Writing is not just jotting down ideas. Often we say: “I don’t know what to write. I have no thoughts worth writing down.” But much good writing emerges from the process of writing itself. As we simply sit down in front of a sheet of paper and start to express in words what is on our minds or in our hearts, new ideas emerge, ideas that can surprise us and lead us to inner places we hardly knew were there.
One of the most satisfying aspects of writing is that it can open in us deep wells of hidden treasures that are beautiful for us as well as for others to see.
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April 28, 2009 at 11:06 am
Karen Hopper
I love the last paragraph Helen. It is the desire of all who have a desire to pen special thoughts and share them. BTW: Your book is great. I am trying not to rush through it but understand the meanings on each page. That’s what is making it special.
April 28, 2009 at 11:19 am
helenl
Hi Karen, You know, the desire is why I love Shirley’s devotional blog. I think it is here “desire” to go “deep.”
Glad you are enjoying the book.
April 28, 2009 at 12:15 pm
Mike Lovell
Helen,
I often find most of my writing just develops off of one idea or another that randomly pops into my head, and develops from there, often causing more questions to be answered on paper (at least in my own mind) than I originally thought I was capable of thinking about.
Now, if I could just translate some of these things from my mind to my mouth, my wife would be much happier with me. She appreciates my ability to communicate through writing, but wishes I spoke to more important, emotional-related things more often!
April 28, 2009 at 12:27 pm
helenl
Mike, The advantage writing has over speaking is revision. We get several chances before we hit the “submit” button, even more on our own blogs. Wonder then why I hit it so often with misspelled words and weak sentence structure? The advantage of face-to-face conversation is posture and the story told by our eyes. And the ability to read the other person’s posture and eyes on the fly.
April 28, 2009 at 1:30 pm
Mervi
So often I sit with, “noting to write,” I have started with just the date and many times this will start a process of thoughts flowing from mind, to hand, to pen and end up on paper or computer monitor. I have found writing to be, so many times a point of great release.
Mervi
April 28, 2009 at 1:53 pm
helenl
Hi Mervi, Yours is a typical experience.