Writers Wish List

Dear Santa,

I have an unusual request this year. I assume that I'm on the 'nice' list again, but I'm hoping you can leave a single lump of coal in my stocking this Christmas. Lest you think I'm being altruistic or sacrificial, let me assure you this is motivated entirely by self-interest (which should make me a shoe-in for the 'naughty' list next year).

Allow me to explain. I'm a writer and I need a little tension to get the
creative juices flowing. That's right. I'm asking for some angst in my life.
Some drama or injustice. Nothing too severe, mind you. A lump of coal in a good girl's stocking should do the trick. It's then that I'm at my literary best. When everything is smooth sailing I find my words are utterly vanilla. Boring. Monosyllabic. Uncreative and uninspiring.



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This is not the stereotypical brooding artist syndrome. I'm an optimist. But I love to analyze (some have said over analyze) so I crave an emotional dilemma or spiritual battle. I began blogging in earnest three years ago. My job was in jeopardy and I had 75 days to accomplish a list of objectives in order to have a shot at keeping it. 

Writing about it saved me.

The words came easy and helped clarify my emotions. Some days they vindicated me. Other days they convicted me. In the end, the job remained mine. I met my goals and proved my worth. Through the process I was changed and my public journal was evidence of God's transforming work.
But there was more. A spark had ignited and now I needed to write.

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Only what would I write about with the crisis passed?

Over the next two years I experimented with different styles. I wrote about every day stuff and parenting stuff and spiritual stuff. I tried being descriptive and prescriptive and instructional and theological.

But, today as I review my past years' work, I find I have the most joy in my writing when I'm processing pain or searching for clarity in the midst of confusion or exposing my embedded spiritual blind spots and
mis-beliefs.  I've been told that no one will read my blog if I don't give readers helpful advise or tools they can use. But that's not what God gave me to give. All I have is my story. I rarely have a plan for what I want people to take away from the reading of my blog. I share what I'm learning about myself, what I'm learning about God and how it's impacting my life.  That's it.  It's not the path of every writer, but for me, it's the only way.

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In conclusion...

So I'm asking for a little help--a writing kick-start to ensure a joy-filled, inspiring year of writing. However, if this request is too far out of character for you, I will accept an iPad 3 as a consolation gift. 

Merry Christmas,
Kelli

Merry Christmas to my readers!

I'd love to hear from you!  Comment on this blog and include your email address for a chance to win a free Christian yoga DVD from the Peaceful Hymn series at Yahweh Yoga.  Three readers will be gifted with the single DVD of their choice. (Sorry, only for my readers living in the United States.) 

Winners will be announced on Christmas Day.  Go to www.yahwehyoga.com  to pick your favorite, then comment to enter! 

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