What I Really Learned from Writing by Kimberly Wright

Since early childhood I have loved the written word. At five years old, I would follow along in my book of The Ugly Duckling while listening to the 45 rpm record reading the words to me. My favorite part was the musical chime indicating time to turn the page. It was only a couple of short years later I began faithfully writing in my small diary with the fake lock.

 

This love affair has only deepened through the decades. Over the years, I have filled many journals, began writing many books and articles without finishing and dreamed of one day being a real writer.

 

I have learned a lot, and continue to learn, about the art of sentence structure, strong openings and writing “tight.” I still feel like I will always need more editing than any three people combined. It is a journey. Having penned two books now, I feel like someday I may actually be a real writer.

 

But with all that I have learned, I feel the most powerful lesson I have discovered from this journey is about risk.

 

When an author writes, it is with the desire to connect to others. It is the desire to make a difference, to speak to the reader’s heart and emotions. If our goal, in any field of choice, is to truly make an impact then we are going to have to take risks. The risk of being vulnerable, honest. The risk of being rejected or criticized. Even the risk of looking foolish or being embarrassed.

 

When we take the risk of being vulnerable with others, we are allowing others the opportunity to connect with us. We are daring to give people something they can relate to. As with any risk, there is the possibility of reward.

 

My reward is to see God receive the credit He deserves for the blessings He gives us. My reward is feedback from readers who say their relationship with God has deepened as a result of an encouraging word or personal experience they read in my book. My reward is to hear a reader share similar struggles and we connect over the goodness of God’s mercy and grace.

 

 

There is always a risk when we open ourselves up to possible criticism. But I have found being authentic and transparent in my writing, as hard as it is to do sometimes, has brought many rewards.

 

 

Check out Kimberly's book, Believing Out Loud on Amazon.

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About the Author

 

Kimberly Wright is the author of Believing Out Loud: Trading Fear and Defeat for an Adventure with God and Bedtime Thoughts for the Christian Mom. She holds a BA in psychology from the University of Oklahoma and was named the 2009 National Young Mother of the Year. She travels across the US speaking at women’s church retreats and conferences. Kimberly and her husband, John, have four children and live outside Kansas City, KS. You can follow Kimberly’s blog or connect with her for a speaking request at http://www.believingoutloud.com.

 

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