Susette Williams - 31 Devotions for Writers

31 Devotions for Writers

Compiled by Susette Williams

Published by Family Friendly Fiction

2013 Susette Williams

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the contributing author or Family Friendly Fiction.

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica (unless otherwise noted). Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

Introduction

W riting can often be discouraging. Some writers have spouses or children who dont understand why they spend so much time on the computer. You may face a multitude of rejection from agents or publishers. Or you may not get encouragement in the form of reviews or be nominated for an award. So why do we write? Because we cant give it up! God has called us to write and we feel compelled to pour out our soul in written words. The Bible says, Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 Which is the purpose of this devotional, to encourage you that you are not alone. Other writers have dealt with similar feelings or frustrations, or question themselves, their writing or their motives. I pray that each of you is encouraged as you read the devotions by all of the authors. May God bless you and give you the encouragement and peace you need.

NEVER CAUSE SOMEONE TO STUMBLE

Susette Williams

Website: www.susettewilliams.com

FB Childrens Author Page: http://ow.ly/mZUBL

FB Author Page: http://ow.ly/mZUyM

Day 1

J esus said to his disciples : "Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come. Luke 17:1

As writers, we can sometimes be tempted to go where the money is by writing in genres that are selling , even if they are mainstream instead of specifically Christian. There is nothing wrong with writing for mainstream, or Christian, unless we begin to compromise on Christian principals.

Luke 17:1 talks about causing people to stumble. As writers, we have the ability to sway people with our words, to capture their thoughts and take them into the world that we create for them. But how real or detailed should we make our stories? If you include curse words, you make the reader focus on those words and take them into their spirit as they read them. Is it worth it, for the sake of keeping your characters real?

Right now, erotica sells, even if it is poorly written. The world hungers for things of the flesh, to be satisfied, excited, or feel alive. But as Christians who write, should we take readers behind closed doors as most Christian publishers would describe it? We may cause them to stumble, or to fantasize about things or people that they shouldnt. In Matthew 12: 36 (KJV) it says, But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. I believe we will also be held accountable for every word we write as well.

Words can incite a riot, cause people to lust, make people angry or even bring them to tears. We have the power to affect other human beings with our words. Will we affect them in a positive way or a negative way for the Kingdom of God?

Have you ever read something that you had to grab a tissue to dab your eyes as you sniffled and pretended it was just your sinuses when someone asked you why you were crying? Maybe you read something that mentioned all kinds of delicious food and it made you hungry. You may have even laughed out loud when reading? Or clenched your fist and wanted to scream at the characters?

I love to watch people as they read my stories so that I can watch the persons facial expressions. I enjoy eliciting feelings out of readers. Especially when I can make someone smile or laugh. Even if some of my stories may have a more serious tone, I will often add humor within secondary characters because no matter if one persons world feels like it is crumbling, it doesnt mean that everyone (or every character) is in that dark place. We have the ability to affect their emotions and sometimes their thought patterns.

A woman from my church read a story I wrote over a decade ago, and it made her think about sin differently than she had before. In the story, Honorable Intentions, the heroine had become pregnant when she was younger and her mother encouraged her to stay in church during her pregnancy because everyone struggles with sinjust her sin, or the results of it, were more visible than maybe something else another person was dealing with. The woman said she had never thought about it that way. A couple years later, her own teenage daughter became pregnant and she continued to go to church throughout her pregnancy. We may not know who we are reaching, but hopefully we are leaving a positive impact on the lives of others.

Reflection:

How will you use your words?

Prayer:

Father, help guide my thoughts and my writing. May I never cause anyone to stumble and may I never have to apologize to you or anyone else for causing them to stumble. Amen.

GOD IS WITH YOU

Rachel Hauck

www.rachelhauck.com

www.facebook.com/rachelhauck

www.twitter.com/rachelhauck

Day 2

F or I am the Lord your God, who upholds your right hand, Who says to you, Do not fear, I will help you. Isaiah 41:13

I was doomed. The knot in my stomach, distracted thoughts, twitching legs, all confirmed my dark destiny.

In the midst of writing my second novel for my publisher, the pressure of deadline and the desire to be brilliant along with the hard struggle of writing a novel had robbed me of peace.

While the plot was formed in my mind, the characters were still coming alive as I wrote, changing, alluding me. And there was more research to be done!

One spring morning, during prayer at church, I hit the wall.

Lord, I cant do this. You have to help me. I have no idea what Im doing, and if I have to fail, Im willing, but please help me.