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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: The Writer’s Skill/Craft (04/22/10)
Hi!
I’m in one of your Facebook groups and your profile says you enjoy writing. You also posted a link to a website for Christian writers. I write for my church newsletter and sometimes write poetry. I think writing for a Christian website would be fun!
I checked out the website and
think the writing challenge would be a good way to improve my skills. So, tell me: how do you figure out what to write? And how exactly do you do it?
D

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Welcome!
I was glad to hear from you. I’ll be glad to help but I don’t claim to be an expert. I’ve been writing stories for a few years and God has blessed me with some good ideas. As for how to figure out what to write, I look at the topic and brainstorm ideas. Sometimes I get a lot; sometimes just one and it sticks with me. Then, I pray and ask God what to write.
As for how to do it: I’ve learned a lot by reading the stories that win. When you write a story, you’ll get comments and I read those and you can learn from them.
There are some people on the forums that write about grammar tips and you can learn from those, too.
And, most of all, God shows you what to write.
Hope that helps.
L

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Thanks for writing back. So you don’t need a class or to take a course? Some of the articles in the masters’ section are amazing! This week the topic is “God Speaking.” Is that anything like God showing you what to write? I really don’t understand how that works.
I had an idea for the challenge topic yesterday but it seems pretty ordinary. I’ll see how it goes. I want to do OK for my first story. I doubt I could do as well as some of the writers on the website.
D

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Don’t worry – everyone has to start somewhere.
As for me, I sent my story off yesterday.
Keep praying; I know you’ll come up with something. Go ahead and email it to me before you send it in. I’ll be glad to give you some grammar tips, and I’ll continue to pray for you.
L

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I don’t know about this. All I can think of is that first dull idea. I don’t want to write a boring story for my first try. Ugh… maybe I’ll wait until next week. “God Speaking”? I don’t think He spoke to me about the story, this week.
D

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I hope I don't sound too harsh, but I think God has been speaking to you this week. He gave you an idea and maybe it seemed dull at first, but when it kept coming back, you still haven't considered it. I think that’s what God is telling you to write – and I think you should write it. Don’t worry so much about how good it is or if it’s boring. If it’s what God wants you to write, it will bless someone for sure.
L

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Wow. That's really not what I expected to hear. I guess I really was a bit too worried about people’s reactions. But...I think you may be right. So, I’ll write it and send it to you later today.
D

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I'm praying for you.
L

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Well, here's my story! You were so right! Thanks so much for your boldness. Once I began to write it’s like my fingers couldn’t move fast enough on my keyboard and it came out really fast. Please let me know what you think of the story. God bless you; you were a real help.
D

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You wrote a really nice story. I’ve made some suggestions about your grammar and some questions for you to think about in order to make the story clearer. I think you’ll have a good entry there, with just a little rewrite.
L

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Thanks so much! I made those changes and submitted the story last night.
D

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Hey! Did you check out the “highest ranking” list? That’s right… you were number 12 for beginners. Not bad for your first try. Keep writing. Write anytime you need some help with a story. I’m proud to have helped you with your first entry; some day, I’ll be able to say I knew you “when”.
God bless you!
L
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
04/30/10
This was a fun read. It is also so true. I often find some of the things I need to hear desperately can be found in a challenge article. I believe God prompted that person to write because God knew that I would need to hear those words. Although we all like to win or place up near the top, sometimes it's more important to follow God's prompt. It has made a difference in my life more than once.
Beth LaBuff 
04/30/10
I love your title! Your entry is very creative.. I think there are many of us who can relate to this (or perhaps it describes our journey here at FW perfectly). I enjoyed this!