Those unexpected writerly benefits

 Apart from any innate, God-given literary talent we might possess, there are certain qualities that are helpful to have or develop, I believe, if we are going to last the distance as writers – things such as patience, self-discipline, perseverance and humility, for a start. But I wonder if you have ever considered how, as we hopefully grow in these areas via our writing journeys, these can also benefit us in other endeavours we might undertake in life.

Take perseverance, for example. Recently, I started learning the violin, an instrument I have always wanted to play. As I practise, I am thankful for all the perseverance God has taught me in my writing journey of over twenty years now. Without that determination to keep writing, even when deeply discouraged, I suspect I would not keep trying again each day now to play a recognisable tune on my violin. Instead, I would have given up weeks ago, after yet another practice session filled with false starts, scratchy sounds and plain wrong notes!

 In the time I have been playing, I have also needed to walk the humble path of being a complete rookie yet again and of making copious mistakes, especially when trying to play for someone else. Eek! But I still remember my early attempts at novel writing and how humbling it was to receive honest feedback from critique partners and editors and am grateful for the lessons learnt then. I remember too discovering such concepts as handling point of view well in fiction and of finding my own writer’s voice – concepts I had never heard of when I first started writing. The need to be willing to learn back then and to continue to do so is definitely paying off for me now, I believe, as I struggle with figuring out how to use my bow well and exactly where to put my fingers so that those notes do not sound flat and scratchy.

Then there is the whole area of attention to detail needed as I practise each day. Whenever I make a mistake, rather than forging on, I try to discipline myself to go back over the particular phrase until I get it right. Those little errors matter – just as our little errors in grammar and punctuation matter in our writing, if we are not to put readers off or confuse them. So I am thankful for the many times I needed to be meticulous about such things in my writing. My hope is that, just as those grammar and punctuation rules have now become second nature to me, so those things that make for good violin technique will also become second nature – one day!

God has more beautiful music ahead for each of us to make, not only through our words, but in life in general, whether we are musicians or not. So in those moments when we may wonder if all the effort involved in writing is worth it, may we all remember how God sees the bigger picture of our lives, knows what we need and is shaping and blessing us in ways and for purposes we may never expect.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Jo-Anne Berthelsen is a Sydney-based author of seven novels and four non-fiction works. She holds degrees in Arts and Theology and has worked in teaching, editing and local church ministry. Jo-Anne loves encouraging others through both the written and spoken word and is a keen blogger. Jo-Anne’s latest book, God Moments, is available via her website, Koorong Books and Amazon