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| Gigi Devine Murfitt |
It’s
not easy being a writer. Sometimes, it’s even a bit scary. So, what do you do?
We’re here to help, and today Gigi
Devine Murfitt shares four important tips to hold on to when those nerves kick
in.
~ Dawn
Writing
as an Act
of Courage
Greetings Writing Friend,
I have not met a writer yet who didn’t say it took courage
to put pen to paper and tell their story. After all, it is scary to wonder what
your critique partners or best friends or potential readers will say about the
piece of writing you share.
“If we had to say what writing is, we would have to define
it essentially as an act of courage.” Cynthia Ozick
I remember creating a children’s book for my high school
freshman English class. This teacher, Mr. Crnich, loved the red pen and always
gave feedback on my work. I had a lot of fun writing my story of a sweet little
bunny who permanently scarred his bunny ear when a rose thorn poked a hole in
it. He had to learn to live with looking different. I loved my little story and
it took great courage to turn it in. Especially because I don’t consider myself
an artist and I illustrated it myself.
Had we not had that assignment, I may never have thought of
myself as a storyteller. But the encouragement from Mr. Crnich gave me the
courage to see myself as a writer.
Dictionary.com
defines courage as “the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face
difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear; bravery."
I often think of the cowardly lion from The Wizard of Oz when I think about overcoming courage to write one of my stories.
What did he do to gain the courage to approach the wizard?
- He admitted he was scared.
- He surrounded himself with encouraging people.
- He used positive self-talk.
- He was afraid, but he did it anyway.
When I was writing my first book, Caregiver’s Devotions to Go, I was afraid. Did I really have thirty
stories to tell? Would the editor like them? Would anyone read my book?
Here is what I did to get through to the end.
- I admitted I was scared. I asked for prayer to help with my fear.
- I met weekly with my friend and mentor, Cheryl Penn, and we talked about devotional ideas. I read her my work and she helped me polish the prose.
- I reminded myself that my stories matter and sharing them would help others.
- When I wanted to quit, I pressed on and wrote anyway.
Just today, I received a note in the mail from a reader.
Dear
Gigi,
I love
your book, Caregiver’s
Devotional to Go: The Women’s Devotions to Go Series.
Please
send me one more. I hope this money is enough. I saw you at Philipsburg,
Montana where I bought three at the After Five group. My mom, Frances Glynn,
Carol Bowen and I all love the book.
It’s
the best spiritual book I’ve ever read and I’ve never been much of a reader.
Carol has read it several times.
I don’t
have internet so that is why I’m writing you.
With
Love, Thank you, Sandra R. Matesich
If you are looking for courage in your writing, let me know
and I will pray with you. I’d like to suggest a book that might help. It is
called. The
Courage to Write [How Writers Transcend Fear] by Ralph Keyes – author of The
Writer’s Book of Hope.
May God Bless you with the courage to write that next
sentence.
Bless you,
Gigi Devine Murfitt
Caregivers’
Devotions to Go is for young moms, grandmothers, adult children and many others
given the charge of caring for another person. It offers encouragement for a
difficult task and gives both professional and family caregivers a breath of
fresh air to continue the assignment God has given them.
The
Scriptures and stories in this book encourage the caregiver as they receive a
blessing from the Lord for having a servant's heart. It helps caregivers know
they are not alone in the task set before them. It uses Scripture to help the
caregiver see those in their care through the eyes of God—as fearfully and
wonderfully made individuals.
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.
Connect with Gigi and learn more about her work by visiting
the following sites:
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/gigi.murfitt
Twitter: https://twitter.com/GigiMurfitt
