They are persistent. They are quick. And they always seem to get their bite.
As the weather warms, I’ll whip out bug spray and cover myself in stickiness to avoid looking like a fresh case of walking chicken pox. I’ve got to give it to those little bloodsuckers, they know how to get the bite at all costs, even risking death with one crushing blow. They might die in the end, but their lingering effect continues on for days, as I drown cotton balls in pink chamomile lotion and dab on my legs for temporary relief.
And what about the stink bug?
Those little guys are determined to find every nook and cranny in my house. The other day I wore my coat to a wedding and the lady behind me said, “Hold still. You’ve got a stink bug crawling on your collar.”
Those little smelly beasts succeed in driving us batty and if we even think about returning them to the outside, they leave a nasty scent for us to remember them by.
These relentless pests can teach us a few things about writing.
1) We should never give up
The persistent widow in the Bible never stopped. She had a mission and she planned to see her goal accomplished. In Luke 18:1-8, we see this woman continually going before a godless judge for justice. She did not stop and the judge gave her what she requested.
As writers, we need to go to God everyday about our writing journey. He’s our shepherd and knows exactly where he wants to lead us, but often times we ask more advice from others instead of asking for the One who can do something about our journey. We don’t see the widow go to anyone else but the judge, because the judge is the one who had the power to give her the request.
And at the end of this parable, Jesus says, “When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”
He wants us to come to him and keep asking.
2) We should take the risk
No one will ever be a published writer if they don’t try. That’s one accomplishment our mosquito friends seem to have conquered. They buzz in our ears and return time and time again until they sink their needle-like mouth under our skin.
I’ve got friends who talk a great game about being a writer, but unless we put the words on the paper, empty talk leads only to hot air … which brings back the mosquitos. Sigh.
We have to be willing to sacrifice other things if we want to succeed in writing. No ands, ifs or bites about it.
3) We should consider our lasting impressions
Like the stink bug, we need to leave behind a scent for future generations to remember. As long as it doesn’t smell bad. Our stories should stink of worldliness, but instead bring glory to God and build up mankind. Will our words encourage or tear down? Bring hope and light?
Words can destroy or they can strengthen others. I recently had a situation at work where someone asked for ideas about an issue. I had a thought and spoke up, only to be ridiculed. The first response made me never want to give another idea again. I was shut down. But then someone else kindly responded, “Actually that’s a good idea and think it would work.” With his words, he ushered in acceptance, life and hope. And that’s what we must give our readers.
So next time our pesky friends buzz in our ears, maybe we need to listen to their message … before we smack them into oblivion.
Words can destroy or they can strengthen others. @shannon_redmon @MaryAFelkins #amwriting #seriouslywrite #persistence
Like the stink bug, we need to leave behind a scent for future generations to remember. As long as it doesn’t smell bad. @shannon_redmon @MaryAFelkins #amwriting #seriouslywrite #persistence
Shannon Redmon remembers the first grown up book she checked out from the neighborhood book mobile. A Victoria Holt novel with romance, intrigue, dashing gentlemen and ballroom parties captivated her attention. For her mother, the silence must have been a pleasant break from non-stop teenage chatter, but for Shannon, those stories whipped up a desire and passion for writing.
There’s nothing better than the power of a captivating novel, a moving song or zeal for a performance that punches souls with awe. A rainbow displayed after a horrific storm or expansive views on a mountaintop bring nuggets of joy into our lives. Shannon hopes her stories immerse readers into that same kind of amazement, encouraging faith, hope and love, guiding our hearts to the One who created us all.
Shannon’s writing has been published in Spark magazine, Splickety magazine, the Lightning Blog, The Horse of My Dreams compilation book, and the Seriously Write blog. Her stories have been selected as a semi-finalist and finalist of the ACFW Genesis Contest and won first place in the Foundation’s Awards. She is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency. The StoryMoore Blog is named in memory of her father, Donald Eugene Moore.
Connect with Shannon:
www.shannonredmon.com
The StoryMoore Blog
Twitter @shannon_redmon
Check out Shannon’s story in a compilation with other authors published by Revell.
The Horse of My Dreams, available on Amazon
