Become Someone Who Writes What Only You Can Write: A Guided Reflection for Writers
Daily Nourishment Read Time: 40 seconds
Pause/Prompt/Practice Time: 15 minutes
“With sound confidence because you have much to offer, go deeper instead of turning away.”
-Spiritual Direction for Writers: Everyday Rituals for Your Writing Life
Pause.
Sit in silence while looking at the art below and taking four deep breaths. Use the phrases below for a breath prayer or breath meditation on each of the inhales.
Inhale: My story matters.
Exhale.
Inhale: I won’t turn away from my story.
Exhale.
Inhale: My story matters.
Exhale.
Inhale: I won’t turn away from my story.
Exhale.
Repeat as many times as you like.
Prompt.
Read more from the chapter “Become Someone Who Writes What Only You Can Write” in Spiritual Direction for Writers: Everyday Rituals for Your Writing Life.
“Here are two questions I hear again and again from writers: Why would anyone want to read what I want to write? Does my writing even matter? My answer: write what only you can write. Explore your own unique stories and what your perspective might offer to ongoing conversations that no one else can offer. Likely you often want to give time and energy to a topic that many people have already addressed—much of literature grapples with the same human quests to find love or heal from betrayal or navigate death. But consider how your perspective and ideas can invite readers into a fresh encounter with the topics that you find compelling. If your mind keeps returning to the theology of grace—or how to grieve—or if you want to write a novel that examines the intersection of grace and grief, ignore the voice ringing from within your soul that says there are plenty of essays, stories, poems, and books about those topics. With sound confidence because you have much to offer, go deeper instead of turning away.”
Practice.
Re-read the words above from Spiritual Direction for Writers: Everyday Rituals for Your Writing Life then set a timer for 10 minutes and journal or take notes in response to the words above and the questions below.
How do you feel about the idea that your unique story and experiences are crucial to the writing you do?
What do you have to offer that no one else can provide?
Which stories, memories, topics come to mind? What do you want to write about that only you can write?
What lies do you need to stop believing about your writing, your writing vocation, your writing desires, etc?
What truths do you need to hold on to and remember for your writing and writing life?
Want More?
Read Spiritual Direction for Writers: Everyday Rituals for Your Writing Life.
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Today’s Daily Nourishment was provided by Charlotte Donlon.
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