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

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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.

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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.

Five Things Writers Forget First - Part 1 - by Angela Breidenbach

Angela Breidenbach is a friend, fellow writer, and life coach. She also currently serves as Mrs. Montana International 2009. I was thrilled when she agreed to write a series for Seriously Write pertaining to self care. It can be easy for us to get so wrapped up in juggling everything we do, we forget that we also need to take care of ourselves!

During March, on Writer’s Journey Wednesdays, please join us for:

Part 1: I’m Using My Brain, Right?
Part 2: Mental Integrity
Part 3: Emotional Stability
Part 4: Spiritual Sense
Part 5: Courage & Confidence

Five Things Writers Forget First
Ways to write better, faster, and stronger

Part 1
I’m Using My Brain, Right?

Ever had pages and pages of drivel? It’s likely you forgot to take care of your physical well-being.

Yeah, so? It’s the brain that matters.

Exactly. We forget how important it is to be a good steward of our physical selves in order to be on top of our mental capability.

When our bodies run down so does our mental connection to creativity and logic. One of area that catches me regularly is forgetting to eat. Not that I don’t get hungry, but I get into a zone and want to keep going. So I’ll put off breakfast, then lunch, then suddenly I’m starving and will grab the very first easy to eat thing I can stuff into my mouth. Trust me, it’s not usually protein and yet that is a much better source to fuel the brain than sugar.

I noticed my mind wandering when I needed to meet a deadline. I noticed my attitude slipping over something I should have been excited. I begin to wear down and get a headache leading to distraction. I can actually go back and track when my writing begins to fall apart. You’ll never guess … oh, maybe you will. Right about the time my stomach started growling and my head started twinging. So was that really productive?

Let’s take a look at the demands we put on our bodies. Blood flow to the brain, oxygen, and nutrition are crucial to intelligent, creative thinking patterns. We need our hands and wrists to function for writing/typing, we need our derriere and lower back to support sustained sitting, and we need vibrant mental health for our creativity. So why act in less than intelligent ways to drag down the creative intelligence God gifted us with through the miracle of the body?

What are intelligent ways to write better, faster, and stronger? Fuel our bodies properly, stretch our muscles, and gird our loins. Lol, yes, I know that’s an old biblical phrase. But it means to strengthen our core. Huge importance needs to be placed on this simple advice. Does your back burn or ache? Do your shoulders feel clenched so tightly that concrete feels softer? All right, does your sitting spot hurt?

All of these are avoidable by breaking to eat and hydrate. Stretching out often will not only reduce muscle pain and soreness, but will lengthen your life by keeping joints supple. I actually record a 15-minute stretch class on TV every day. I break to do it now when I start to feel tension. Sometimes I’ll do several in a row. By building the strength and fluidity of my core body, I’ve surprised myself by how quickly I can reenter the writing zone with clarity and how much more confident I feel. It also helps me to not associate writing and physical pain. Ah, the mental side we forget so often. We’ll explore that element next week.

In the meantime, I’d like to challenge you to be more aware of the stewardship over your physical self because without proper attention, the breakdown of your body will create barriers to a clear head and effective writing. Do you really want to explain one day to God why you weren’t more effective with the blessing he gave you?

How can we be better stewards of the gift of writing? By caring for the physical house God put the creative brain and spirit inside.

Angela Breidenbach is Mrs. Montana International 2009 working with Hope’s Promise Orphan Ministries, the American Heart Association, the Jadyn Fred Foundation and drawing awareness to Fair Trade practices. Full Spirit Magazine’s president, Angela also teaches online classes in personal growth and powerful living. She’s certified in mentor/peer counseling as a Stephen Minister and Assisting Minister. She serves as the American Christian Fiction Writer's Publicity Officer (2009-2011) and is a multi-award winning inspirational speaker and author, writing freelance and inspirational non-fiction. Not only did she walk the hard line of deciding to donate her mom's brain, but she is also on the brain donation list at the Brain Bank-Harvard McLean Hospital. She is married, has a combined family of six grown children, one grandson.

Purposeful Living Educator & Coach.Come uncover your gems of wisdom at http://www.mygemofwisdom.com/Personal growth = Powerful living!

You can interact or learn more about Angela Breidenbach at these sites:

http://www.mygemofwisdom.com/

http://www.fullspiritmagazine.com/

http://www.angelabreidenbach.com/

http://godusesbrokenvessels.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/AngBreidenbach

http://www.facebook.com/AngelaBreidenbach

http://writingbyfaith.blogspot.com/ on Wednesdays each week.