The first person I spoke to at The Relevant Blogging Conference said it out loud. She said, “You are a writer. You have a voice.” I was stunned. I back pedaled and she said, “Why don’t you believe it?” Oh wow. Why don’t I believe it?
Looking back, words have always been important to me. I communicate. I talk. I always have. In 3rd grade, let’s just say citizenship was not my best grade. I said words, all the time.
During my middle school years, words began to pour out. I put words on wide ruled notebook paper, folded them in fun shapes, and handed them to my BFF in the hallway. They were words about life, love, and Kevin Bacon.
In college my words were timid. Small town girls on Big 10 Campuses don’t have much to say. My English Professor confirmed that, with searing words that made me want to hide. Still, I wrote, mostly in fabric covered journals.
Moving to a far off place in my 30’s, I put my words in letters sent to friends back home. They sent words to me of prayer and encouragement that gave me strength. Words have always been my friends.
A few years back, I sat around a table to study The Word with amazing women. We shared life and grace for 3 years. At the close of our journey we wrote words to each other, and read them aloud. Tear stained pages have never been so beautiful. They said to me, “You are a writer. You should be writing.” Writing became a calling on my life that I could not ignore.
I came to this blogging space 2 years ago at the urging of my sweet husband who said, “You should blog. You need to be writing.” Still, I wondered what I would say and who in the world would care anyway? One day I took a leap of faith, typed my first word and hit publish. Somewhere along the way, I learned I don’t write because I have all the answers. I write because I do not. I write because words are part of who I am. I write because I am a writer, girl.
Still, I worry about what I write. And I think sweet Bonnie’s words sunk down deep in my heart because I want it to be true. I want to be good enough to be called a writer. I want my words to be good, period. I found this quote by Julia Cameron, hitting especially close to home this week:
…most of us try to write too carefully. WE try to do it “right”. We try to sound smart. We try, period. Writing goes much better when we don’t work at it so much. When we give ourselves permission to just hang out on the page. The Right to Write , page 3 (emphasis mine)
Oh Stacey! Go for it! You are a writer. Your husband and I had a little chat about that here in Thailand.
Will love to see even more what you have to say.
Thank you Judy for your encouragement! I’m growing, little by little in this area!
What a beautiful idea. I love it! I struggle to claim, “I’m a writer,” as I always feel like that title should be reserved for those who are published. Yet, on the other hand, authors are published. Writers write. And based on how I spend my time each week, I am most certainly busy writing. In that regard, I’d love to participate. I think it could be a spiritually, freeing journey. Does the writing have to be a blog post, or could I leave a link to one of my handouts, as that’s the form most of my writing takes?
Thanks, Stacey. I’m really glad I bumped into your space a month ago. I feel welcomed, encouraged, and comfortable here!
Blessings,
Lisa
I think as long as the writing has an url you can link it up Lisa.
I am reading a neat book called “The Right to Write” and she talks about that very thing. It was written before blogging really came along. I think the neat thing about blogging is that we are “published”. Maybe not in print,but we write and people read it.
Hope you link up. We will be doing it each Monday this month!
Thanks for the quick response, Stacie! This week, I’m actually going to link up a post I wrote last month, a piece that is still on my heart. It was a time when I wrote what I was feeling, not just what I planned to cover. It is a piece that means much to me, as a write. Finding grace. To write. Blessings!
Your words amaze me!
Thank you sweet friend.
I love this post! and your words always makes me smile, love your word of wisdom and even your picture are words to this blog. Thank you for sharing “your VOICE” with us all, you are worth READING 😉
Oh, “voice”, that is another thing I’ve been thinking about, too! Thank you for hearing it clearly Renee!
I so appreciate your words of affirmation!
Oh my friend, you are a weaver of words in the most beautiful way. I encounter God on 29 Lincoln Avenue … because He is here. From WIWW where He reminds us that we are beautiful to the lovely grace notes where He invites us to wallow in the gift of grace … He is here.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
You have no idea what that means to me!
