tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443765296489868573.post8960696006954364720..comments2023-11-02T05:29:57.954-04:00Comments on From the Heart: Is Writing a Gift or a Honed Skill? by Diana FlegalAndy Scheer, Hartline Literaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09010440105558099014noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443765296489868573.post-33483081439092333592013-06-19T16:26:07.140-04:002013-06-19T16:26:07.140-04:00Excellent subject Diana,if someone is called to wr...Excellent subject Diana,if someone is called to write, they have the gift. If they have the gift to write then they will be called to use it in some way. God determines that way and we as writers must yield to that divine guidance and not to the clamor of the people. Yes, many people think they have a story to tell or have the desire to write. It's human. I have a desire to sing but I know better. In the shower or my kitchen is about it for me crooning any kind of tune. But I'd love to belt out a soulful tune like Aretha Franklin or love song like Whitney. But once again...I know better. I might want to sound like them but I don't. I am not a singer extraordinaire. On a good day I can maybe hold a tune good enough for you to recognize the song. people fantasize all the time about writing novels, singing, acting and such. If not called, leave it alone. Get in YOUR lane!Marlene/Novelladyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08159928965340764077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443765296489868573.post-10814716682201010172013-06-13T11:32:21.623-04:002013-06-13T11:32:21.623-04:00An absolutely fantastic post, thank you, Diana! I&...An absolutely fantastic post, thank you, Diana! I've been kicking this whole issue around for quite a while now. Do I have this gift? If I do, I want to be better at it, but still, self-doubt rears its ugly head whenever I sit down to write. Should I stop now, or is this just my introverted nature rebelling at coming out of my comfort zone?<br /><br />Sigh. I understand no one likes to be told they don't have a particular gift. A gift that they truly want. But it's worse to be told this by an honest stranger when your dearest friends have told you otherwise. <br /><br />I look forward to what your next posts have to say! Amanda Stephanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04439037390476619553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443765296489868573.post-41628397909194956422013-06-13T11:16:37.253-04:002013-06-13T11:16:37.253-04:00Thanks for sharing these thought provoking ideas. ...Thanks for sharing these thought provoking ideas. The issue of gifts and what we do with them is both simple and complex. Likewise, I'm sure that your job is both wonderful and frustrating at the same time. Wonderful when you unwrap that interesting, well writtten manuscript. Frustrating when you unwrap that ill conceived, poorly written one. Yet, there is no way to find the good ones without wading through the bad ones. Maybe that is the essence of living this life. We have to get through the bad moments gracefully, so that we will still be around to enjoy the good ones! Thanks for prodding me to think about this.Audreyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06566445701210795801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443765296489868573.post-82436353515922765562013-06-12T19:51:36.835-04:002013-06-12T19:51:36.835-04:00I've always felt that writing is both--a gift ...I've always felt that writing is both--a gift and something that has to be developed. The unwrapped gift analogy was wonderful. But, something I've been thinking a lot about is the fact that the gifts we're not given can also be gifts. I cannot draw, anything. Growing up, no amount of practice or art classes in school could change that. But the ideas and images in my heart needed expressed. When I finally gave up putting my energy into drawing, and put it all into writing, I found my place.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443765296489868573.post-25718599043573871622013-06-12T18:26:57.117-04:002013-06-12T18:26:57.117-04:00This is a subject I know well. I have several &quo...This is a subject I know well. I have several "talents" in the arts. My degree is in music and theatre. I also express myself through art, writing, photography, and a few other venues. I know that I was born with "gifts." However, with hard work and study, those gifts grew. <br /><br />I am not a famous artist, actress, or anything else who is praised for being a genius. Is it because I don't have that much talent or because I am not willing to work hard enough to achieve the desired level? <br /><br />I know I have not worked hard enough to reach my potential, mainly because of a lack of self-confidence. But, I can't help but believe God can use my best effort to fulfill His plan for me. In the play/movie AMADEUS, Mozart was depicted as the musical genius (with quirks). Soliari recognized the genius but was not able to compete with it. He considered himself the Patron Saint of Mediocrity. At times, I feel the same way. However, I must realize, as must we all, that whatever gift God has given us is enough, when combined with hard work. No excellent gift is a natural gift. God always leaves room for us to work at it. <br /><br />I am working at my writing. Some days I do okay. Some days I doubt myself. But, I keep working at it. I am certain that is all He requires. He will use it beyond my wildest dreams.Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01876773705678028898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443765296489868573.post-78084220744985930822013-06-12T15:23:00.728-04:002013-06-12T15:23:00.728-04:00Excellent post. Thank you. I believe writing is li...Excellent post. Thank you. I believe writing is like anything else-you might have a knack for it, but it needs to be developed, just like a carpenter or plumber who may have a knack for what they do, but take the time to become apprentices and practice their skills so they can work at a professional level.Flashback Friday Christian Music Reviewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10948045649194999368noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443765296489868573.post-60836601655939087492013-06-12T14:25:59.989-04:002013-06-12T14:25:59.989-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Flashback Friday Christian Music Reviewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10948045649194999368noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443765296489868573.post-78988474734694084932013-06-12T13:17:52.540-04:002013-06-12T13:17:52.540-04:00As a singer and a writer, I like your vocalist an...As a singer and a writer, I like your vocalist analogy. I'm a firm believer that God gives us the gifts, but it's up to us to make the most of them. An unpracticed voice is like an unwrapped present; you've been given the gift -- the opportunity -- but if you never unwrap it and put it to use, it stays just as it is. It may be beautiful in its own right, but it's not being used to its full advantage. Once the gift is unwrapped and put to use, it can even exceed the expectations you had for it.<br /><br />I also believe that if we've been given gifts, it's our responsibility to use them in a way that is pleasing to God. But that's a whole other post :-)Lisa Lawmaster Hesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12643391477229539125noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443765296489868573.post-42249160951585097252013-06-12T13:04:36.244-04:002013-06-12T13:04:36.244-04:00I find the statement, "Practice doesn't m...I find the statement, "Practice doesn't make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect". A person can try over and over again, but if there aren't proper changes along the way, then the practice doesn't matter.<br /><br />I also think that if you have an ear for a story, chances are you can learn to tell a story.<br /><br />I think this is a fascinating subject. Keep us posted!Robin Gilbert Luftighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15676623616230693236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443765296489868573.post-86000273883739552232013-06-12T13:04:29.221-04:002013-06-12T13:04:29.221-04:00I have read where M.F.A. programs are replacing (t...I have read where M.F.A. programs are replacing (to an extent) psychotherapy because people have a chance to "get their story out" in these programs. Too often folks confuse the "story" with the "call." They are experiencing the "felt need" of having someone acknowledge their suffering, a place we've all been. They don't understand the demands of the profession.<br />Just because I have a problem with my toilet and really, really want to fix it with a twist tie doesn't mean I'm a plumber. The rub, of course, is how to convey that truth in love.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15734472977639043711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443765296489868573.post-39985984761107324102013-06-12T13:02:48.874-04:002013-06-12T13:02:48.874-04:00Thanks Kimber, I will check it out. Jill, it is di...Thanks Kimber, I will check it out. Jill, it is difficult at times :-)Diana Flegalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11373354354968232390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443765296489868573.post-16006607969493788662013-06-12T12:35:50.101-04:002013-06-12T12:35:50.101-04:00I struggle with this in Christian writing groups a...I struggle with this in Christian writing groups all the time. "God gave me a story/message." We want to be encouraging and loving, so we tell people what they want to hear--that their writing is great. Even though we know it's not, at all. I want to say, "If God gave you a message, he also gave you the ability to learn and work and take the time to make it good." <br /><br />It's a problem because it raises false hopes when people should be using their time for what God may really want them to do. It also creates a problem for me when I'm expected to promote their work, but I'm trying to build trust with my own social media audience and can't violate that trust by recommending something less than great.<br /><br />It would be so hard to have your job.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03774267389873705088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443765296489868573.post-2630542502332214612013-06-12T12:25:07.094-04:002013-06-12T12:25:07.094-04:00Diana,
You might also like The Path Elements Pro...Diana, <br /><br />You might also like The Path Elements Profile by author Laurie Beth Jones. It is the assessment I use with all of my clients and my favorite out of the many personality assessments out there. I think they are even offering a special on it. Great stuff! Thanks for your insight. http://www.lauriebethjones.com/store/Path-Elements-Profile-PEP.htmlKimber Britnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10482833134627805736noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443765296489868573.post-66939281803965586362013-06-12T11:44:42.324-04:002013-06-12T11:44:42.324-04:00I've actually written about this, and I'll...I've actually written about this, and I'll quote myself: On occasion, people have told me God has given me the "gift" of writing. While I agree God has given me great and wondrous gifts, I don't think God gave me the gift of writing. Instead, these are the gifts I believe I've been given.<br /><br />1. God gave me the gift of the love for reading. Most of us love "stories," and I am no exception to that.<br /><br />2. God gave me the opportunity to develop my reading ability. When we moved into a house in Toul, France, isolated from other Americans and with a basement full of books, I spent over a year immersed in (almost) nonstop reading.<br /><br />3. God gave me the gift of parents who instilled a work ethic in me. Both were raised on farms and knew the value of hard work.<br /><br />4. God gave me the gift of people who have encouraged and helped me on my journey.<br /><br />5. God gave me the gift of curiosity, a desire to learn. Sometimes my progress could have been measured in inches and, yet, I have progressed.<br /><br />If you do not step forward, you will always be in the same place. ~Nora Roberts<br /><br />Going forward is the only way to succeed. By using God's gifts, surrendering to his will, he transforms us into what he wants us to be. I pray he continues to form me as I rely on his power and strength.Sheila Hollingheadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04364884603434329050noreply@blogger.com