories and our words.

May all the glory and honor go to you, where it rightly belongs.

Both now and forever,

Amen.

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By the way, one of our members, Lisa Crowder just released a set of sermon note journals for adults and kids. Check them out on her Substack.

The Writer’s Room will be open on Wednesday for those who are available. Join us if you have time. This is the perfect time to research, ponder new projects, write, or edit whatever is on your heart.

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