Critique
Founded in 1997, Word Weavers International is dedicated to providing a forum for Christian writers to critique one another's work in a face-to-face format, whether in a traditional chapter or in Word Weavers' unique online "pages," so as to improve craft. Writers of all levels are welcome.
Events
Each October, Word Weavers International holds an annual event, Florida Christian Writers Conference, for writers at every level. FCWC is held at Lake Yale Baptist Conference Center, which is nestled in the splendor and majesty of a large cluster of live oaks and a wide sparkling lake to bring not only writing instruction but spiritual refreshing. Word Weavers provides scholarships to members and nonmembers alike.
Community
By holding monthly meetings, providing constant contact through news blasts and our newsletter, and by use of social media means, Word Weavers offers its writers a sense of community. Word Weavers is highly recognized within our industry, its members respected for their professionalism and work.
So, you're a Christian writer. Congratulations on both counts, seriously. Both require knowledge, dedication, and commitment. But one leads to heaven through grace—God's gift to you—your writing is your gift to God. Christ's suffering and sacrifice on the cross is unfathomable — all sins, for all people, for all time. Many of us consider our writing to be a marathon of suffering — writer's block, isolation, self-doubts, rejection, no way to get published and the list goes on, and on. Whatever a writer goes through on earth regarding writing is inconsequential. Give God your best, leave the outcome to Him.
Before we go on, we should agree on the term Christian writer. On the one hand, a person could be a Christian, saved by grace writing secular novels, or Christian writing to show God's grace, love, and power. Or both efforts. In any event, God can use your writing to change lives for eternity.
Have you ever asked yourself the question, how do I know if God has called me to write? But a more discerning inquiry might be — "Did God ask me NOT to write?" (Erin Taylor Young). In a thought-provoking workshop at the February 2021 West Coast Christian Writers Conference, Ms. Young touched hearts and souls as she answered this "NOT" write question.
You doubt. God's never spoken to you. You don't know how to write. You have self-doubts, worries and terrors you can't even describe. Most of us have never had a mountaintop experience leading to salvation, but God saved us anyway. For me, it was Billy Graham on television when I was a child. For others, an altar call, Christian camp, a close friend sharing the gospel. Most of us have not heard the voice of God telling us to write (or NOT) but he wants us to write anyway.
Consider this verse from Isaiah:
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. Or as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts" (Isaiah 55:8-9 ESV). God loves using people, often those who doubt their skills and abilities. Whatever your background, your ability, your level of faith, if you want to write, write. If you think God is leading you, better yet, write. No reason not to!
All well and good if you're a beginner, but what if you're a seasoned writer, successful, published, not successful, can't get a contract, doubting. You think, God never called me to write in the first place and I'm wasting my time. Not so my friend, writing is discipleship. It is no different than praying, Bible study, fellowship. You still doubt, you can't get published, so how can your writing change lives for eternity? Perhaps God needs to change your life first, or again, whatever your writing history has been. How do you know what God wants for your writing?
Maybe this list will help:
1) First Pray
2) Search Scripture
3) Seek advice from people you trust
4) Consider a different genre or market (e.g., YA or magazine article)
5) Pray your writing is pleasing to God
6) Write something
7) Realize you may never know God's will for your writing, but if you are seeking to honor Him, you are fulfilling His will nevertheless
For me, from childhood salvation to the age of threescore and ten, I did not write but served my family and church, worked hard, went to college and law school at night, but never, never, ever felt called to write. Then, that changed. God did not talk to me, but I had a clear leading. Write a novel, not just any novel — one dealing with sexual assault. Why me? I have no idea. I had never written any fiction. Where to start? On the Internet, of course. Retired and on a fixed income, I took every free workshop and low-cost course I could. I had no skills, none whatsoever, so I read and studied and wrote, badly at first, very badly.
Thank God for TV, Billy Graham, and the Internet. I can't say I followed the seven rules listed above. I didn't. I was so excited, I just started writing. Eventually, I began praying God would bless my writing and please Him. I was God's coworker, and I was writing for the two of us. An apprentice, as it were.
One day the Lord may consider my writing and declare, "Well done, good and faithful servant" (Mt 25:21 NIV). May it be so for both of us. But for now, keep writing, good and faithful servant.
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Rich Ellis is a retired military physician assistant (PA) and judge whose writing reflects his careers, faith and life experiences. Some years ago, he was a gentleman rancher who raised donkeys. Now he is a book reviewer and mentor living in Fresno, California with his wife Renee and dog Baxter.
He is a member of Word Weavers Online Groups, Page 11.