Soul Care for Writers by Edie Melson

Edie Melson

Oh, friends, we're in for a treat today! Raise your hand if you've ever been burned out in your pursuit of your calling. Yeah, I see those hands in the back. (waving at you with my own raised hand) This fall, I learned about a book written by today's guest that has helped me find rest in the middle of the mayhem. Perhaps Edie Melson's advice will help you as well. Read on! ~ Annette

Soul Care for Writers

By Edie Melson

Those who write have opened themselves to specific stressors. We pull from what’s inside us to create a gift of words. Our specific goals and dreams are as varied at the words we use. But ultimately I believe we each fight this battle to bring forth words to make the world a better place. We are hope givers, joy bringers, and light shiners.

To do this though, we must have something to pull from. Writing is an exhausting endeavor and we cannot do it effectively when the well is dry. So we must constantly return to the One who understands us—and our craft—best.

God is the ultimate author, and it is His inheritance that we showcase when we put pen to paper. God planted a seed in each of us that bears the fruit of words. But this seed must be nurtured—shaded in the healing covering of His presence and watered by His spirit and His word.

It’s not always possible to stop in the middle of chaos and retreat to a place of peace. But we know from Jesus’ example that He often walked into chaos and brought peace. We carry His strength with us, so in the midst of deadlines, family struggles, even writer’s block we have that same inner core of peace inside of us. We just need to bring it to the forefront.

Tips for Soul Care When Chaos Threatens 

1.      Stop and Pray. I always pray before I begin writing—whether it’s an email, social media update, blog post or my current work in progress. In the spirit of transparency, you need to know that it took me way too long to develop this habit, but it makes all the difference. 

2.      Take a creative break. I know, deadlines are looming and it doesn’t feel like you’ve got thirty seconds to spare. But taking five minutes to reignite that creative flame may save you hours of work.

•  Free write using a writing prompt
• Download a coloring page and spend five minutes playing 
•  Write out a Bible verse on a piece of paper. Doodle around it and add color, underline words that speak to you.

3.      Take a walk. Not only will it get your blood pumping, it will get your creative blood pumping. When you return from your walk, take an extra couple of minutes and write down what you noticed on your walk. 

4.      Turn up the music. When I need creative inspiration, music is one way I get that. I may turn up praise music and sing along, or movie themes and do a little (very private) dancing. 

5.      Pull out your camera. I’m also a photographer and something magical happens when I take time to view life through the lens of my camera. It helps me remember to filter out and focus in on what’s important. It doesn’t matter if you have a big professional camera or are using your cell phone. The effect is the same. 

6.      Write in a different place. Go to a different spot in your house. Visit the library (if you like quiet) or a coffee shop.

There are many things that deplete our creative energy, both outward and inward. We must be responsible to take time to renew our reserves and reconnect with the One who called us to this endeavor. When I take time for soul care, I reconnect with God. It’s during these times of closeness, His Spirit floods mine with truth. It’s the truth of who I am and more importantly—Whose I am—that brings me relief.

Now it’s your turn. How do you nurture your writing soul? Leave your thoughts in the comment section below.

Blessings,

Edie

~~~~~

Soul Care When You're Weary by Edie Melson

Soul Care When You're Weary

Our lives are busier each day, and the margin we have available for recovery and peace is shrinking. Edie Melson helps you find Soul Care solutions using devotions and prayers and opportunities for creative expression. She has learned that sensory involvement deepens our relationship with the Father and gives rest to our weary souls. She will teach you to tap into your creativity. Reconnect with God using your tactile creativity. Warning! This book may become dog-eared and stained. Draw in it. Experiment with your creative passions. Learn the healing power of play. Allow God’s power to flow through creativity. Soul Care When You’re Weary will become your heart treasure.

~~~~~

Edie Melson is a woman of faith with ink-stained fingers observing life through the lens of her camera. As an author, blogger, and speaker she’s encouraged and challenged audiences across the country and around the world. No matter whether she’s talking to writers, fellow creatives, or readers, her first advice is always “Find your voice, live your story.” Her latest book, Soul Care When You’re Weary is available online and in bookstores. Soul Care for Writers will debut in May 2019.

Her blog for writers, The Write Conversation, reaches thousands each month and has been named to the Writer’s Digest Top 101 Websites for Writers. She’s the Director of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference, Mountainside Marketing Conference, and Soul Care Creative Conference. She’s on the board of directors for the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association and the Social Media Director for Southern Writers Magazine. She’s also a regular columnist for Just18Summers.com and PuttingOnTheNew.com. Connect with her on Twitter and Facebook.

Recharging

Hey everyone, it's our last Net's Notations Tuesday. Annette here. Don't worry. I'll be interspersing my thoughts and articles/devotionals among other Mixing-It-Up Monday posts in the future. Today, let's talk about rest.

