The Catholic Writers Guild

The doldrums of winter are with us. The hoopla of the holiday is past and thoughts about resolutions show up all around us.  The New Year tempts us with the challenge to “start fresh”. That’s not a bad thing but sometimes intent can lead us to self judgment when we don’t meet our own expectations.   Worry about expectations can create a negative experience where a positive one was possible.

In your role as a writer what have you done to take full advantage of a reboot for the New Year?  Whaaaaat, you say?  Yes, what have you and your writing done to start over?   Saint Bernard of Clairvaux (†1153, The Elegant Doctor) teaches: “In the way of God to stand still is to go backward.”   How long have you been standing still?  You know, writing with the same attitude, writing the same stuff, writing in a comfort zone that has not changed for a very long time?

If you’ve never thought about it, realize that what and how you write is rooted in your spiritual life.  This is true even if you do not write on spiritual topics.  The way you express your gift comes from the place where the gift was formed, deep within your spirit.   Your talent and the way it is expressed is a reflection of what is happening for you on all levels.  The way you mature and grow in your writing is a function of what’s going on in your spiritual life.

Pull out some pieces that you wrote a year or three ago.  Examine your own writer’s conscience.  Is your writing today different from those older pieces?  Have you grown in your ability to make a point? Have you moved on to topics that are more mature?  Are you less verbose and more focused?  Is your writing “crisper” in form and topic?  Has your awareness of language and how it impacts become keener?  Are you more thoughtful about how your words will be perceived when you are composing?

As you scrutinize your work you should be able to see change.  If you are doing the same ole, same ole in exactly the same style, then it’s time to rethink.  As our gift matures it should be perceivable.  You should notice changes like an expanded vocabulary, more concise use of words, and phrasing that invites the reader to think in a different way.

Growing in talent, skill and spirituality are mirrors of each other.  Each reflects and enhances the other.  That’s the way it’s supposed to be.  No one ever reaches perfect in that walk.  The growth is the exciting part of the journey.  Take advantage of the New Year to give yourself an inspiration to expand your talent and change.  That’s what resolutions are really for!