The road systems in Raleigh, North Carolina are frustrating and confusing. I often hear grumbling from new transplants about the difficulty of learning their way around the Triangle area. True confession: I did my own fair share of complaining when we moved to the Raleigh/Durham area, in 1994.
As confusing as the road systems were back then, they are even more confusing today. There’s the Outer Belt-Line, Inner Belt-Line, I-40, I 440 and I-540—to name a few. And now to further add to the confusion, there is a major road repair construction project called: Fortify 40. Each of these roadways was designed to provide alternative traffic flow by offering multiple route options around the city, thus preventing road blocks.
Perhaps, you find yourself feeling frustrated and confused with too many route options. Do you lack direction? The world of writing is ever-changing. Let’s agree to familiarize ourselves with new roadways offered. We must move forward, in order to remain current and confident. Otherwise, we will find our efforts leading us down roads loaded with more road blocks than thoroughfares. How frustrating it is to think we are on the right road to success, only to discover there was a much better route to take all along.
Attending Writer’s conferences is one of the best ways to gain understanding and find direction for your writing career. Allow me the honor of sharing a few ideas that have helped my (often confusing) navigation process:
Passion
Write about things that you are passionate about. Otherwise, you will find yourself stuck for sure!
Authenticity
Express yourself authentically. Do NOT try to be someone else, or write like someone else. Authenticity is the best approach to writing, or speaking powerfully.
Credibility
The most powerful books are written by people who keep their story-line true to themselves. For example: If you grew up in Europe, you have much to say about European culture. If your book is about depression, credibility would prove most powerful as you share YOUR story, instead of scientific facts only.
Rest
In order to keep your thought processes flowing and moving in a productive direction, make sure to get plenty of rest the night before you begin an important writing venture. A clear mind equals no mental traffic jams! (Coffee always helps too!)
Research
Be sure to do your homework, after choosing your topic. Topical writing requires time and research.
Relate
Work hard at relating to your reader by drawing them into your story-line both intellectually and emotionally.
Voice
Be diligent about finding your voice in both written and spoken word.Attend writer’s conferences regularly. New roadways are being developed each and every day in the publishing industry.
I look forward to leading worship and to meeting each one of you at: The Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove, February 20-22, 2015. There is nothing more inspiring than coming together with a group of like-minded people, in order to grow and develop the craft of writing. Attending Writer’s ADVANCE Boot Camp will help you refocus and find direction. You will be inspired, challenged, equipped, and renewed as you spend time learning from excellent professionals in the writing and publishing industry.
Register Today: http://writersadvancebootcamp.com/