Table of Contents
- The Call to Write
- Understanding Different Ways of Thinking to Reach More Readers
- Cultivating Consistent Christian Writing Habits
- Reflecting Deeply Through Writing
- Refining Your Craft Through Practice
- Finding Community on the Write Path
- Join the Christian Writers Sanctuary Today!
- Press Onward
Christian writing is an act of faith. With prayer and perseverance, Christian authors can share messages of hope and transformation that resonate deeply in readers’ hearts.
The Call to Write
As Christian writers, we feel a calling that goes beyond the desire for literary success or fame. We write to connect, to inspire, to change hearts and minds for the glory of God’s kingdom.
But this calling comes with its share of challenges in today’s complex publishing landscape. Christian writers must navigate questions of audience, marketing, and mainstream relevance, all while retaining the integrity of their faith-based message.
By embracing diverse perspectives, cultivating discipline, reflecting deeply on our personal journeys, and supporting one another in community, we can hone our craft and fulfill this calling to the best of our abilities. Join me as we explore the winding path of inspiration, struggle, and triumph that awaits us.
Understanding Different Ways of Thinking to Reach More Readers
In his theory of multiple intelligences, psychologist Howard Gardner describes eight distinct ways that people comprehend and engage with the world. As Christian authors, familiarizing ourselves with these perspectives allows our writing to resonate across a wider span of readers.
Illustration by JR Bee, Verywell
For instance, when writing characters, we can better develop their unique habits, motivations and behaviors by viewing them through multiple intelligences. Are they musically gifted, attuned to patterns and rhythms like Johann Sebastian Bach? Are they bodily-kinesthetic, able to convey emotions through dance like King David?
We can also adapt our writing style and devices to appeal to different intelligences. For logically-mathematical thinkers, rhetorical questions and syllogisms work well, while interpersonal learners connect more with dialogue-heavy stories centered on relationships.
Most importantly, embracing these diverse perspectives allows us to share the Gospel’s teachings in ways that move beyond one-size-fits all approaches. We can reveal the myriad intersections of an intelligences within biblical figures like Moses, equally skilled in musical prophecy as he was in wilderness survival. And we can unpack scriptural lessons that span symbolic interpretation, philosophical rumination, empathetic communion and more.
There are no limits to how intelligences can be expressed through good Christian writing. Our task is to meet readers where they are, that we might walk together toward transformation.
Cultivating Consistent Christian Writing Habits
“Let us not grow weary in doing good.” Galatians 6:9
Writing is work, requiring much persistence against the tides of frustration and doubt. Christian authors must cultivate disciplined habits, fortifying ourselves through regular practice.
It begins with setting S.M.A.R.T. goals – specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound. For example, one might set a goal to free-write for 15 minutes daily in the morning, or submit 2 short story drafts to writing group peers every 2 weeks.
Such commitments anchor us amidst turbulent schedules and wavering motivation. The occasional skipped session is understandable, but by dedicating focused time to write on most days, we build fluency and courage.
It also helps tremendously to join a community of fellow writers, through church groups, online forums, local meetups, and more. Together, we blossom, exchanging feedback, encouragement and accountability. Set yourself up to thrive through consistency, community, and keeping Christ at the center of your writing journey.
Reflecting Deeply Through Writing
As Christian authors, writing can be a pathway to greater self-awareness – clarifying our thoughts, values, and spiritual growth by putting pencil to page. Reflective writing practices guide us further along this path.
Some techniques include:
- Freewriting – Set a timer for 5-10 minutes. Write nonstop about a question/prompt, without self-editing. This accesses raw thoughts and feelings we may usually filter out.
- Journaling – Maintain an ongoing journal, writing about dilemmas, days’ events, dreams, and prayer. This helps integrate experiences with a spiritual lens.
- Imagined Scenarios – Compose fictional letters, speeches or dialogues between yourself and God, a historical Christian figure, or an abstract concept like Justice, exploring a theological theme. This flexes theological reasoning skills.
- Poetry – Structure personal lessons and epiphanies into verse, using literary devices like metaphor and rhyme to convey heartfelt truths. This channels emotions into elegant language.
By pouring out reflections onto the page, we better know ourselves. And from self-knowledge springs the wisdom and authority to write messages that resonate. As Frederick Buechner put it on writing and faith: “Listen to your life. See it for the fathomless mystery it is.”
Refining Your Craft Through Practice
Writing is a craft as well as an art, learned through study and honed through practice. As Christian authors, working to perfect our technical skills honors the excellence of God’s creation.
Consider language devices that can enrich your writing style:
- Metaphor – Link images from separate contexts, as in “The Lord is my rock, my fortress.” Metaphors make abstract concepts vividly imaginable.
- Alliteration – Repeat initial consonant sounds, as in “see that you do not refuse Him who speaks” (Heb 12:25). This creates musicality.
- Anaphora – Repeat words at sentence beginnings, as in “He has told you… He has shown you… He has made known…” (Micah 6:8). This lends poetic emphasis.
- Sensory Details – Incorporate visceral details of touch, taste, smell, sound and sight as Jesus often did in parables, transporting readers into the scene.
By studying scriptural language and intentionally employing such devices in your own work, you enrich engagement and comprehension. Set aside time weekly to intentionally try new techniques. Painstaking revision of clumsy drafts into refined gems builds technical mastery.
Joining a writers’ workshop group also accelerates growth through constructive feedback. Stay the course – with practice, your unique writerly voice will emerge.
Finding Community on the Write Path
Writing can be a lonely endeavor. That’s why community is invaluable for motivation, accountability, feedback and inspiration. By surrounding ourselves with supportive writing groups, the solitary path feels less intimidating.
For Christian authors, faith-based writing groups hold special appeal. Here, we find kindred spirits who intimately understand writing’s challenges from a spiritual viewpoint. We uplift each other’s work with insightful, compassionate critiques, knowing our shared calling to truth.
The Christian Writers Sanctuary, for instance, offers writers of all backgrounds and skill levels discussion forums, blog exchanges, video talks, podcasts and more. Imagine the community that nourished the early church – multiplied across digital space and time!
Wherever you find it – online or local – make community integral to your author’s practice. Exchange works-in-progress, celebrate milestones, collaborate on editing. Together, we walk farther along writing’s winding trail than any of us could alone.
Join the Christian Writers Sanctuary Today!
Are you seeking to grow in your writing while connecting with fellow Christian authors? The Christian Writers Sanctuary offers a supportive home. The Sanctuary divides into specialized forums based on genres and topics of interest, with experienced mentors guiding each one. Ready to join this compassionate, passionate community where words and faith intertwine Click here to sign up for free today!
Press Onward
The writing life summons us with persistent courage to keep learning, creating, revising the work that God has called us to do in this world. It is no easy path, but the rewards abound.
I hope the guidance and community offered here nourishes you to press onward with faith-filled words that bear witness to His truth. We write to grow ever closer to the Divine heart that authors the song of creation.
Now, let everything in you say “Yes!” to the writing journey ahead. Face each blank page as an altar. Lay down your doubts as offerings. See your words as pinpricks through which grace can pass into hearts ready to receive it.
You were born for this. Let’s write.