A to Z Devotions for Writers

Click to see/order at Crosslink

I am excited to announce that 
Pam Williams has just had her 2nd book, A to Z Devotions for Writers, published through Crosslink Publishing. It will also be on sale at Amazon and Barnes and Nobles in a couple of weeks.
 
The book, inspired by the A to Z Blogging Challenge, shares insightful devotions and awesome writing prompts! It is a must-have for every Christian writer who seeks God's will for their writing. 
 

A to Z Devotions for Writers by Pamela D. Williams
 

Do the ugly twins of Fear and Self-Doubt roar at you when you write? A to Z Devotions for Writers tames these snarling beasts! Armed with the sword of God’s Word, encouraging meditations, applicable prayers and “block” busting writing prompts, writers will move ideas from fleeting thoughts to grounded manuscripts.

You can visit Pam at her blog, 2 Encourage. 

Writing Prompt - The garden #3

Today's response to "The garden" writing prompt is from Pam Williams.

Photo by Dawn M. Hamsher, 2013

GOD IS REAL

A garden proclaims God is real.
The infinity of shapes—
Of blades, leaves, blossoms, seeds, and petals—
Reveal the presence of the Master Designer.
The spectrum of color—
Pinks, greens, blues, reds, yellows and browns—
Declare the creativity of the Artist.
The myriad of fragrances—
Lilacs, hyacinths, roses, freshly trimmed grass—
Attest to the skill of the Perfumer;
The symphony of sound—
The songs of the birds, the whirr of insect wings, and the roar of thunder—
All point to the Great Musician.
© 2013 Pamela D. Williams

Words that Sing Poem Series - Our Words

Art/photo by Dawn Hamsher, 2013

1st Writes did a study on "words that sing". It takes time and practice to find just the right word to get your point across.

 

For fun, we asked our writers to write a poem about words. I will share the poems this week. Here is the third one.

Our Words

We do not know just where or whom

Our heart-felt words might reach.

Our thoughts flow from our fingertips

To those we hope to teach.

A reader wrestles with our words--

They’re etched upon her mind.

God tiptoes by, inspires our prose,

Faith dawns and is refined.

As diamonds set in purest gold

Attract, intrigue, delight,

Words crafted by the love of God

Draw others to His Light.

©2013 Pamela D. Williams

Finding Our Niche: Opportunities for Christian Writers

Kim Carpenter

Ethel Herr, in her God-inspired resource, An Introduction to Christian Writing: An In-depth Companion to the Complete Writing Experience.: says that the highest goal of our writing ministry will always be to “see people transformed by the power of God through what we have written.”

As we craft our words, who do we visualize reading our work? To what niche is God calling us as Christian writers? Ethel Herr suggests asking ourselves a few questions to clarify God’s vision for our writing gift.

1. Will I write for the secular or Christian markets?
2. Will I write fiction or nonfiction?
3. Do I want to write as a general outreach to a wide range of readers or for a limited, specialized readership?
4. Am I seeking publication or am I writing strictly for personal use?
5. What form do I want my writing to take? A book? Articles? Stories? Posts? Dramas? Poems?

As we begin to write, Ethel suggests 1) writing in the form we enjoy as readers; 2) starting small—a devotional for a meeting, a short skit for youth group; and 3) trying a variety of forms.

Homework:

Pray first and then write a piece sharing God’s vision for your writing. Be sure to include your answers to all the questions above. Also share what writing form (novel, article, blog post, etc) you would like to attempt and what audience (children, youth, adults, women, pastors, etc.) you are striving to reach.