Does Reading Motivate You to Write? by Terri Weldon

Okay, I’ll confess, I love to read. So just in case I’m looking for a good excuse to read more books by great authors I wanted your opinion. Does reading motivate you to write?

Reading books is what made me want to try and pen my first book. I’d read a book and most the time I would lose myself in the story. Occasionally I would finish a book and think of things I would have changed (especially endings).

From there I took a leap of faith and developed my very own story idea. A story you will never read! A common occurrence or so I’m told. But I’ll let you in on a little secret, I still like the premise of the story.

Today I read as much if not more than when I began writing. I read in a wide range of genres and I still immerse myself in the world the author created. However, I find myself looking at fiction with a writer’s eye as much as a reader’s eye. More and more often I pick things I’d change. Oftentimes those changes lead me totally away from the book I’m reading and place me in full author mode. Before I know it, I have another book idea.

So tell me, am I just making excuses to spend more time reading? If not, leave a comment telling me how reading motivates your muse.

A Match Made in Sheffield — Natalie Benton bounced from one foster home to another until she landed on Ellie Alexander’s doorstep. Natalie’s vagabond childhood caused her to yearn for a secure life, which led to Natalie’s five-year plan: complete her law degree, marry the perfect man, become a partner at Montgomery, Haynes, and Preston, and produce one child. Getting arrested wasn’t in Natalie’s plan. Needing a public defender wasn’t in her plan. Falling for Grady Hunter, her public defender, definitely wasn’t in her plan. Can Grady convince Natalie there is more to life than her five-year plan? Is Ellie the only one who sees a future for Natalie and Grady?

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Terri Weldon is a Lead Analyst by day and an author by night. She enjoys gardening, reading, and shopping for shoes. One of her favorite pastimes is volunteering as the librarian at her church. It allows her to shop for books and spend someone else’s money! Plus, she has the great joy of introducing people to Christian fiction. Terri has two adorable Westies - Crosby and Nolly Grace. She is a member of ACFW and OCFW, a local chapter of ACFW. Terri is the award winning author of The Christmas Bride Wore Boots.

Bathroom Graffiti by Heidi Chiavaroli

"Randy loves Liz."

"Justin wuz here.

Sentiments of love, sentiments of hate. Desperation. Some simply expressing a desire to be heard long after they are gone. 

We've all seen the typical graffiti on those bathroom stalls. And although I've never been a graffiti offender myself, I suppose I can see the appeal in it...

The author is anonymous, and forever safe from hurtful judgments.

The words will be read.

Unlike a daily newspaper or monthly magazine, these words will last a bit longer. The writer has successfully left their one small mark on the world.

But do these words matter to the reader? Do they make a difference in even one person's life? Maybe...if you're name is Liz. ;)

As I ponder this, I can't help but realize that all my efforts, all my works—whether they be writing, being a “good” wife and mother, or helping my neighbor—are nothing but graffiti on a grimy bathroom stall if I'm not giving them over to God. Only He can make them useful in the grand scheme of things.

For this reason, I dig deep into my heart. Deeper than I usually want to. What is my motivation for what I do? For writing? For trying so hard to be a "good" mother? A "good" wife? For helping others?

Sometimes I don't like the answers I get. And if you're not ready for my complete honesty, read no further.

Often I find myself performing these works not for Jesus—and sometimes not even for others—but for me. My heart can be ugly. I want to look good. I want the best...after all, don't I deserve it?

Bathroom graffiti. All of it.

What I deserve is not what my Savior has given me. He's given me grace. He's given me mercy. I am nothing if it weren't for Him. And when I fall, it's Jesus's arms that catch me and my undeserving efforts.

As I continue to wade through my motivations and seek to be faithful, I have hope that He will use my efforts—even if they are as inconsequential as bathroom graffiti.

How do you consciously offer your writing to your Creator? At what times do you struggle most to do this?

Heidi Chiavaroli is a writer, runner, wife, mother, and grace-clinger—not necessarily in that order. Ever since taking her first trip to Plimoth Plantation with her sister, mother, and grandmother at the age of nine, she has been fascinated with history and its significance to today’s people and culture. Heidi is the winner of ACFW’s 2014 Genesis Contest, Historical Category. She lives in Massachusetts with her husband, two sons, and Howie, her standard poodle. Learn more about Heidi on her website: www.heidichiavaroli.com.