Surprise! I’m trying something new. Which might go without saying as I don’t usually post on Fridays.
Over on Twitter, I’ve noticed the hashtag #fmfparty and finally got curious enough (you know, because of all the fabulous writers participating) that I went and checked it out.
Five Minute Friday is a weekly writing challenge/community hosted by Kate Motaung where you write for five minutes on a one-word prompt. You can learn about the details here. You can find the link up for this week here.
This week’s prompt is: surprise.
As I toyed the idea of writing my post, I grabbed my notebook and a pen. I went for it, but because I was writing it out, it’s probably shorter than it could’ve been. The dash is where time ended… mid-thought, of course!
I was surprised when people started to react to my writing.
Up until recently, for the most part, I wrote for myself. I shared it with a few chosen friends, family, and critique partners.
Still, I am by no means famous or successful (monetarily speaking) as a writer. Writing is something I do alone at my computer in the company of two sleeping dogs. I email out contest entries and submissions, I have the occasional short story published. I post to my blog.
And I never see someone click a link, open a document, or pick up an anthology.
Maybe that’s why it floors me when someone says something I wrote spoke to them.
Oh. You’re carrying around a part of my heart in your own.
__
We don’t know each other. But we do. We so do.
This helps give new focus to my writing. I feel a little less like I’m writing for the wall behind my computer and a little more like I’m writing something I get to share with a wonderful community.
But you know, writing has surprised me in another way recently, too. As I look back on the words my own hands have typed, those words surprise me. And because of that, I’m forced to admit this writing thing is bigger than me and powered by Someone other than me. Better than me.
Given that I can do nothing without Christ and everything with Him, that part–the God part–of writing isn’t really a surprise, now, is it?
This post is linked up with Five Minute Friday on Kate Motaung’s blog.
COming to you from FMF. I'm #53
I'm right there with you. Never considered myself a writer, but God has been giving me so many things to write. It's surprising!
Just had a thought … God gave me a verse a while back about sharing with others. I wondered if I could defend my faith when the time comes. I had only applied to actually responding those who don't believe, but it seems it is applicable here as well …
Luke 21:15
15 for when the time comes, I will give you the words to say—wise words—which none of your adversaries will be able to answer or argue against.
Emily, so fun to see you here. Welcome to FMF. It truly is an amazing community. I love all the writers who share their heart there. So much THIS: "But you know, writing has surprised me in another way recently, too. As I look back on the words my own hands have typed, those words surprise me. And because of that, I'm forced to admit this writing thing is bigger than me and powered by Someone other than me. Better than me." Visiting from FMF where I'm in the #43 spot.
Wow, great verse! Thank you for sharing that and for stopping by!
Hi Emily, so fun to see you here. I'm coming back to FMF after a long break, so I feel awkward welcoming you, but I echo the sentiments in the previous comments that it is a wonderful community of writers. Thoroughly enjoyed your post and looking forward to more.
Thanks so much for dropping by! I checked out yours, too. What an encouraging and welcoming group 🙂
Thanks, Heidi! I'm looking forward to your posts!
Hey, Emily! I follow you on Twitter (and I think you're a part of Compel, too?), and have followed a few posts of yours. You inspired me to jump into FMF for the first time ever, even though I've known about it for years! Thank you! Glad to have another newbie! lol
Yay! So glad you decided to take the FMF plunge, too! Honored that you followed some of my posts. I'm not part of Compel, but I've thought about it as I've seen the poetic and thoughtful posts their writers create. For now, I'm enjoying the Compel freebies I got from subscribing to their mailing list. Okay. Off to find your FMF post now 🙂
I'm so glad you joined us! It's contagious. My favorite lines: "Oh. You're carrying around a part of my heart in your own.
__
We don't know each other. But we do. We so do."
Amen.
Yes! So glad I saw enough of you post about it that I finally took the plunge! It's a great community 🙂