Developing My Writing...

Those of you who know me well, know that I enjoy writing. I've expressed my writing through two consistent pathways - my personal journal entries and this blog. One of the things I'm doing in this new season of life is to zero in on some personal development in this area. It's something I've been praying about. How do I hone my writing skills in Europe?

In a round-about way I discovered Christin Taylor - writer, author, and professor - who is launching an on-line writing workshop, The Blank Page Writing Workshops.

For all my writing friends, I encourage you to check out her site and if interested, sign up for one of her summer workshops. Christin is making it very doable for those with busy lives (which is most of us) to develop their writing skills in a simple, yet effective format. With grace and ease, Christin's style will empower the writer to express themselves freely, without intimidation.

I'm a part of her current workshop and wrote the following 500-word-max introduction describing my writing history.

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Sitting at my third grade desk conveniently overlooking the playground was a perfect seating arrangement for my daydreaming. I'd tune my teacher's voice out or take a break from an assignment to look out the row of windows simply to think about whatever my little 8-year-old mind was pondering at the moment. It was a consistent parent-teacher report. If I just daydreamed less – a lot less – I could be a better student.

Growing up in the country supported my habit. My world of pastures, creeks, and country roads provided a natural habitat for my contemplative get-aways. Soon I was keeping a diary. Keeping track of life, even if it was just daily happenings, was good for my soul. Those daily entries began to evolve into thoughts and feelings, reflecting on life, relationships, and God. Now, twenty-some years later, my life is summed up in an entire bookshelf of journals.

Not too many years ago I discovered my daydreaming was a strength! Thanks to Marcus Buckingham's book, Now Discover Your Strengths, I realized that what was once considered a detriment to my learning has become a window into my writing world. My daydreaming has been sophisticated to that of "intellection." Simply put, it means that I think all the time. There's just so much life to ponder and wonder about. I actually need to build time into my week to muse. If I don't take time to think, I would go crazy! This quality of mine is aptly described as my "mental hum."

And that's where my writing comes in. All my thinking gets sorted out best when I put pen to paper or fingers to keypad. Then, somehow life makes sense and there is purpose to my daydreaming. I love to learn about people and places, and have no problem asking lots of questions. I'm curious about the world around me and love to make it come alive with words.

Speaking of the world… my husband and I are currently serving in a role that has us living in Budapest, Hungary and traveling to all parts of Europe. My world has expanded and so has my thinking!

My most consistent writing flows out of my journal entries and a blog that I began in 2007, but I have a desire to develop my writing, taking it beyond journals and blog posts. I'm not discounting my journals – they are my life – but I want to write with a more purposeful focus.

My favorite book on writing is Anne Lamont's Bird by Bird and if there's anything I've got to overcome is trying to be perfect the first time around. That's why I'm excited about Christin's workshop on writing "lousy first drafts" because after all daydreaming isn't perfect and it took me way too long to write this intro.