This is a post linked to Kate Motaung’s online writing group surrounding the book, On Being A Writer:12 Simple Habits for a Writing Life that Lasts, by Ann Kroeker and Charity Singleton Craig.
I identify myself as a writer. This has been a tremendous leap forward . I have been a “closet writer” since childhood but only began to reveal some of my words to a few in college. I was encouraged to pursue writing as a career. I was at that time too enamored with the dream of researching and teaching Medieval History. Life has led me on a circuitous path.
I never stopped writing. In various periods writing took a backseat to teaching and organizing faith education. I wrote in my journals and wrote for work. Eventually I began to blog.
My writing ebbs and flows. I am once again very close to the beginning. At times I wonder if I am being led by the Lord back to where I dropped my writing into a much subservient position in order that I rearrange my life to make more room for the words.
The defining characteristic of my life is my relationship with Christ. I have a Christian worldview that defines and informs everything else I do. The second defining characteristic of my life has always been my connection to words and stories. Writing is more than what I do. It is who I am. To make sense of life I must write about living. My ideas take shape and substance as they hit the paper or screen. I have ideas in my mind, but I have beliefs once they are written down.
I love words. New words are a delight to my senses. I cannot adequately explain why I love descriptive words. I love flowers because seeing them makes me happy. I love babies since their presence makes me smile inside and out. I love words in the same visceral way I love babies and flowers. They give me joy on a level that is too deep for the words I long to find to explain the phenomenon.
On Being A Writer:12 Simple Habits for a Writing Life that Lasts online discussion group
pilgrim journey through life 
Loved your reflection on chapter one. I’m right there with you – loving Jesus and words and marveling in how He made me. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for the kind words.
Love your post of identifying as a writer. I can identify with each of your points. Thanks.
Thank you! I am pleased that you were able to identify with this.
SO glad to have you joining us for this discussion! Thank you for writing and linking up! My favorite line? “Writing is more than what I do. It is who I am.” I can totally relate, and yet find that not a lot of “real life” friends of mine can understand that phenomenon. Thankful to be journeying with you on this path! Keep using your gifts to His glory!
Thank you from the bottom of my heart! It is very reassuring to hear that my words resonate with someone else.
Beautifully put! I loved this: “To make sense of life I must write about living. My ideas take shape and substance as they hit the paper or screen. I have ideas in my mind, but I have beliefs once they are written down.”
“My ideas take shape and substance as they hit the paper or screen.” I like that! I have found so many of my tho’ts that float around in my head have become more concrete as I have written them down, edited and worked on them! all of a sudden, truths i have talked about for a long time, take shape and I understand what i am talking about. it starts to make sense in a more concrete way:)
i never thought this kind of work could be fun! nice to meet you amy:)
Thank you for your kind words, Martha! It is lovely to meet you also.
I can identify with what you said about loving words and by your relationship with Christ defining who you are. It does define us, everything we think, speak, do, believe, and act on. Only people who are in that relationship can understand this.