Jumping Into Writing, Part Two

By Lynn U. Watson

My guest author blog post from Friday continues, today. The Mid-South Christian Writers Conference weekend event concluded with wisdom from keynote speaker, Bob Hostetler.  

An award-winning author and literary agent, Hostetler challenged attendees to consider these questions: Why do I write?  What difference would it make if I didn’t write?

His examples imparted serious wisdom. I typed rapidly as Hostetler spoke desiring to capture the essence of all he shared. I’ve included a tidbit of his wisdom. These are not direct quotes that follow, but close, I pray. . .

What if the disciple John had not written? John could have concluded that there were three Gospels already, and another one was not needed. What could he add they had not already said? What if no one reads it? What if no one cares. What if others laugh at him because he’s an old man doing this? But he didn’t. John said “yes.”

Because John wrote we have the beautiful words that open the Gospel bearing his name: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God…” We have John 3:16, and the recording of Jesus’ miracle at the wedding in Cana. We know Jesus’ High Priestly prayer would have never been recorded. A rich treasury of John’s experiences with Jesus and His life would have been gone forever.

Similar things could be said if King David, Isaiah, and Solomon had not written. Think of lost poetry like the 23rd Psalm and deep prayers of David’s heart, the prophecies, and Godly wisdom. Beyond Scripture itself, what if men like Martin Luther, C. S. Lewis, Charles Wesley and Eugene Peterson refused to put to paper the words passionately burning in their hearts?

What if our stories are not written? What would the world miss? When we write for the right purposes, we share our passions and we touch the hearts of others. When we write for our readers, not for ourselves, we touch one life or many lives, but we have completed the task inspired in our hearts to be shared, and God receives the glory. When we write for any other reason, we work for wages far too low.

Our writing success improves (with eternal benefit) when we “fall deeply in love with our subject, not our words.”

As writers we face a solitary and often daunting task. But what if we don’t write? Many writing tips were shared in numerous workshops. I believe everyone attending the conference left at least a bit better equipped to put their words on paper.  

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Lynn U. Watson combines many years' experience in women's ministry, love of essential oils, and her passion for God's word to bring her readers freshly inspired encouragement for their walk with Jesus. Her devotional, The Essence of Courage, was recognized as a 'must read' by regional publishing industry leaders. Married since 1973, Lynn and Steve have filled their Bartlett, Tennessee home with handmade treasures and lots of love for family, especially their five beautiful (of course) grandchildren. Aromas of freshly baked bread often fill Lynn's kitchen. Jasmine, her tuxedo kitty, enjoys sleeping in Lynn's lap while she writes. Here is my website link: https://lynnuwatson.com/