It’s summer! Time to think about packing for some getaways. I always take the same journal with me on vacation. It’s a guided journal for Christian creative types. Every summer, year after year, I jot down my entries. The rest of the year, I don’t even touch it. There’s something about beach lounging and creative writing that refreshes me. How about you?

What refreshes you?

And why do we wait until summer before we take much-needed breaks?

Recently, I found myself in Seattle for an entire day. No laptop. Spotty internet access on my smart phone. Few options. But I had my Kindle with me, with the Psalms from the Message Bible, and I had my homework with me. (I’m taking a class through church.) Between the two of those books, a tiny conference room, a gorgeous view of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains, I spent some glorious hours with the Lord… recharging.

He knows I’ve spent 10-12 hour days in my writing office lately.

He knows last weekend didn’t include the usual rest (awesome church activities kept us busy).

He knew where to lead this daughter, even when the plan surprised me.

He’s our Shepherd, our Good Shepherd, and He will lead us “beside still waters” and He will “restore our souls.” Even when we don’t realize where He's taking us.

Then, the day after that surprising Seattle trip, He gave me a fantastic idea for a future project.

Refreshing leads to new creativity. And writers need that downtime to recharge in order to keep working those brain muscles we creative types overwork. *wink*

So, how can you recharge? Doesn’t have to cost anything. Just visit the local park, take a walk someplace inspiring, go swimming. Give yourself permission to get away from the computer, the deadlines, the routine. Watch for opportunities to recharge. Don’t be frustrated when things don’t go your way. He’s got something planned, some surprise He’s working out. Go with Him. Trust Him. Let Him recharge you.

Refreshed by God Series: One

Refreshing
Refreshed by God Series One

Net's Notations Tuesdays

It’s vacation season, or you could call it summer. *grin* Where is your favorite place to go? Kids are out of school, weather turns nice. You get away.

Well, now that summer is winding down, are you planning any last minute trips to get away?

One summer, we took our usual trip to a favorite spot. Whole family piled into the van and off we went with gear galore. (the only way to travel)

As often happens, I anticipated great inspiration and some downtime to write while away. So, my laptop was tucked into the van as we headed out.

We arrived at our location, unpacked and settled in. Kids trucked down to the beach. Husband grabbed a good book or some other project and it was time to write! Unpack the laptop, search for the cord. No cord. Uh-oh. Really? No electric cord? No way to recharge my elderly battery which cannot hold a charge no matter what I do? Drains in about 2.5 minutes. Ugh! I forgot my cord.

Then I hear God tell me He wants me to truly relax. To set the computer aside. (I don’t write without it—i.e. paper and pen—too frustratingly slow.) To rest. To relax. To let Him refresh me.

What a concept—take a break!

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters. (Psalm 23:1-2)

Thing about that beautiful passage as it relates with our being refreshed—we have to follow the Good Shepherd as He leads us to destinations meant to help us relax. Can I hear an Amen?

Suppose I had grabbed a pen and notebook and hid in the back bedroom and defied the gentle command to rest? Welcome, resentment. Welcome, bitterness. Welcome, frustrating vacation. But I didn’t. I recognized the loving care of my Shepherd and actually took a much-needed break from writing and its stressors. Sat in the sunshine. Communed with family and the Lord. Journaled. Rejuvenated.

A true vacation.

Is God gentling drawing you away for some R&R? Follow. You’ll be glad you did.

God's Promises to Writers Series

Refreshing
God's Promises to Writers
Net's Notation Tuesdays

The afternoon I’m writing this, sunshine streams in the window of my writing office. Wind chimes and flower pots dot the yard around me. It’s a lovely, peaceful time. But sometimes I need refreshing where my writing life is concerned, too. I’ve taken on the Novel Track: Writing challenge which ACFW is sponsoring in July. It’s been fantastic, very rewarding, encouraging, and exhausting. *grin*

You set your own goal, so it’s partly my fault—I understand this. Still, I push myself to write 2500 words a day, five days a week. Guess what? A couple Fridays ago, I got behind. Then, I spent that following Sunday night playing catch up. I needed refreshing.

Here’s God’s promise to us weary writers:

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. (Psalm 23:1-3)

So, I have a refreshment tactic. I find my guided creative writing journal and snatch a pen and go sit in my prayer garden. Now, this works best in summer, so it needs modification other times of the year. But it’s helpful to just sit somewhere and listen for God.

Other times, I’ll even remain in my writing office, but with the Bible open beside me. Sharon Hinck, a dear friend and fellow author, suggested praying through a Psalm a day. I took her words to heart and have established a specific journal I use in my writing office. Being in God’s Word refreshes me. He’s the ultimate Author and His Words live.

If you’re a weary writer—whether due to waiting or writing or editing or hurtful reviews or whatever, run to God and ask for His refreshment, then position yourself to receive it. Become an empty vessel by laying aside everything to receive what He has for you.

Refreshment is one more of God’s promises to His writers.