Why Write - Ramblings on Ratings Written to a Sister Writer
Posted: Monday, November 16, 2009
by Marijo Phelps
Written to a writer friend:
I have been pondering the new articles that Bruce has written on how to write things that get read. Good stuff he has shared. But, I want to share Jesus. I might have mentioned to you oh, half a dozen times or more, what my goals in writing are:
To challenge people in the Lord
To encourage people in the Lord
To help people to laugh
To help a person realize they are not alone, that others have gone through the particular wringer they are going through
To draw the unbeliever to our Lord
I like being read. I like being in the top ten and on the front page….. but that’s not why I am writing.
Could I write something with a title that would guarantee a bazillion reads? Probably (look on Google trends to find out what is hot for starters….)
I went on the writing websites (a few and not all that I was asked to join for sure – not that I am that polished a writer but other writers saw a bit of me in my work and reached out) on Aug 22, 2008 (FaithWriters) and have been posting and writing ever since.
I didn’t go to find friends. My life is full and meaningful and I am still in touch with one gal I first met in 2 nd grade. But, I found you and several others in various age ranges that I now consider good friends. Someone I can share my heart with and someone I know will pray – someone I’d like to meet in person and share my house with someday for a GOOD visit. When I went on various “connection" websites I never checked the box “looking for friends" because I was content where I was. The Lord obviously had other ideas and I am SO glad He did…
I notice that on the “free to share" site I post on, many, many of my various pieces are being printed out. That tells me that the reader not only clicked but felt what was said was worthy of printing for future use. I am encouraged and hopefully encouraging others too.
Challenged to take time, go through old notebooks and find things and scriptures which correlate. Pressed to look at life, my daily life in the mountain meadow and see things that I could share with others and include things the Lord has opened up to me or laid on my heart. Maybe those very things would be the encouragement that another might need that day.
Right now I am writing so fast that for some of my pieces I haven’t even printed out a hard copy – my computer back up will be evidence of “copy right" and the only copy I have, others I have the hand written copy I made while writing when I was fourteen years old at my little white desk dad made in the house with plywood floors (we didn’t get “floor coverings" until my junior year in high school). Hum, there’s another story or a dozen of them….
All of this to say, I hope to continue writing my heart. If my ratings go up, good! If they don’t that’s ok. I know that we both pray for those who the Lord would like to read our particular pieces and maybe that’s what will really count now, in time and possibly for eternity. Not so much because of what we have to say but because of who we are saying it for?
A little piece I wrote ages ago comes to mind – it is one that needs help – I don’t like it the way it is but it seems to sum things up for my thoughts here…
WITHOUT FORGET
Give me this day
One soul to reach
With kindness in Your name
Give me this day
One lost in care
Sad or halt or lame
Let me walk this day
Without forget
That I am nothing without YOU.
Give me this day
One soul to reach
With kindness in Your name
Give me this day
One lost in care
Sad or halt or lame
Let me walk this day
Without forget
That I am nothing without YOU.
Thanks for the super encourager that you are and for helping me with the learning curve of the Searchwarp related websites. My only wish is that we could sit in the kitchen (yes, the formerly egg spattered kitchen) and have a long time to talk and pray together. You are a most special lady and Jesus surely shines through you!
Marijo Phelps,saved by Jesus grace in 1974, from 9 years atheism into His loving arms. She is wanting to spread the good news about His redemptive plan for our lives through written media. Her name is pronounced Mary Jo. She was an RN for 23+ years, missionary with YWAM,statistical analyst for Every Home for Christ 9 years. Her first poem published when she was four years old. (her mom had much to do with that!) She has been writing ever since.
Her new blog can be found: http://myincrediblelord.blogspot.com
Her new blog can be found: http://myincrediblelord.blogspot.com
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Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)Marijo, what a special letter. Straight from the heart! I have a strong feeling that you will never stop writing from your heart, I think you are accomplishing your goals and while you remain true to your purpose, it is great to get to know Marijo by the stories you share of your life. It is far easier for a reader to connect and respect our message, whether or not they agree, when we are vulnerable and real. You have been an incredible source of encouragement to me since we have known eachother and I am glad you finally caved to the nudgings of your friend. :-) Big hugs!! I suspect she would love nothing more than to sit and have coffee too - but not today, it's too cold and too much snow where you are right now :-) TWould she come if I turned on the fireplace and we could just LOOK at the Christmas card outside? Hey, a hike would be invigorating too! HE is SO good, who'd have thought? Hugs for sure, MarijoIn a heartbeat, I am sure :-)
Marijo, unfortunately, most of the "popular" google subjects are not really what I am interested in writing, either. I just thought it would be fun to see how far I could go with it. Keep writing from your heart and let God do the rest. You are a very unselfish and special person. Keep up your writings and encouragement.Thanks SO much - who are you as I'd like to read some of your pieces if I am not already in your fan club! Marijo
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