Writer's Feedback: Reaping What You Have Sown

Does it bother you when people read your post on social media and don’t leave a comment in order to engage in a conversation?

Yet, when it comes to negative media or information, people LIKE, COMMENT and SHARE, but you so graciously put your positive, thoughtful and inspirational thoughts out there for the world to see and to enhance the kingdom of God and it seems no one responds, but you know they are reading it because when they see you, they want to talk about it.

Are you reaping what you have sown?  Let’s check ourselves and then be an example. 

The next time you read a post, leave a comment to let the writer know you are reading their thoughts.  As a writer, you should know the importance and acceptance of feedback when you leave a comment or share social media insights that intrigue you especially in a positive manner.

And when it comes to negative media, I would say “don’t pay it any mind”.  But, go ahead and read it, but be the person to bring light to the dialogue.  Get people to think about what is written in a different way; renew their minds with question or positive insight.  

 What does the word of God say?  The devil may have meant it for evil, but He can make it for the good.  Be heard with your words.  Be the salt of this earth.  We don’t have to raise our voices, #justwrite!

The Trials and Tribulations of Writing: Tricia's Story

I remember when I first started to write my first book. I was so excited because the idea for it just came to me in the middle of some contemplative thoughts spurred by a traumatic event.  For just a moment, I needed to drift away to a place where I could escape the present anguish and pain I was going through at the time. I noticed I do that from time to time. I've since learned that it's part of a writer's DNA. Nevertheless, as soon as I returned from LA-La land, I pulled out my laptop and began capturing it on paper. My fingers couldn't move fast enough for the outpouring of thoughts formulated into words reading across my forehead like the stock ticker on MSNBC. 

Before I knew it, the outline was complete from beginning to end, with character names, places, and the storyline formulated etc..etc..and now I just needed to fill in the blanks of the details. After a couple of days went by, I decided to close my laptop and rest on what I just created. The next time I opened my laptop, my book was GONE!!  My hard drive just stopped working.  After many attempts, to no avail, I gave up & took it to the experts. As the computer geeks proceeded to tell me that my work, my creative juices, in essence, my baby...was DEAD! It was on a lifeline and they saw little to no evidence of brain activity and would have to do major surgery to gear it up again so that they could possibly retrieve the information. After hearing that it could run up to hundreds to thousands of dollars, I began to feel ill & tuned out. Devastation was not enough to describe that feeling of loss for your work. One's writing is a piece of art; it can't be REcreated nor duplicated. Initially, I didn't give up & went to several different experts who ALL told me the same thing or just to take a loss. “A LOSS????”  “Are they crazy???”, I screamed to myself. How does one just take “a loss” with his/her very first book? I finally conceded. I cried for months and developed a writer's block for almost five years; until one day...God placed another book in my belly and I began to write again.

     After having started the second book, eventually He brought into remembrance the first book and I was able to continue writing the rest of the story. His anointing reawakened me to whom He created me to be...once a scribe forever a scribe!

     Whenever I tell that story, I can't emphasize enough how important it is to have backup for your work. Nowadays, even as advanced as technology is, a writer MUST back up his/her work in several different flash and external hard drives. Six years ago, I wasn't a GOOgLE Doc enthusiast yet (I’m ashamed to admit it was my daughter who put me on to becoming one) and concepts of the cloud was just being introduced into mainstream. Now, even with Google and other cloud programs, I still have my work backed up in several different places. I figure, once my books are published then I can erase many of the original drafts but NEVER the final one.  Always retaining the original to serve as a reminder to never leave work vulnerable like that again!

    

     I took the liberty of asking for feedback regarding other users of their experiences with products that are worth the investment.  An external hard drive still remains my #1 choice for saving all work.  Designate one solely for your writings already published or yet to be published. In addition, memory stick/ flash drives preferably with a password feature is what I use when I’m on the go or can’t get a signal for wi-fi to sign in to my Google doc account.  Finally, using a program like Google which already has auto update.

My top 5 choice of products based on personal or public review that can be found in any tech or online  store:

-“Western External” Hard Drive ($29.99-$109 depending on the memory capacity)

-“My Passport Ultra” ($60-$65)

-“Lexar” flash drive ($6 -$9 bucks)

-“Scandisk” flash drive ($3-$6 bucks)

-Google; create and use an account that provides cloud memory and the ability to share your work with for example, your editor after you’ve finished your book.

     In my case, thank you Jesus that the Holy Spirit served as my flawless reminder but we must also continue to be diligent and treat each time we're able to put that pen to the paper, as a serious moment in time where we connect to a part of the essence of our being. ~ Tricia Scott

Welcome to "The Write Moment"!!

3 Things about “The Write Moment”

#JUSTWRITE! started on Facebook back in December 2013 or January 2014, somewhere along those lines and there are already over 100 members in the group and counting.  Based on feedback we received from a conducted survey, the Writers Support Group started in May and is where we meet face to face, once a month.  Our first meeting was the day after the great “Maya Angelou” transitioned into glory.  It was sad, but encouraging to know she passed away with all her words out of her. 

#JUSTWRITE! is where your word counts.  This group was created to engage the writer.  You have said, “I need to write a book” and yet there was no accountability or encouragement.  If you have not read the book, "Scribal Purpose", it is posted in the ARTS: Just Write Group under the "Files" Tab.  It provides insight about the “Biblical call” of a writer.  Writers must understand their responsibility to the Kingdom of God as prophets.

3 Reasons Why “The Write Moment” blog was created:

(1) To inform the writer that writing it’s not an easy task.

There is WAAaay more to writing than just being able to put your thoughts on paper and expect someone to read it. 

(2)  To learn about the writing experience and the challenges from another writer.

It is our prayer that whatever is in you will be put in print as the Lord leads you with the help of the Holy Spirit.

(3)  To find encouragement and identify with real stories.

Please know that you are not alone, and you don’t have to be alone on your writing journey.  Authors, bloggers, and other writers are here to share their writing experiences.   As I have shared with many people, you will get what you put in.    You can’t go to a vending machine and expect the item you want to jump out. However, if it happens CONTACT me, so I can tell you what I like.   

I don’t care how anointed you are and how many scriptures you know.  In order for that book to be released, you have to make a commitment to #JUSTWRITE!  Just like you have to put money in the vending machine to get what you want, time and money is one in the same.

#JUSTWRITE! is a part of the Embassy International Chamber of Commerce (EICC), a non-profit organization for kingdom entrepreneurs.  As an entity of EICC, you will learn how to use your writing to do business, recognize that we as writers are not perfect, and understand that in the literary industry, we have to deal with a lot of changes. You will also understand that we are able to contribute to other business leaders as well. There will be edits, but surely we can learn from one another as writers.  It is our goal to have fun together and to support one another when asked.  Please be mindful that you will reap what you sow in the business of writing.  As I’ve heard in many stories by the President of EICC, Reginald Winfrey, you have to sow seeds.

Please read the “The Seven Mountain Mantle” by Johnny Enlow and focus on the Mountain of Media.

Blessings