You're A Writer

You’re a writer.

It’s in your DNA.

How you answer every professional occupation question. Maybe something like: “I’m a receptionist, mom, nurse, librarian…but I moonlight as a writer.”

Calling ourselves a “writer” is never far from our vocabulary and we usually wear the title with pride. 

Unless you’re experiencing a day when you want to kick this expensive, but oh-so-therapeutic (depending on the day) habit to the curb.

You can’t stop being a writer anymore than you can stop breathing.

Even when you put your writing aside, you see the world differently—through the eyes of someone who knows story inside and out.

But the truth is, being a writer isn’t for everyone.

It’s hard work.

Tough, blood-letting, tear-inducing, hard work. You’ll suffer sleep deprivation, friends misunderstanding your devotion, and struggles with fake people that insist on arguing back.

But I don’t need to tell you know this. Because there is 100% of a chance that if you’re reading this, you already know what I’m talking about.

So why do you write? Why do you put words on lined paper or a blank screen? Why do you invest in writer’s conferences, how-to books, and editorial work?

We all know it won’t pencil out financially in the end.

We don’t just do it because we’re in love with words. If that were the only case, we’d just stay home in our PJ’s and write in our evenings and weekends.

We do it because we’re following in our Savior’s footsteps. The greatest Man who has ever walked this earth and ever will walk this earth told story to communicate His point. He wove his words together to use story to reach the lost, the hurting, the broken, the thick-in-the-head (and let’s be honest, that’s all of us.)

When we tell a story, no matter how good or bad it is, we’re stepping closer to our Savior in a different way. That’s not to say we’re more special, important or spiritual than anyone else. (Heavens, no! Someone slap me if I ever go that far.)

But we have an opportunity to reach the lost, the hurting, the broken, the poor in spirit with the words of a story like our Savior did.

So partner with Him in that story-weaving process. Partner with Him to tell those around you why these words are so important to you.

And remember that truth on the days when the words are tight. The flow is blocked and the joy is gone.

Then go read one of Jesus’ parables and remind yourself why you call yourself a storyteller. 

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Casey Herringshaw is a homeschool graduate and has been writing since high school. She is a country girl now living in a metropolis of Denver, Colorado, employed as an administrative assistant at Wordserve Literary.