Preparation

“Dad, today’s not Sunday.”

He began the day as he did every day, by getting ready for church. Dementia had thwarted his life but not his love for attending worship with the family of God. He sighed and returned to his bedroom to reenlist his comfy clothes. If Dad was that keen on being prepared for his favorite day of the week, could I not find a way to prepare my heart for writing?

Do you drag your feet when it comes to putting words to paper? It seems much more enticing to clean the grout on the kitchen floor—especially when there’s a deadline.

How do we set the tone for the work ahead?

Exercise:

Some advocate your writing session begins the day before. Clean up your desk and get it ready for the next round. When you come back to work, a tidy space welcomes you in.

Some champion leaving off in the middle of your thought. Then, when you sit down again, you’re ready to jump in midsentence and run with the next point.

What works for you?

Look up the following verses and respond.

Deuteronomy 11:18. Writing for the Lord is a privilege because of the material we have available. When I visited my friend on our writing day, I’d find her enjoying the sunshine in her lawn chair. “What’cha doing, Bea?” I’d ask. She responded, “I’m writing!” Mull over your characters. Flesh out your scenes. Brainstorm while driving or washing dishes. Be alert to twists in ideas and savor themes.

Writing doesn’t stop when the session is over.

How can you meditate on your WIP?

Proverbs 25:11. A Thesaurus is an essential tool for creating fresh content. Use it to expand the picture you draw with words. Remove common lingo to insert interesting dialogue. What verbiage do you tend to overuse? Make a list and look up surrogates.

1 Corinthians 3:8-9. Partnering with God to bring print to life, we have an exciting commission to represent His words. How will time in the Bible enable you to articulate the message He has for a needy world?

Just like the passion Dad had for going to church, we can look forward to writing and to communicating God’s tidings every day of the week. It’s the best job, ever!

My tongue is the pen of a ready writer.

Psalm 45:1

How will you prepare to write?

(See “The Journey of a Writer.”)

Over 140 of Sally Ferguson’s devotionals have been published in Pathways to God (Warner Press). She’s also written for Light From The Word, Chautauqua Mirror, Just Between Us, Adult Span Curriculum, Thriving Family, Upgrade with Dawn and ezinearticles.com. Prose Contest Winner at 2017 Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference. Sally loves organizing retreats and seeing relationships blossom in time away from the daily routine. Her ebook, How to Plan a Women’s Retreat is available on Amazon.

Visit Sally’s blog at sallyferguson.net