Writers in the Spirit

Writers in the Spirit: Inspiration for Christian Writers
by Carol J. Rottman, Ph.D.
FaithWalk Publishing 2004

I brought this book home from the local library. But my left arm had to hold my right arm down to keep from writing in it.

So I  bought my own copy.

Eleven chapters burst with inspiration in the form of essays, meditations, scripture references, quotes, tips, writing challenges and prayers. Designed to provide motivation and encouragement.

Some quotes from Carol:

"'Incarnate' is a better word for what artists do than 'create.' They make something out of other somethings; they are the great recyclers of this world."

"Two things help me get unstuck when the writing stalls: Taking a power nap (putting my head on my folded arms at the desk until they tingle) or taking a walk . . . Two things don't help: eating and fretting."

Note: That's the only way I can nap. Else I'm done for. And I guess I need to take the M&M's off the desk.

"More of us are writing, but most are not writing very well."

"Dear God, I praise you for putting desire in my heart to try what seems impossible. When I am weary and faint--inspire me again. Amen."

"The task of a writer is to soak up dibs and dabs of this and that, swish them around in the mind, and slowly release words or marks in a thin stream across a page."

"The breakthrough came when I finally moved aside and asked God to break into every part of my life and work."

"There are days when I seriously wonder if I should be a writer."

"I will starve if reading, writing, and prayer are not everyday meals."

"Really, Lindsey Jo, I'm sixty years old and have just begun to express myself through writing."

"Throw yourself into writing about something you love, or fear, or loathe--and feel the fervor."

"As with blood delivered right into the vein, words can fix a system gone awry. Words beget thoughts like plasma generates new blood cells."

"Merely thinking about writing will not produce a single word. Endless speculation may actually block writing instead of promoting."

"Perhaps a great, great grandchild will, someday, find my words and know me."

"Recently I was reminded that St. Paul would never have written the letters to the churches if he had not bee incarcerated and unable to preach."

" . . . circle all words that pad or puff up your writing and delete them."

"A writer must work out of what is--not from ideal circumstances."

Some quotes from others:

" . . . I suspect that maybe God speaks to us most clearly through his silence, his absence, so that we know him best through our missing him." ~Frederick Buechner

"You must lurk in libraries and climb the stacks like ladders to sniff books like perfumes and wear books like hats upon your crazy heads." ~Ray Bradbury

"This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words." 1 Corinthians 2:13

Yep. Some good stuff in here.

Copyright © 2010 by Sandra Heska King