Aspire to Inspire, by Fiona Lloyd


This time last week, I was taking part in the annual ACW committee retreat. It’s a great opportunity to talk and pray through the business of ACW, but also to get to know one another a little better. (It’s also a good excuse to jeopardise my diet by eating far too much sticky toffee pudding…but that’s another story.)

Well worth joining the committee for...

One of the getting to know you games we played involved writing down the name of someone who has inspired us. The leader added a couple of wild cards for good measure and then we had to build teams by taking it in turn to guess which of us had picked each name. Some of these were easier to work out than others: anyone old enough to remember who David Kossoff is could have quickly made the link between him and our very own Amy Robinson. Others were harder – we’ve all heard of Agatha Christie, Barack Obama and Elijah, but who would cite them as their inspiration?

No doubt we all have those who have inspired us in our Christian lives: biblical characters, modern day speakers, as well as lesser-known individuals who have made a difference to us personally. And when it comes to our writing, we’re often influenced and helped by other writers…which is why some of the best advice offered to aspiring writers is to read, read, and read some more!

Plenty of inspiration here!
Sometimes, however, we can be so preoccupied with looking to those who have gone before us, that we forget to look behind. We all have something to offer to others, whatever point we’ve reached on our personal writing journey. After all, Jesus used the five loaves and two fish not because it was a huge amount, but because a small boy was willing to offer them.

One of the great strengths (I believe) of ACW is the way members encourage and support one another. So, I’d like to issue a challenge: think about those who have inspired you – and why – and then consider what you can do to inspire and help others. And I’d love you to offer suggestions in the comments below, if you feel able.

Fiona Lloyd works part-time as a music teacher, and serves on the worship leading team at her local church. Fiona self-published a violin tutor book in 2013 and blogs at www.fjlloyd.wordpress.com. You can find her on Twitter at @FionaJLloyd. Fiona is vice-chair of ACW and is married with three grown-up children.

Comments

  1. I'm inspired every time I read great literature (Oh wow - I want to entertain people like this with MY writing) but also every time I read not-so-good literature (Oh wow - if THIS can get published, why am I not trying harder?!) I'm also inspired by funny female writers - Dorothy Parker, Jane Austen, Sandi Toksvig, and their like.

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    1. I must admit, sometimes I feel intimidated by great literature, in that I wonder if I'll ever get that far! I like Sandi Toksvig as a presenter, so maybe I'll give some of her writing a try. Thanks, Fran.

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  2. I am inspired by so many writers it would be difficult to name just one. If I were to choose one Christian writer it would have to be our own Adrian Plass. He is a prolific writer and yet still manages to remain fresh and funny.

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    1. Adrian's amazing, isn't he? Although he did nearly cause a divorce in our house when my husband read the first Sacred Diary before me and insisted on telling me all the jokes before I had chance to read the book...

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    2. I think you would have strong grounds for divorce

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  3. Great post. Lots of inspiration from other writers. I agree with Fran, Jane Austen is a favourite, also L.M Montgomery with the Anne stories and how a writer develops and so many more...

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    1. Thanks, Sheila. I read the Anne stories as a child, but I think I could do with re-reading them.

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    1. One of my favourites - along with Tolkien. I'd love to have the sort of brain that could imagine a whole new world - and then write it down in such a way that the reader can believe in it, too.

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  5. Great post Fiona ☺️ I have inspirational authors - Rachel Joyce, Daphne du Maurier, Jane Austen - and comfort authors - Rosamunde Pilcher, Maeve Bunch etc. I need both. Would love to give a bit of inspiration or comfort one day through my own writing

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  6. Thanks, Deborah - I've read a couple of things by Rachel Joyce recently and really enjoyed them, so I'd like to try some more of her stuff. And I find your blog very inspiring!

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