Writing can be a very solitary, lonely pursuit. Even my husband, parents, and son don’t really understand the part of me that’s driven to get the stories out of my head and onto paper. I spent a lot of years going it alone. Eventually I
found two local writing groups. Though some of the members were Christian, they weren’t pursuing Christian publishing. I learned a lot, but there’s nothing like bonding with others writing Christian genres.
For nine years, I submitted books, got rejections, entered contests, went to group meetings and conferences, and got rejections. During that time, I asked several published authors for help. All said they didn’t have time. I understood since they had deadlines, families, and jobs. Eventually, I joined a national Christian writers’ organization, found critique partners, and muddled my way through to publication. I told myself that no matter how busy I got, I’d help unpublished authors when I got the chance.
A few years and published books later, a local Christian writers’ group started meeting thirty minutes away from me. Though we meet monthly, I usually only make three to four meetings a year. Though we have around twenty members, I don’t think we’ve ever all made it to the same meeting. They write everything from Christian Historicals to Romantic Suspense and everything in between, but they are my crew.
A lot of published authors no longer go to meetings. I go to be an encouragement and even though I’ve worked with professional editors, I often learn something new at our meetings, and I always come home with new ideas just from being around so much creativity.
When I have time and I know one of them is discouraged or feeling stuck, I offer to critique their work. And at least
once a year, I offer to critique a certain number of pages or a chapter for everyone. I also teach at least once a year at our meetings and at our annual retreat if I can make it. And I’m often very impressed with the abilities of my friends. Last year, we celebrated Tara’s first book contract and the release of her debut this year.
Our retreat was a few weeks ago at the Mt. Eagle Christian Center just over an hour from me. The retreat is always from Friday to Sunday afternoon, with a worship service at the end. This year, we celebrated Debbie’s first book contract with a cute cake that captured the theme of her upcoming book. I offered critiques for everyone and ended up 
doing four. Since I’m the pastor’s wife, I always leave Saturday evening. As a result, I missed the campfire. And I dearly love those.
No, I didn’t get any writing done though we had free time designated for that. No, I didn’t get to make s’mores. And no, I didn’t get any rest. In fact, I came home exhausted. But ideas percolated just from being with my friends and I wrote a lot after I got home. So I guess you can say, part of my writing process is being around other writers. And I think they help me more than I help them.
Now, it’s your turn. What gets your creativity stirring? One winner will receive a copy of Reuniting with the Cowboy, which I just learned will be repackaged with another author’s title in May.
Award winning author, Shannon Taylor Vannatter writes contemporary Christian cowboy romance and has over a dozen published titles. A romance reader since her teens, she hopes to entertain Christian women and plant seeds in the non-believer’s heart as she demonstrates that love doesn’t conquer all—Jesus does. She gleans fodder for her fiction in rural Arkansas where she spent her teenage summers working the concession stand with her rodeo announcing dad and married a Texan who morphed into a pastor. In her spare time, she loves hanging out with her husband and son, flea marketing, and doing craft projects.
Hi Shannon, I respect that you are willing to invest your own time to help others- what a lovely thing to be able to share even though you are tired and have your own work to focus on. I do not consider myself as being particularly creative, but I know that when I listen to music/read insightful articles/posts that gets me thinking and I need to jot down my ideas before they are lost. Some interesting sermons/worships/classes have come from those random thoughts percolating away!!
Hope you get to enjoy some time around a campfire soon,
Blessings:)
I am so glad you found the right group of people who keep you uplifted and inspired!
Thank you for sharing!
Several things stir my creativity: dreams, art (looking at others but also trying my hand at my own, whether scrapbooking, card-making, or oil painting), other books, research, sometimes just not thinking about anything story-related and giving my creative brain a rest. Music always helps.
Maybe creativity is a muscle that develops more with use? I used to do other creative things — now I mostly write. Since I do it daily, the muscle stays healthy and it’s like I have a date with creativity!
The few times I’ve been on a Christian writing retreat, I really enjoyed it. It’s like you could pluck story concepts out of the air, already bathed in prayer.
I recently went to a screenwriter’s retreat where we spent almost every waking hour writing. In the afternoons we all, there were five of us) took a walk to get coffee and groceries. I’ve never accomplished so much in a week!
There’s something to be said for having no distractions. That being said, I am most creative when I’m well rested and not stressed.
Shannon,
You are awesome! Thank you for giving back even when you are already published yourself. A rare breed indeed. You are an inspiration to all of us .
Shawn
Thanks Wemble. I really enjoy helping other writers follow their dreams. I remember that burning passion to see my words in book form. And when I do, I’m always thankful. Music helps me too.
Hi Paula Marie, they’re really a great group and we have the best time together.
I’m glad you mentioned dreams, Lila. I’ve gotten several ideas and one entire book from dreams. When I get stuck, I go on a walk outside, by myself. It never fails to get the ideas flowing.
Ooh, the story plucking is a great quote, Valerie. You’re muscle is working well. I used to crochet and cross stitch. I don’t anymore since I write. But I still sew curtain toppers and bedspreads, make memory boards, and signs with names of fun sayings. Doing something creative other than writing stirs my writing muscle sometimes.
I took a screenwriting class once, Kimberly. It was actually how to take screenwriting techniques and apply them in your novel. I learned how to start and stop scenes and never forgot it. It was a really great class. I’ve gotten more writing done at past retreats. This one had lots of classes to take – like a mini conference.
Thanks Shawn. I started out a terrible writer with lots to learn and I learned so much from entering writing contests with published judges giving feedback. So they were basically paid critiques. I still have a lot to learn. But I like to pass on what I learn. Don’t get me wrong, I get paid to speak at conferences and other retreats, but I don’t charge my own group and I give extra help when I have time to fit it in.
Very cool, Shannon. This one was focused on writing and we only had a short meeting during the day and then again in the evening. I think studying screenwriting has helped my writing too. :)
Shannon, you are awesome and a inspiration to us all! I like to go to Pintrest for inspiration.
We had a couple of breaks at ours to write, but that’s when I did one on one critiquing with a couple of shy writers.
And you’re a great cheerleader, Shelia. I love Pinterest. I actually start my books there as I look for characters and scene inspiration.
Creativity comes and goes for me. I find the most inspiration when I refuse to do what everyone else is doing – or make sure to think outside the box! I love that you try to give back to help other starting authors.
Thinking outside the box us always good, Susan. And different is always good too. Sounds like we have a lot in common.
I so admire that you give back to the writing community. I am inspired often by touching stories. I get refreshed and inspired by nature and quiet.
Thank you for sharing your journey with us! Bless the Lord that you find your niche. Thank you for writing and lots of blessings!!!
Me too on the nature and quiet, Dalyn. If I can just sit on the porch by myself or walk up the road alone, the ideas start flowing.
Hi Natalya. I actually thought when I started out that I’d write a book and it would get published. Not. It’s a hard road, but so worth it. Blessings to you too.