Ambiguity – embrace and build on it

I have agreed to take on the first topic, “Fearing Ambiguity,” in our series inspired by Copyblogger (see yesterday’s post). Wow! This is the most ambiguous of them all – I must be a glutton for punishment. (anxious grin)

Have you ever had an idea that was so way out there that you found it hard to wrap your arms (or maybe your fingers and computer keys) around it? …so big that it intimidated you? The fact that an idea is a bit ambiguous, even to you, may be just the spark that makes it truly unique.

Pray for God’s Spirit to lead you, then go after the idea with abandon. Jot your thoughts in random bubbles to connect later if you have to. Or scribble them down on sticky notes to rearrange and/or discard as appropriate. Brainstorm around your idea and write down the bits and pieces, however sloppy it may appear at first, as fast as more ideas come to you. The act of starting to write may be all it takes to get the ball rolling and to bring on even bigger and better ideas.

Meanwhile, bathe your jumble of ideas and thoughts in prayer asking God to clear the ambiguity and confusion that might still linger. Ask him to help you discern the merits of the ideas and the direction He might lead you with them.

Your idea may not yet have come full circle. Even so, you will have commited to writing what you have at this point so the idea won’t be lost and forgotten. Ask God to give you greater clarity in his time. When you eventually work your way through it and put on the finishing touches, you may very well scratch your head and say “Wow, this is good! Did I really write this?”

Photo credit: © Yanc | Stock Free Images & Dreamstime Stock Photos

1. Carol Baldwin says:

   October 10, 2012 at 8:54 am

   I think lots and lots of writing starts out a jumbled mess of ideas. It takes time, perseverance, and patience to unsort them and see if there is a story or article inside! Thanks for tackling this subject.

   Reply
   • Janice D. Green says:

     October 10, 2012 at 11:00 am

     Absolutely. Another talent is knowing when it has finished morphing and is ready to send out to an editor, but I think that may overlap into one of the upcoming posts.

     Reply
2. Kathy Rupff says:

   October 10, 2012 at 8:13 am

   Hi Janice, I really like your suggestions and ideas… THANK YOU very much!

   Reply
   • Janice D. Green says:

     October 10, 2012 at 10:58 am

     Thanks, Kathy. I’m glad I was pushed to think this through for the blog. Sometimes we need a push to think outside the box.

     Reply