"We will yet have Miltons and Shakespeares of our own. God's ammunition is not exhausted. His brightest spirits are held in reserve for the latter times. In God's name and by His help we will build up a literature whose top shall touch heaven, though its foundations may now be low in [the] earth." -- Orson Whitney
I've been hearing a lot about this quote lately. I'm on the Academy for the Whitney Awards, which will present trophies to the most outstanding books by LDS authors published in 2007. I'm tickled to be a part of it.
As I've participated in the blog hoopla surrounding this cool award, I've begun to have deep thoughts. The most quoted portion of this statement is, "We will yet have Miltons and Shakespeares of our own." Orson Whitney was speaking of the LDS people and the potential we have to build our talents. It's exciting to me, as an author, to think that if I persevere and continue to work on improving myself, that I might someday be considered a Milton or a Shakespeare. It's something to shoot for, certainly.
But I think the most important part of that quote goes overlooked much of the time. It reads, "In God's name and by His help." We can't expect God to prosper us if we aren't writing according to His desires for us. If we turn to Him, dedicate the things we write to Him, and ask for help, that is when the doors of Heaven will be opened to us and we'll be able to be wise in the execution of our crafts.
I know that the times when I have really taken myself to the Lord and turned myself over to Him, my writing is better. I find research information more easily. I can get more done in less time. The words simply flow better. When I don't turn to Him, my writing is stiff and clunky. I can't figure out how to get from Point A to Point A and a half, let alone B.
So this is my challenge to those of you who read my blog and are authors. Turn your projects over to the Lord. Make Him your writing partner. Pray for guidance and direction on your plot, your dialogue, your characters. He will open your mind and make the words come.
8 comments:
I've been trying to do this more. Sometimes it is hard to let go, but I am working on it.
Absolutely agree. That has been my experience as well.
Tristi - Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.
Bless you Tristi, for reminding me of an important factor I've left out lately. I am in the habit of beginning every lds writing session with prayer (need to get better at closing with prayer as well) but I have forgotten that step lately as I have been wrapped up in technical writing projects lately. No wonder I'm dragging my feet and not getting things done as quickly. I've forgotten the Lord cares about these projects (and how they affect me) as much as the others.
What a great reminder to all of us!
As a non-writer I have to say that this advice can be used in so many areas. Today I have been practicing a piano piece that I want to be able to play as beautifully as it is meant to be, but it is hard and I keep making the same mistakes. I keep thinking that I need to pray for help, but then I don't. I think I will turn it over to the Lord and see what happens! Thanks!
Mindy, It's the kind of advice that can be applied to any situation. I even pray over my grocery shopping and am able to find better deals than I do when I don't pray. Let us know how the piece goes!
Thanks for the great reminder that we can pray about every single little or big thing in our lives. I know He really does care and I needed this reminder.
Post a Comment