 |
| Gigi Devine Murfitt |
One of
the things I love about writing is that I’ll continue to be challenged no
matter where I am on my journey. There
will always be more to learn and ways to improve. Author Gigi
Murfitt understands the importance of gleaning knowledge about our craft,
and she shares some of the ways she’s been able to do that herself. Enjoy! ~
Dawn
The
Writer as the Forever Learner
My desire to write started many moons ago. I've been taking
writing classes and attending conferences for more than ten years. I published
my first article, A
Devine Christmas Thank You, on the front page of a Montana newspaper as an
assignment for an online class. Thus, began my publishing journey.
As a forever learner, I’m always looking for ways to improve
my writing craft. There are classes available online and at our community
colleges. Initially I took classes on location at Cascadia Community College in Bothell, WA.
I also studied in the Jerry Jenkins Write for the Soul Apprenticeship Program.
Although that program is no longer offered, Jerry offers some great classes on
his website.
Education to Go offers a
variety of writing related classes for a little over one-hundred dollars. Udemy is another place to find online writing
classes. If you watch their sales, you can get some good deals. I snagged a few
classes for $5.00 each during their Black Friday sale.
I'd have to say one class changed my life. It was a Writer’s Digest University
online class. It involved writing seven-thousand words per week for five
weeks. I critiqued the other students’
assignments and anxiously waited for them to critique mine. It was intense.
At the time, I was drafting my memoir. In this manuscript, I
wanted to convey the hope I have found in Christ during many different trials
my family faced over the years. The instructor informed me after my first
assignment that I made Christianity sound too easy. When she asked me why I
kept going back to my volatile college boyfriend, I told her I really didn't
know. She advised me to take time to learn why or my story would not help my
reader.
After I finish the class, I started on a quest to journal
the difficult seasons of my journey. Using the feeling word lists from my
counselor, I dug into the emotion and the “why” of many chapters that had
formed my story. I'd have to admit this was the most challenging summer of my
life as I worked through the emotional baggage I had stuffed to move beyond the
pain.
In the process of getting my story out on paper, the true
healing began. Since then, I can write more intimately and clearly about the
things that have formed me and helped my relationship with Christ. I learned to
allow the Lord to help me process the broken places in my soul.
My prayer for you is to lean in and listen as you write. The
Lord might have a message about something you have chosen to leave out of your
story. I hope you can take some of the writing classes mentioned above.
In future articles, I will share more of my writing as a
healing journey and keep you informed of classes I have found helpful.
(Gigi will be back on January 13!)
There is no better way to process your thoughts and connect
with your inner self than to journal. This helps to experience the blessing of
clarity and peace in your life.
In our busy days, we often forget to stop and reflect. Just
Journal is the perfect place to give voice to your thoughts and imagination or
release the negative hurts you may experience. It includes:
- Lined writing pages to record your thoughts, hopes, and dreams
- Space to draw or doodle or mind map plans, goals, and ideas
- Journal theme ideas and word lists to help kick start your journal writing
- Inspirational quotes throughout
This journal can also be a place to celebrate small steps or
big victories as you walk out your days. No matter what you put into this
journal, it will become that priceless non-judgmental friend.
Gigi Devine Murfitt writes
and speaks about some of life’s most challenging topics. Raised in a single
parent home with nine siblings, and the mother of Gabe, whose story of being
born with three inch arms has inspired millions, she has served as coach, encourager,
and support to many throughout her life. Sought out by those facing all kinds
of hardships, her passion for over forty years has been going deeper with God
by journaling to connect the events of her life with the promises of His Word.
You can connect with Gigi and learn more about her work by
visiting the following sites:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gigi.murfitt
Twitter: https://twitter.com/GigiMurfitt
