Writerly Giving

There are so many beautiful things about writing. But one of the most beautiful things to me has been the opportunity to write in community with other writers. I have been blessed to know and write alongside many other young Christian authors.

When it comes to writing in community, there are two parts to it: giving, and receiving. To be able to receive, someone has to give. And when every writer in the community is giving, giving, giving, every writer is also receiving.

Giving can take so many different forms. I know from my own writing, and from what my writer friends have told me, that having a faithful reader who loves your story is one of the greatest blessings while writing. Simply reacting to the story can be so encouraging. When a writer is down or stuck in writer’s block, a short comment from an enthusiastic reader can make their day.

Constructive feedback, too, is something that so many authors are looking for and love to receive. This one can be harder for me at times, because I don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings or make them feel bad about their writing. But I’ve learned that, just as much as I want constructive feedback, so do all the other authors I know. Of course, be nice, but I’ve never met a writer that didn’t love constructive feedback on the story.

Brainstorming with an author stuck in writer’s block is a huge way to give to other writers. I recently got the chance to brainstorm with a fellow writer whose stories I absolutely adore, and it was incredibly rewarding for me as well as the author I was helping! I didn’t have much idea what to do when I went into it, but it’s really a lot easier than it sounds. I started by listening to her problem. And then I asked questions. A lot of them. At first the questions were designed to help me get a better idea of what was going on in the scene, what there was to work with. Later on, they were more like idea-questions. Even though a lot of them didn’t work, they eventually led to her being able to solve the problem!

Another way writers (or anyone) can give to other writers is by listening. This is definitely something I can still work on, though I know can be a whole lot of fun! But I cannot tell you how many times I have solved a plot hole just because I was telling one of my friends about something in my story, went off on a tangent about a problem, then stopped mid-sentence because I had just figured it all out. Shout out to all those people out there who have listened to writers rambling on and on about their stories. It means so much to us!

And of course, prayer is a huge way to give to other writers. When they’re feeling down about their writing, whether it’s because of discouragement, writer’s block, or something else, it is incredibly encouraging to know that someone else cares and is praying!

What it all really comes down to, I think, is that giving in community with other writers comes from caring about them and their writing journey. When you truly care, what you give to them will come from that. And it makes worlds of difference in their writing journey. I can honestly say my stories would be nothing like what they are - and probably not even half as good - if it weren’t for the many writers that had come alongside me and encouraged me and given me their honest feedback.

Even the act of writing the story is an act of giving. One of my favorite things about writing in community is getting to read all the stories my friends have written. These writers have so much talent, and someday I hope to place many of their stories on my shelf of honor beside Lord of the Rings and The Wingfeather Saga. I simply can’t wait for that.

And as Elvira wrote on last week, even the ability to write is a gift. It's a gift to be given. Given back most importantly to God, given to the world, not hidden like a light under a basket.

It’s really beautiful the way all the parts of writing in community work together. A writer gives a story to his or her readers. Which, to be honest, can be very challenging at times, especially at first! The readers receive a beautiful story, which can encourage and uplift them, and then they can give right back to the writer. And then when they put their own stories, they too, will receive from their readers. And it just keeps going. When everyone gives, everyone also receives. It's all about giving. And it’s beautiful.