Keys to Becoming an Intentional Writer

It's January in the year 2018.
In short, our world is made up of internet zombies. (If you are reading this sometime in the future, you may understand this phrasing even better than I do right now.) Currently we have this huge thing called social media, and just up from that we have personal blogs and from there it just keeps getting more complex. The number of hours Americans spend looking at some sort of screen, (whether that's computer, tablet, phone, or tv, and whether that's for work, play, or hobby), is alarming. Some studies from up to two years ago show us wasting half of our day looking at a screen,  so I'm sure you can guess that those numbers are even worse now. And here's the biggest problem with it all.

Content. 

The readily available content open for ALL eyes to see is majorly - useless rubbish. (to put it nicely) Wrong information, biased information, complaining, gloating, bullying, taking advantage of, etc...

The Bible tells us to edify and uplift.

Eph. 4:29 "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." 

Phil. 4:8 " Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."

If you ever blog, use a social media platform (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, etc...), or write for unknown audiences in any way, this is for you.

Keys to Becoming an Intentional Writer 

1) Write for People not Popularity
     Write for the good of people, write on subjects that matter to you and are meaningful to others. So much of our news feeds are filled with useless facts, bad jokes, and dumb things people have done. Choose a topic that will do one of the following things:
    * Encourage
    * Educate
    * Entertain
    * Enrich

2) Write for a Specific Person
    - You can't write for everyone - General interest is broad enough to make any writer have writer's block and write poorly. 
    - You can't write for your family - "I was taught this way and I have to make sure this is what my parents see me writing."
   - You can't write for your critic - that will put you into defensive writing, opposed to compassionate writing. (note: you may be your worst critic)

3) Create your reader
    Sit down with a piece of paper and create your ideal reader. (Gender, age, name, life story, spouse, children, degree, loves, and guilty pleasures.

Here is my created reader (she should resonate with you - my real reader- in at least a few ways)

• Name: Joy Elizabeth, age 29. 
• She is a SAHM (after quitting her job as a preschool teacher) to 3 children, with a degree in early childhood development.
• She is a Chewy momma (not radical crunchy momma - all things natural!) 
• Loves God
• Serves in the church nursery, women's ministry, music, and teen ministry 
• Fairly consist devotions, journals occasionally, speaks at Bible study/women's group
• Loves nature, gardening, flowers
• Well taken care of home and yard
• Likes the topics of organization/minimalism 
• Loves travel, learning hands on history and learning about people's lives
• Loves going out with girlfriends to coffee shop
• Wise with her finances (saving before buying, generous, careful) 
• Loves the quiet. nature. alone time to think. dreamer. goal setter. 
• She struggles with what others think of her, with using her time wisely, being too busy. 

I wrote out this index card pictured above with my readers name and the four E's on it. Each time I write a blog post, or a facebook status or even comment on another person's post, e-mail someone, or send out a message through messenger, I see this card and it helps me pause and think - am I speaking   kindly? Am I edifying and uplifting? Am I helping anyone today by encouraging them, educating them, helping them laugh, or enriching their day in any way?

How will you encourage your Joy Elizabeth today?

Sarah 
I wrote down all of these thoughts and tips after listening to a webinar by hopewriters.com. I know very little about the actual program but have benefited greatly from the advice of the webinar.