A Worker/Writer is Worthy of his Pay

Getting paid for your writing effort isn't bad. It is expected that now or later you will get paid for your labors. 1 Timothy 5:18 KJV (For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer [is] worthy of his reward. ) A problem occurs when your misuse of a writing gift creates a negative or harmful result. For example, if you have a gift of writing and decide to write material that leads another to sin, isn't your writing creating a stumbling block for others? Romans 14:13 KJV (Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in [his] brother's way.)

You can write a story for the right reason, but deliver it in the wrong manner. As Nissa pointed out in her comment, a preachy, negative tone gets in the way of a story. What is your reason for writing the story? Is it a sincere attempt to aid others through your writing, or are you using the story as a soapbox to pound someone over the head until a desired belief is accepted? Fictional stories can contain a theme and a message. A story shouted too loudlyat the reader to persuade them of a certain view may prevent the reader from staying to hear either the theme or the message because they have already closed the book.

Are you Called to Writing?

During a recent discussion the question came up whether writers should view writing as a calling. If you are crafting words merely as a way to make lots of money, then your writing may not be a calling. That's not to say you won't ever make money as a writer, but what is your primary purpose in writing? If it is to become rich, then you may view writing as a way to support you and your family. If you write to share your faith or help others strengthen their faith, your writing focus has a spiritual focus .

In that case, if you are called to write and fail to write that for which you are called and gifted, are you not a little like Jonah? Jonah was called to take the word of God to Nineveh, but kept getting side-tracked. God had a plan for what he wanted Jonah to tell the Ninevites. Someone may need to read that story you keep putting off until a better time comes round. Your story may not make the New York Times bestseller list, but your story may make a difference in another person's life. What you wrote even make a difference in your own life.

You'll never find out until you place yourself before a keyboard and start typing.

The Catholic Writers Conference Online

http://www.catholicwritersconference.com/

March 21 - March 27, 2011

Workshops, Chats, and Pitches gathered on one website.