A Good Fit

With the plethora of writing how-to information available, have you ever found yourself emulating a person or style which isn’t a good fit for you? Sort of like a toddler walking around in his father’s shoes. Or a warrior wearing someone else’s armor.

As I considered this, I realized I am guilty of trying to fit someone else’s writing style at times. Someone suggests adding ing words, and I go overboard. Another person suggests never using was, and I write awkward sentences trying not to write said forbidden word.

Someone else says all YA should be in third person. While another person says first.

We’re told not to start a sentence with but, and I wonder why not?

Someone says fiction is the way to go in the Christian market nowadays. Another says only non-fiction will do.

Jumping on the current fad train can be equally treacherous. Especially at the slow rate of speed with which I write.

All of this chasing after the wind, as King Solomon might call it, can lead to more than a bit of confusion as we try to find a good fit for our writing style.

Stay True to What Fits You

While I strive to educate myself on the craft of writing and stay current with the seemingly endless changes, if I want my writing to be a good fit for me, one thing I’ve discovered is that I need to stay true to who I am as a writer.

Sure. I need to study others’ work to see how they handled certain writing elements. But that doesn’t mean I copycat their style. Unless it also happens to be my style. 

David's Good Fit

Thinking along this line, I remember a shepherd boy named David who went up against a giant named Goliath.

When King Saul offered David his armor, David tried it on. However, the armor was fit for the king. It wasn’t a good fit for David. The armor was uncomfortable and unwieldy. It was of no benefit to David. In fact, instead of benefiting David in his fight against the giant, the armor would hinder his efforts to defeat Goliath.

In time, David would use such armor and wield the sword with strength, but this was not that time. For now, the shepherd boy needed to use what was a good fit for him. Not what was a good fit for King Saul.

So, David stuck with what he felt comfortable using. His sling and stones. David stuck with what he was good at. He stuck with what brought him previous success.

Above all else, David stuck with the God who delivered him from the jaw of the lion and the paw of the bear.

God’s Armor is a Good Fit

Just as the armor God gave David was a good fit for his abilities and style, God gives each of us our own armor, our own abilities and style, that are a good fit for the writer God intends us to be.

If we put on the writing armor of someone else, it probably won't be a good fit. We may not be able to use it effectively. It may be too unwieldy. More than likely, we'll trip over our feet and fail miserably.

We do that sometimes, though, don't we?

We think someone else has a better sword, a better way of writing. When we try to wield it, we find it is too heavy. We get exhausted in the process, aren't very successful, and eventually want to give up.

Your Turn

Someone else writes fiction, so we give that a go. Only, God laid non-fiction on our heart. Someone else is successful writing women’s romance, and we try our hand at that. Yet, God keeps prompting us to write for teens. Someone else writes Bible studies. We admire them for it, but feel writing articles is where our heart lies.

Some of us are called to write fiction in all its many genres and sub-genres. Others are called to write non-fiction in all its varied facets and outlets. Some are called to pen words of encouragement through blog posts or notes. Then there are those called to write memoirs.

We are not called to write what everyone else writes. What say we put on the armor God gave us, all the while continuing to grow our skills and learn our craft?

Let’s take up the individual skills and abilities God put inside us to write for his glory, and stop trying to put on what belongs to someone else.

If we use the writing armor God gave us to write for God’s glory, whatever we write, will always be a good fit.

I wish you well.

Sandy

Here’s what you can expect from me. In my posts, you’ll find words of encouragement for writers, book reviews, and discussions on the craft of writing. I am a former elementary school teacher, regular contributor to Guideposts devotional books, and a conference speaker. I write articles, devotions, and stories for adult and children’s publications. You can find me every Tuesday and Thursday at www.sandykirbyquandt.com. Please stop by.