Love this!! it’s exactly what I’ve been going through. Looking forward to linking up! Thanks for doing this.
I’ve linked up! Scary…..well, not really!
Me too 🙂 Thanks for the chance to get to know some others…
It is so nice to have friends in this journey! I have been enjoying all the posts! I know you will be inspired.
Stacey, Thanks for being vulnerable, for offering this place to link up and for visiting my blog today and leaving a comment. I never set out on the journey to become a writer, writing found me actually. But after writing features for four years, writing became a passion, not a job. May we all evolve into the writer He wants us to be, sharing the message on His heart with those he brings.
Amen Shelly! What a beautiful prayer for all us writer, girls! So glad you added your voice today!
Sitting around a table with a group of women to study the Word is one of my favorite things to do! Same with writing. I share your passion for words and look forward to reading more of yours!
i am so glad to have met you and i have throughly enjoyed your writing! keep it coming, girl!
Thank you Caroline! I’m so glad you were at Relevant, too!
you ARE a writer girl!! and when i grow up i want to weave my words like you! 🙂
seriously friend … you inspire me!
Oh sweet friend, you are making me blush! Thanks!
Jamie you must join us! If not this week, next week! I promise it won’t hurt a bit! And thank you, so much!
I’m with you on this, sister. You and are shockingly similar except my writing in middle school was about Ralph Macchio. HA.
We ARE writers. We love words and weave them into a tapestry that honors Him – and it’s always beautiful to Him. Even with typos or incorrect grammar or run-on sentences or all of the above.
Thank you for starting this – also, I had no idea that we both started blogging at the same time. LOVE THAT, TOO!
Man, I hope you did not have the same prof I had my freshman year! 🙂 Not a good first writing experience!
Natalie – you are such a gift to me. I love this crazy blogging world, and that I met you, so much like me in it!
But really, Ralph? 🙂
Stacey, Thank you for writing with honesty and intention. I have only recently stepped into the blogging world and like any creative effort, there comes a sense of uncertainty and fear and doubt and any other number of reasons NOT to follow your heart. Your words are a comforting affirmation to press on and share my voice. Best, Canny!
Stacey, when I read this at the end —
“So I was thinking, if you don’t mind, this writer, girl will be giving her self permission to hang out on this page. ”
— I choked up with a lump in my throat. It makes me so happy to hear you say “this writer, girl” and “giving herself permission”.
Yes, beautiful writerly friend. It’s makes my heart happy to hear you say “Yes” to the gift God has put in you.
You really don’t have to try. You just need to give yourself permission to write.
Now, you don’t need anyone to say you are a writer, because I hear you saying through this post –
“I am a writer. I have a voice.”
You do, indeed Stacey. Let it out and keep speaking to us, so we can hear God speak through your world.
So blessed to hug you at Relevant and tell you what God has put on my heart about your words.
Ahhh Bonnie! You bless and bless and bless some more! Thank you sweet sister. And congratulations on your upcoming long overdue book with Revell! I’ll be waiting to read it. May God move your pen with passion and grace friend!
Yes, yes, yes. Just hanging out on the page. I so relate to almost everything you’re saying! (Except I never had a thing for Kevin Bacon. ha)
Nice writing!
Love this honesty, heartfelt post — and I LOVE Writer, Girl. I need to come by next Monday and link up! Cool idea, Stacey.
I found your blog through the 31 Days series. Your series was my favorite! Thanks for writing! You are a writer!!
You are so sweet to say that Cori! I appreciate your encouragement more than you know!
“I learned I don’t write because I have all the answers. I write because I do not. I write because words are part of who I am. I write because I am a writer, girl.”
I love that, and the quote that you shared, about not working at it so much…so encouraging!
I am so glad that you and Katie started this linky…I think great things are going to come from here!
Lindsey – I think you are right on that prediction. May God do more than we ask for or imagine through it!
Umm…how did I not meet you at Relevant? Just followed Michelle DeRusha over here after she linked at her place. I’m so bummed I didn’t get the chance to connect. Anyway. Checking out your community now, writer girl!