Up to now I have only written in this blog about my own experiences and disciplines. But I have to admit I don’t think I have ever prayed at all about what I should be reading. I recognize reading voraciously is essential to being a writer. And it is beneficial to my character and the enjoyment of life. A number of books have greatly impacted my thinking and writing. And I have prayed about the content of those that struck my spirit and drew me closer to God. But it has somehow never occurred to me to pray about everything I was reading or about what I would like to read, say this month, this year or before I die.
So, I admit that these ideas are not tested truths. I am beginning to tiptoe into them and I hope to test them out in the coming weeks and months. I would really like to hear what some of you think or how you may have prayed regarding your reading.
I intend to begin each year by spending time praying about what I would like to read in the year. We are two months into 2017, but I intend to try to carve out time to pray about what God wants me to read this year. I also would like to do this at the beginning of the summer and before a trip.
I think I should also pray about the kind of books I want to be reading. I usually read more than one book at once. Don’t be impressed. I am such a slow reader that it takes me forever to get through one. But I try to always be reading a fiction book and a nonfiction. I know a few people who never read one or the other of these. I don’t think that is a good plan, especially for a writer. Both will broaden your perspective.
I also want to pray to learn technique from things I read. I remember hearing Charles Shedd say he had fifty rules by which he measured and edited his writing. I certainly need to see things I should and should not do in my writing. This needs to be a work of God. I need Him to teach me as I read.
I could pose several other principles or elements of praying for my reading. But as I admitted I have never done it at all. And when I know so little about a subject I am in danger of writing on and on. So, I will end here. But I may take up this subject again after I have read some of your comments and after I have tried to do it for a while.
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Comments
I am so moved, Malva! Thank you. Very few people who write have any training at all. I pray your children's books will be published. I don't think there is any part of your comment I could not write about. But I will content myself simply to enjoy and cheer.
Hi David. May God guide your steps in your reading and bring the books He has chosen for you into your hands, and may those bless your writing.
I agree with you that reading is a necessity for better writing.
It may sound strange, but my reading includes books written for young children. I find lots of children's books at the Friends of the Library sales for very little money. The reason is that I have very young grandchildren. I am appalled at some of the popular children's books these days - they are toxic! Even though I am not trained well for writing children's stories (I took a one year class at a college a few years ago), I had to forget a lot that I learnt there - the class was geared to make money, therefore was about writing popular stuff, not necessarily good stuff, especially godly writing in line with Biblical truths. I am trained in Nature Science (Biology/Ecology), and decided to use that as basis for stories for my grandchildren. As I believe that God is the Creator of everything, as well as the Author of the Bible, I just want to show my grandchildren that there is no conflict between the Bible and Science/creation.
English is my second language which makes it a little harder as well. I use the dictionary (hard copy) and thesaurus (online) all the time. I never thought I would have so much fun reading my synonym book (hard copy) - it is full of little sticky notes. It is fun to play with words. (I am clearly a nerd!)
Writing for the Lord is a spiritual battle. Therefore, I frequently ask our prayer group to pray for me and my writing. Doing a good job takes time. One of the most important lessons that God is teaching me in my writing is patience. None of my children's writing has been published yet - it is not nearly ready for that, but I have peace that God will do with it what He wants, when He wants.
I think that fifty rules to measure and edit are quite a lot! I would like to know what those rules are. For myself right now, I try to focus on what will flow and read easily for children interested in nature. I know it is a small group, but they do exist and there are very few books that combine nature facts and a Biblical perspective.
I don't think that God has called me to write a best seller, but I do know that God called me to be a blessing to the people He placed in my life. If my writing brings my grandchildren closer to God (even if they are the only ones who may read my stories), I shall consider my writing a success and praise the Lord.
Another thing - I love my kindle! I prefer to read books (other than children's books) on the kindle. It is much easier on the eyes, although I still prefer hard copy books to underline and make study notes.
God bless you and your writing.
Malva.