Writing, at times, can be a lonely endeavor. It’s like shouting in the midst of a cheering crowd. I have a message to convey; but, no one listens, or do they? I don’t know, and is important that I do know? Having the right motive is critical for anyone to find fulfillment in their craft or volition, whatever that may be. Writing is no different. John Berryman said, “I would recommend the cultivation of extreme indifference to both praise and blame because praise will lead you to vanity, and blame will lead you to self-pity, and both are bad for writers.”¹ While Mr. Berryman was talking specifically about poetry, the same may be said about writing, in general.

Charles Spurgeon, 19th century theologian and evangelist, was a prolific writer. He wrote over 140 books, penned thousands of letters, and published a monthly periodical, The Sword and the Trowel, not to mention over 60 volumes of sermons. In one lucidbookspublishing.com blog post, you’ll find a list of seven writing tips from Charles Spurgeon, based on Spurgeon’s writings.² These tips include:

1. Write to help others
2. Write short
3. Write for God
4. Write clearly
5. Write to compel
6. Write, write, write
7. Read to write

Over the next couple of months, I will consider each of these and how they can help us in our quest to write with a purpose. Please join me on this journey.

¹ John Berryman, “John Berryman, The Art of Poetry, No. 16,” interview by Peter A. Stitt, The Paris Review, Issue 53, Winter 1972. https://www.theparisreview.org/interviews/4052/john-berryman-the-art-of-poetry-no-16-john-berryman

²lucidbooks, “7 Writing Tips from Charles Spurgeon,” 2/22/2016. Retrieved from https://lucidbookspublishing.com/7-writing-tips-from-charles-spurgeon/?fbclid=IwAR3uUmjb2jOP8MyZ7AQEvU_MIYHI5QYC-lDrBTfVOZNvSGQUosJxqeLrZNg on 1/4/2020