Two weeks ago, I mentioned that I would provide a link to a resource for authors who wish to submit manuscripts to Christian publishers. Sorry for the delay, here's that link:
http://www.christianmanuscriptsubmissions.comAnd now for this week's tip: Getting over writer's block with blogging...Many aspiring writers have difficulty getting started. Perhaps you're reluctant to write something for fear of what others will think. I often struggle with concerns over grammar, or sentence structure, both of which are weaknesses that I have. I just move forward and try to edit later, and not worry about what folks think (If you've read my blogs, you can tell I write quickly, without much editing!)
Perhaps you're a writer experiencing a dry period, or writer's block, where you just can't seem to write anything--blogging may be the cure for what ails you!
When you can't seem to write anything, for whatever reason, start a blog, where you can write daily about subjects that come to you fluidly, such as diary passages about what happened during your day, a hobby, dreams, or any topic that you have a passion for.
What is a blog exactly? Blog is a funny word, but it is short "Web log." Blogging basically involves writing short, diary-type entries on any topic, that one shares with the entire world. If you allow ads on your blog, you can earn money as well. Google has a great service that I use, called Blogger.com, which permits one to create a free blog and restrict ads to specific topics, such as Christianity.
Last year, the U.S. morning news program, Good Morning America, did a really good story on how one can use a blog to spread a message and earn money.
I personally encourage Christians to use the Internet to spread the Gospel through blogging.
I currently have three blogs, the one you're currently reading, as well as my daily blog about Bible Study and Christian resources called
BibleStudyCafe.com and
Helmet of Salvation, a blog where I offer my opinions on topics of interest to Christians. By using these blogs, I have an opportunity to write, almost every day and therefore keep my writing muscles (my mind) in shape, just as daily exercise keeps the body in shape.
Sometimes I "re-purpose" or take one blog topic and use it with my other blogs. For example, the entry you're currently reading, was originally written for my
BibleStudyCafe.com blog, but I re-purposed and slightly changed the focus to fit this specific blog on writing tips. In other words, whenever possible, I try to use something I've written in different ways. Basically, the idea is to write once, and use the material multiple times and in different ways.
As a Christian writer, I think of blogging in this fashion:
In Acts 1:8, Jesus told his disciples and us, that when we accept Jesus, the Holy Spirit will help us to witness to others: "... you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." The Internet makes it possible to witness for Christ to the uttermost parts of the earth.
Have a blessed day, by spreading the Good News about Jesus!
Your Brother in Christ,
Steven Kendall