Top takeaways from 2023
In 2023 I attended 2 writing conferences, participated in 14 online webinars, and read countless “how to” books with the end goal of improving my writing. During the recent Christmas season, I paused to admire the decorations and was reminded of a handful of written and spoken words that have impacted my writing during the past year.
I want to share three of my most memorable takeaways from 2023. While the three deal specifically with the craft of writing, an application can be made to many areas of my life, and hopefully, to your life as well.
JOY…
Go and change the world.
Write the book you’re supposed to write.
Write what’s in your heart.
And enjoy the journey.
- Michelle Medlock Adams
In October of 2023, I attended the Florida Christian Writers Conference. There, Michelle Medlock Adams (author/speaker/journalist) was the instructor for authors (and aspiring authors) of children’s books. In her typical up-beat style, Michelle concluded the fourth day of class sessions with an inspiring challenge to all her students.
Go and change the world. Write the book you’re supposed to write. Write what’s in your heart. And enjoy the journey.
En-JOY the journey. (emphasis mine)
Hmm…
Do I find joy in my writing journey? Even in the mundane parts of the process? Even in the days when I struggle to write one complete sentence? My answer to these questions is a resounding yes. I do enjoy writing. Truthfully, not every single minute of every single day is fun, but I do find great joy in the majority of the process.
Like everything in life, the writing journey has its peaks and its valleys, its blue skies and its stormy days. These ups and downs are a reality.
Life is short. This is also a reality. If I did not eagerly jump out of bed each morning ready to write (and illustrate), I would choose to pursue a different vocation.
Love what you do; do what you love.
Love…
Better to write what you love and then seek a home for it than to try to come up with a clever idea to get published.
- Laura Oliver
from The Story Within, p. 200
I was privileged to meet Laura Oliver (author/writing instructor) at the 2023 Bay to Ocean Writers Conference. She led the final class session that I attended that day. And what an amazing session it was! Laura introduced me to a world of writing genres—flash fiction, micro memoir, braided essay. I was excited, maybe even overwhelmed, by all the new information. It was a lot to absorb in only fifty minutes. At this point I decided it would be prudent to purchase and read Laura’s book, The Story Within.
It turns out that this was a wise decision.
In a book jam-packed with Laura’s insight and knowledge of writing, it’s difficult to choose only one sentence to share. But I suppose the following statement has had the greatest impact on my writing.
Better to write what you love and then seek a home for it than to try to come up with a clever idea to get published.
It’s true. If I write what I love, it will be obvious to my reader. If I don’t write what I love, that will be obvious, too.
Can a 50-minute class change the trajectory of a writing career? Yes, I think that it can.
FAITH…
Photo credit: Alicia Brady, 2023
We are not called to be successful; we are called to be faithful.
- Michelle Cox
Last fall, I met Michelle Cox (author/speaker) at the Florida Christian Writers Conference. Michelle gave introductory remarks to those of us who were first-time conference attendees. It only took one sentence from her mouth for me to realize that this lady was either raised in western North Carolina or eastern Tennessee. (To my delight, she’s from western NC.) Her unmistakable southern drawl was music to my ears!
During Michelle’s opening comments, she shared much practical advice for making the most of our conference experience. And she made one statement that—well, it “stuck” with me.
We are not called to be successful; we are called to be faithful.
As a Christian writer, my primary objective is not to make tons of money or to become successful as the world defines success. Instead, my goal is to be faithful to God.
Faithfulness to God in my writing—a worthy goal for each day of 2024.