Do you have a strong desire to write about Jesus, what He has done for you, and what you have learned from His Word? I do, too. But good intentions alone don’t make me an inspiring writer. I’ve studied writing since I started blogging in 2017, but that doesn’t mean I’ve reached success – yet.
In fact, I need lots of encouragement and guidance. I collected some quotes and advice that encouraged me to keep working at it, and working at it is the only way to get better. I hope these insights and tips will encourage and help you, too.
“In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well … If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging.” Romans 12: 4-8 NLT
He is at work on your behalf, not to make you a best-seller, but to make you the best tool for His work… It’s about obedience. About writing, because that’s the task He’s given us. It’s about seeking to serve Him and others through the gifts He’s given us.
~Karen Ball
“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing” 1 Thessalonians 5:11 ESV
When we set forth the truth plainly and simply through the example of human circumstances and how God works in the lives of everyone, we are leading our readers to a deeper, closer understanding of who Jesus is.
Author unknown
“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin…” Zechariah 4:10 NLT
“Almost all good writing begins with terrible first efforts. You need to start somewhere. Start by getting something—anything—down on paper. A friend of mine says that the first draft is the down draft—you just get it down. The second draft is the up draft—you fix it up. You try to say what you have to say more accurately. And the third draft is the dental draft, where you check every tooth, to see if it’s loose or cramped or decayed, or even, God help us, healthy.”
Anne Lamott
Some New (to me) Writing Tips
- Get inspired through research.
Before you begin writing, do some reconnaissance reading. Take notes as you read up on your subject material. Ideas will form as you research. Once you’ve jumped into the writing process, don’t stop to do more research. Instead, add a placeholder like [RESEARCH] and keep rolling. You can come back to finalize facts and add references when your first draft is finished.
2. Empathize with the reader.
Empathy can improve all kinds of writing. Take the time to put yourself in your reader’s place. Are you preaching to them, or are you engaging them by showing that you relate to their feelings and experiences?
3. Be fascinated in order to be fascinating.
The more interested you are about the subject you’re writing about, the more intrigued your readers will be with what you’ve written.
4. Don’t use unnecessary words and phrases. (This is a biggie!)
Every word needs to have a purpose in your writing, and there are plenty that don’t contribute anything but clutter. Get rid of them! 31 Words and Phrases You No Longer Need
Related Posts
How To Write An Encouraging Blog
10 Ways to Encourage Others Through Your Blog
Fan Into Flames the Gift God Gave You
How A Prayer Journal Can Enhance Your Blog
Why Do I Blog? To Be Followed or To Follow Him?
I pray that the Lord will help us all to encourage one another through writing about Jesus and His love.
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord …. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Colossians 3:23-24 NIV
With Love, Cindy
Click this link to learn more about Jesus: Who Is Jesus?
http://internationalchristianfictionwriters.blogspot.com/2013/08/writing-quotes-to-inspire.html
realchristianwomen.blog
Real Christian Women 
Thank you sharing this Cindy and the reminder that our writing is a tool for God to use to share His word.
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Thank you! Blessings, Perth!
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Thanks for sharing this, Cindy. i appreciate the soft nudge to remember why i’m called to write and encourage through words and photos. Gonna jot down those Scripture verses in my prayer journal now. Hope your day is beautifully blessed
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Thank you, Indra. God’s Word is a precious treasure. Hope you have a beautiful day in beautiful Barbados! Blessings!
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Hi Cindy. i’m overseas for awhile at the moment but thanks so much for the warm greeting as always. Same sweetness to you!
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Maybe you will write about your trip! Blessings, Indra!
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Thank you Cindy for this encouraging and informative post. Writing has always been a craft, requiring practice and more practice. As Christian writers our added element is prayer, and lots of it. Every day is an adventure in serving Him!
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That is so true! Serving Him IS an adventure. Thanks for reading and commenting. Blessings, Alan!
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Cindy– thank you so much for this post. I really needed to hear the following:
He is at work on your behalf, not to make you a best-seller, but to make you the best tool for His work..
Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin
Also thank you for the related posts!
You are an encouragement to me today!
Blessings, Kate
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Thank you, Kate. You are also an encouragement to me! Blessings!
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Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging.
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Thanks, Vincent! Blessings!
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Some very good advice therwme, Cindy! I have been at this a long time, but I still find myself in need of such reminders, especially the purpose in writing. Thank you and blessings!
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No matter how long we write, we can always improve (as with anything else)! Thanks for reading. Blessings Mrs. M!
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Hmm. And add to writing advice taking time to edit before hitting send. Lol. I think “therwme” is meant to be “there”. 😄
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Good words of wisdom, Cindy! Tip #4 is one I find I need to use most of the time. By the time I’ve set aside the time to write, I have so much I want to say that I spend about an hour writing a post, and another hour whittling it down to under 1000 words.
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That’s one I spend a lot of time on, also. I liked the list of words to remove. Thanks for commenting. Blessings, Annie!
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I have a few more that my grammar check actually deleted for me – like “actually.” Also “somewhat” and “rather.” I have been somewhat in the habit of using those, and rather ignorant about their redundancy until recently. 😉
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Hi, Cindy!
God LOVES writing and is an author at heart! Numerous times he told Moses to write down what He said in order for His Word to be preserved. While oral tradition was the norm, God has always called people to preserve His Word. I am SO thankful that God is our Divine Author, Producer, Director and Editor! Our writing is a form of worship!
This is how I approach writing as well! My best writing is when I have researched a passage/topic and found it interesting and then I am compelled to share! Love and blessings. So encouraged by this post!
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I’m so glad you found this encouraging. Many of us here at WordPress have a calling to write about the Lord and His great love. Thanks for reading and commenting. Blessings, Mandy!
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This is wonderful, Cindy! I am writing a memoir, finally nearing the end of my ‘down draft.’ Whew! It hasn’t been an easy story to write. But I am hoping and praying that the Lord will use my story to help lead others, lost and broken like I was, to Christ.
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I can’t wait to read it! I know it will be great! Blessings, Linda!
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Thank you so much! I don’t remember if I have told you what my book is about. The title of my book was going to be Growing Up Crazy. But then I realized that some people who have been diagnosed with PTSD or another psychiatric disorder, are offended by the word ‘crazy.’ The last thing I want to do is offend my intended audience with my title! So I have now changed the title and subtitle to the following:
Memoir of a Scapegoat: Surviving PTSD, a Mental Institution, and My Appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show.
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I like it when I agree with everything I read in a post. 😉
Thanks for the tips and resources, Cindy.
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Thanks, Kathy! Have a great day! Blessings!
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I appreciate this Kate ✨✨🌺
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Thanks for stopping by. Blessings!
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