This week marks the 10-year anniversary of Forward Motion. I have consistently published the blog every week for ten years without skipping a week. Writing Forward Motion hasn’t always been easy. I wanted to make sure I was providing content that was meaningful, helpful, and filled with hope. In some seasons of my life, this was tough, but God continued to give me words and ideas. I decided if He was willing to give me Divine downloads, I needed to faithfully sit at the computer and type.
The Impetus
Sometimes, people ask me what inspired me to start writing a blog. I confess. I approached blogging half-heartedly. I didn’t want the pressure to produce thoughtful, inspirational words every week, but the year I was choir president, I started writing a devotional each week. After my tenure as president ended, choir members told me they missed my “devos”. I was still reluctant to start a blog, but I realized I had a ready-made audience, so I pushed myself to get serious about blogging. I reasoned that God had been faithful to give me a weekly devotional for the choir and would continue to faithfully give me inspirational words.
Naming
It took almost a year to land on a name for the blog. Early on, I knew I didn’t want my blog to be centered on the craft of writing, because there are so many. I kept a running list of potential titles, but ultimately, most were either too broad or too narrow. I had to think long-term. I needed a theme I could sustain for years and still come up with new titles and angles.
Eventually, the idea of life challenges that prevent or slow us from moving ahead emerged, and Forward Motion was born.
Transparency
Allowing yourself to be transparent in your writing is a delicate balance between honesty and retaining personal introspection. There’s a difference between spilling a gut and writing in a manner with which readers can identify.
When you write about life challenges, minus the woe-is-me bent, people identify. Always remember to include gratitude and hope in transparent writing, because without them, you are only spinning a sad tale.
Transparency in life is similar. If you decide to share personal struggles, be sure you select your audience carefully. Weigh the future outcome of sharing honesty with others. Ultimately, those with whom you speak should be trustworthy and honor your request for confidentiality.
Finding My “Voice”
It took a while to find my writing voice, but once I did, I knew I’d found it. The more you write, the better your style becomes. Your writing voice improves and refines over time.
While it’s good to read widely, avoid attempts to adopt the voice of other writers. Cultivate your own voice, patiently waiting for it to develop. Once you find your “voice,” in writing or other endeavors, forward motion increases.
Consistency
Many have asked me how I managed to publish a post every week. Among my secrets: constantly thinking in blog mode, writing when I don’t feel like writing, and planning, when busy weeks are on the horizon. The potential for sudden sickness or unexpected emergencies push me to avoid procrastination.
I also keep a notebook of potential blog titles. Sometimes, those titles sit there for months, several for almost a year, before a direction finally took shape, or an event occurred that spurred forward progress.
Often, I take pictures that initiate a post, or have a simmering idea that something I see in nature solidifies.
Consistency in blogging is important because your audience expects a post. If that post doesn’t show up, over time, they lose interest.
While you may not be able to identify with writing a blog, most of us see the need for consistency in other areas of life. Where do you need to apply and maintain consistency?
Sources of Inspiration
My sources of inspiration vary. Most often, themes come from life events, what I see or experience, and God-given words.
Inspiration is all around us. Although you may not be writing, other forms of creativity stem from inspiration. Make time for stillness and quietness into your schedule. Look for inspiration in unexpected places and through surprise encounters. God inspires gifts of creativity in many forms. Embrace them and utilize them for His glory.
“Use whatever gift you’ve received for the good of one another so that you can show yourselves to be good stewards of God’s grace in all its varieties” (1 Peter 4:10 VOICE).
©CandyArrington
Candy Arrington is an award-winning writer, blogger, and speaker. She often writes on tough topics with a focus on moving through, and beyond, difficult life circumstances. Candy has written hundreds of articles, stories, and devotions published by numerous outlets including: Inspiration.org, Arisedaily.com, CBN.com, Healthgrades.com, Care.com, Focus on the Family, NextAvenue.org, CountryLiving.com, and Writer’s Digest. Candy’s books include Life on Pause: Learning to Wait Well (Bold Vision Books), When Your Aging Parent Needs Care (Harvest House), and AFTERSHOCK: Help, Hope, and Healing in the Wake of Suicide (B&H Publishing Group).
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