Roadblocks to Writing

Ever feel that way while writing? You scream on the inside for help because creativity is not flowing. Or you want to write but you procrastinate by checking your email first or you hop on Facebook for a quick sec. Only to realize you've chewed up all your writing time by NOT WRITING.

There are many roadblocks. Each of us may experience different blocks: distraction, procrastination, emptiness, to name a few. My thought is that the evil one wants to do everything in his power to keep us from using the God-given gifts that we have. You may not think that writing is very important - it's just a "hobby" or something wanted to do but chalked it up to a childhood dream. However the desire to write, to express yourself, still exists no matter how hard you try to ignore it. Well, don't ignore it. Pay close attention to that desire - it's a desire placed in you by God. Embrace it, Trust Him. And write.

But roadblocks will still come. How do you move past them? This is the topic at Pages for the month of February, "Roadblocks to Writing." I hope you will consider joining us every Wednesday in Feb (2/1, 2/8, 2/15, 2/22, and 2/29). We meet in the large conference room at LWCC, room 112 from 6:30-8PM. Bring your notebook and writing utensil. Laptops are alright too, as long as they are on "mute." There's nothing like a quiet writing time interrupted with a loud "ding!" notifying everyone in the room that you just got mail. :0)

The Pages writing community is going rapidly. If you know you will be attending in February, please email me (deAnn) as I may have to get a larger room. I love it!

Hope to see you next Wednesday!

grace & peace,
deAnn

Night of Art (a.k.a. NOA)

While The Studio is off for the month of February, we are having a one-night event where creativity can flow insanely, it's the Night of Art.

Here are the details:

Wednesday, February 8

6:30-8:30 PM

LWCC's coffee bar gallery area

Fee: $4*

RSVP to deAnn (717-755-0089 x126) by Friday, 2/3

*that gets you an 11x14 canvas panel and use of all our art supplies.

You don't have to be an "artist" to attend NOA. Just embrace the fact that you are created in God's own image which means you have His creative essence. Come and explore that creativity in a safe and encouraging environment. Prompts will be given in case you need a jumping off point. Please RSVP so I have enough canvases for everyone.

See you at NOA!

deAnn

Steps of Courage

For A New Beginning

by John O'Donohue

To Bless the Space Between Us

In out-of-the-way places of the heart,

Where your thoughts never think to wander,

The beginning has been quietly forming,

Waiting until you were ready to emerge.

For a long time it has watched your desire,

Feeling the emptiness growing inside you,

Noticing how you willed yourself on,

Still unable to leave what you had outgrown.

It watched you play with the seduction of safety

And the gray promises that sameness whispered,

Heard the waves of turmoil rise and relent,

Wondered would you always live like this.

Then the delight, when your courage kindled,

And out you stepped onto new ground,

Your eyes young again with energy and dream,

A path of plenitude opening before you.

Though your destination is not yet clear

You can trust the promise of this opening;

Unfurl yourself into the grace of beginning

That is at one with your life's desire.

Awaken your spirit to adventure;

Hold nothing back, learn to find ease in risk;

Soon you will be home in a new rhythm,

For your soul senses the world that awaits you.

This is one of my favorites by John O'Donohue. It leaves me speechless and even breathless. Life is crazy. We may find ourselves standing in that "doorway" of a new beginning at different times in life. Standing on the stoop scared to leave the tired familiar "comfortable" place yet, not courageous enough to take the first step out into the energized unfamiliar risk - the new beginning God has for you. All I know is that we must trust Him. As the line says, "You can trust the promise of this opening; Unfurl yourself into the grace of beginning that is at one with your life's desire." We desire to trust Him. We move slowly. Our courage builds. A verse that comes to mind is: "Wait patiently for the Lord, be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord." Maybe you are waiting for the door of a new beginning. Maybe you've been waiting for years. Or maybe you know the door is right in front of you, yet you are timid and unsure. Be brave and courageous. The Lord to guide your next step, just ask Him to walk with you, closely.

Does Mr. O'Donohue's poem (blessing) speak to the "out-of-the-way places of your heart"? If so, don't dismiss it - take time and sit before God and offer that feeling up to Him. Ask Him to reveal your new beginning and listen closely for His voice and encouragement.

grace & peace on the creative journey,
deAnn

Open Your Heart

Here is the video I opened the Writers' Retreat with on Satuday. Many asked about it. I could watch this every morning before my feet hit the ground running...

The Importance of Truth in Writing

Author Mary DeMuth will be speaking at Living Word Community Church on Friday, Febuary 3, 7:00-8:30 pm on the topic: The Importance of Truth in Writing.

This event is located in The Gallery @ Common Grounds Coffee Bar, LWCC. There is no fee for this event.

We'd love to have you join us!!

grace & peace,
deAnn

First Writers' Retreat

Infuse[d] Arts hosted its first Writers' Retreat on Saturday, January 14 from 8:00 am - 12 pm. Nineteen writers attended the "two-in-one" retreat: work on a writing project or meet with others in a more structured, prompt-driven, intimate group. I'd say it was about 50/50.

The connecting time as a whole group was inspiring. The project people shared what they are working on which lead to great conversation. The group writers' time was powerful and we saw God moving in big ways around that large table.

In my next post, I'll feature the video I showed to kick off the morning. It's a thing of beauty and many people shared that it really touched them deeply. It was just a really sweet sweet morning.

The biggest request I saw from the evaluations is the desire for a full day retreat. A close second was "can we have a retreat each month?" At this point, the retreats will be every other month (I'll looking for a date in March) and it will be a full day. So be prepared for lots of inspiration, connecting with other writers, big chunks of time to write and times to share. We learn so much from one another.

The desire you have in your heart to write is a desire placed there by God Himself. It's easy to listen to the all the negative "voices" that say you can't write, you shouldn't write, who's going to read your stuff, what you want to write has been written about a thousand times before. But if you quiet yourself before your Creator, Father God, He will surely tell you that He has given you a one-of-a-kind voice, a unique style, and a passion to communicate something of importance. Listen for His still small voice of encouragement, of love, and inspiration. May His voice be the prominent voice you hear as you continue your journey as a writer in this life.

Check back to this blog for details on March Writers' Retreat.

Grace & peace,
deAnn

The Winter Inklings

The winter edition of Inklings is hot off the press. You can pick up your copy from the ledge in the coffee bar lobby or click here to read it online.

Grace & peace,
deAnn