Standing Out by Jane Clamp
I fear I am being misunderstood on the horticultural
front. I blog for a county-wide church news bulletin and my latest one (read here) was introduced by the editor as me taking a break from gardening to share
some thoughts. He clearly doesn’t know me well at all – as several of my friends subsequently
pointed out! My garden exists by the grace of God alone but, however
non-green-fingered I am, I frequently take inspiration from plants and how they grow.
So I’m pleased to be taking another break from gardening to write today…
The flower in the photo is a rhododendron, one of many in
the stunning National Trust gardens of Sheringham Park in Norfolk. When Mr C and I visited a couple of weeks ago, the place was in full bloom, an amazing
spectacle. Why did I take a photo of this blossom and not any others? Well, if
you look carefully, you will see that one petal in each flower cluster is
different to the others. Every flower had this feature: one stand-out petal.
As writers, we know we are surrounded by acres of books. Libraries, book shops, our personal spaces (or what used to be
spaces): they’re all filled with books. I’m sure I’m not alone when I wonder
how my work can possible compete with or complement all these masterpieces. How
on earth will mine stand out?
To try to achieve it, we work on coming up with a
ground-breaking plot, played out by the most interesting and intriguing set of
characters. We strive to make the past come alive, to ignite our readers’
imaginations over fact or fiction. We spend hours and hours perfecting our
craft, honing our skill and, along the way, developing sublime procrastination
tactics; but our fear – and not an unrealistic one – is that our manuscript
will end up in a bottom drawer or a slush pile somewhere, unread, unnoticed.
Perhaps a different perspective is needed before we all
give up! Working on our craft is undeniably vital but, deeper than that, is the
fact our writing comes from who we are and what we are becoming. With the
finger of God touching our hearts and our efforts, we can create and reflect
truest beauty. You see, that one petal isn’t trying to be different to the
others. It’s in its DNA that it is
different.
As we write today (because you will find a spare ten
minutes for something so important, won’t you?!) lift your gaze higher. Turn
the spotlight away from yourself and let it become all about Him. Be the writer
He created you to be: and you’ll stand out for all the right reasons.
A good word of encouragement, we are all unique!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Angie. I'm so glad we're unique - I don't think the world could cope with another me!
DeleteLove this encouragement! Thanks Jane!
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear it, thanks, Lucy. For the record, I'm enjoying your writing, too!
DeleteThank you so much for writing this Jane. It is very timely. I am about to start writing my third book and I’m feeling a little unsure. This is a great reminder that I need to start and continue throughout by looking to Father God in heaven for his inspiration. I believe this book is from him and I will refer to him first and foremost throughout the time I write it. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI'm very glad that you're writing again, Lynda! I'm convinced more and more that we are his mouthpieces to this poorly world of ours. Whatever we write comes from hearts yielded to him and all for his glory.
DeleteEnjoy your book - and I'm sure we all will when we see it!
Thanks Jane, I'm working on this!
ReplyDeleteGreat to hear it, Eileen!
DeleteGreat post Jane. No need to worry about standing out for the wrong reasons then 😉 You are always so encouraging 😘
ReplyDeleteThanks, Deborah 😘
Delete