Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Recap of my Writing Is Not For Wimps workshop

Not everyone attended my Writing is Not for Wimps workshop at the FaithWriters conference last weekend.

Gasp!

Ok, I'll cut them some slack, since I was up against Clearing the Blog Fog, taught by Patty Wysong. I'd probably have a tough time choosing, too.

A few people asked if I would go over some of the main points of my workshop. Although I would be happy to reiterate the main focus of this class, I will not be covering everything, due to the fact that I have been considering writing a tutorial, which will be available for purchase down the road.

Today, I will simply provide the same pep talk I gave in my workshop. So listen up.

First, God created you and HE gave you your gift. Don't you think that minimizing yourself and/or your gift is like slapping God in the face? Don't you agree that not using those talents to our full potential is a huge disappointment to God? (If not, read Matthew 25)

Yes, there are obstacles and set-backs we encounter. Things that cause us to question our calling or even make us want to give up. I believe the driving force behind wanting to throw in the towel is FEAR. By the way, I have an acronym for F.E.A.R. - FAITH ENDS AT ROAR! In other words, the minute we encounter a ROAR! We run. We cower. We back down. Our faith vanishes to make room for our insecurities. Not cool.

I've got news for you. You are a writer. You will bump into obstacles. Some of them enormous. Some that seem impossible to face, let alone climb over. But the obstacles are not the point. Overcoming them and growing through them IS the point. It really is possible to kick your writing wimp to the curb and become the strong and successful writer God wants you to be.

In the Writing is Not for Wimps tutorial, which I hope to put together soon, I will offer tips on overcoming the top 6 or 7 obstacles that keep us from pursuing our passion. I strongly believe God wants us to take control over our inner writing wimp. I am excited about putting together a manual to encourage you and help you along your way down the path to your passion.

I have appreciated all of the positive feedback I received from this class. The verse that sums up this lesson is from 2 Chronicles 15:7:


"But as for you, be strong and courageous, for your work will be rewarded." (NLT)

6 comments:

Patty Wysong said...

LOL I clicked right over to read your recap because I MISSED your class!! If I hadn't been teaching I would've been there! =]

LOVED that acronym for fear! So good! and one that I'll remember. =]

DEFINITELY write and offer the tutorial! (Do several and put them on the book table every time you speak! hehe. And speak lots! You're good, girl!!) =] =]

Diane said...

I'm feeling the need to ROAR right now!!!! :o)

Joanne Sher said...

This is GREAT, Lynda! I also wanna see your tutorial.

Raquel Byrnes said...

So glad you did well at the conference. Thanks for the encouraging words. You should totally sell t-shirts with that acronym. =)

quietspirit said...

Lynda:
"Faith Ends At Roar" I like that. Have you copyrighted it? ;)
I would have loved to attend you workshop but I couldn't commit to being out of town at that time.

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi -

I've heard another acronym for Fear:

False
Evidence
Appearing
Real

Blessings,
Susan :)