Ten Essential E's for Writers
by Charlotte Holt

"Will you speak at the writers' retreat?" my friend Janice wrote over the Instant Messenger ("IM").

I wasn't surprised by the request. The Lord dropped into my heart several days earlier that she would ask.

After some back and forth writing on IM, I knew this was God's direction. Not wanting to disobey, I selected the letter "E" from Legacy, her theme. Immediately, God started dropping E words into my mind.

Writing Essentials

Over the next few weeks, God showed me the following ten essential E's for writers.

(1) Enthusiasm—strong excitement of feeling, something inspiring zeal or fervor. (Webster)

A good writer shows enthusiasm in his/her writing. If he/she is bored, the reader will be also. I've often heard writers talk about their passion, which, according to Webster, is a synonym for enthusiasm. It is also a synonym for zeal. Zeal of what Christ has done for us should show in our work.

Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
(Titus 2:14, NKJV)

(2) Edification—an act or process of edifying. Edify—to build, establish, instruct, improve, especially in moral and religious knowledge. To uplift, enlighten, inform. (Webster)

We should not only speak to edify, but we should write for the same reason. We edify readers when we pen heart-stirring words that uplift, enlighten and inform.

Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
(Romans 14:19, KJV)

(3) Encouragement—to inspire with courage, spirit, or hope, to attempt to persuade, urge, stimulate, foster. (Webster)

We can encourage one another as well as others with our words. Many books are written solely for the purpose of encouraging others.

Therefore encourage each other with these words.
(1 Thessalonians 4:18, NIV)

(4) Example—one that serves as a pattern to be imitated or not to be imitated. (Webster)

For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps.
(1 Peter 2:21, KJV)

(5) Enjoyment—the action or state of enjoying, something that gives keen satisfaction. (Webster)

I think of enjoyment as having two functions in writing. We write for others to enjoy, and for our own enjoyment. People read our stories because they enjoy them. More so, our words have the power to make people's hearts merry.

A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
(Proverbs 17:22 KJV)

(6) Entertainment—amusement or diversion provided especially by performers, something diverting or engaging: as a public performance, a usually light comic or adventure novel. (Webster)

Author T. Davis Bunn says one of our main purposes in writing fiction is to entertain. That's why people read books, especially fiction books. Down through the ages man has pursued entertainment. Kings even gave up parts of their kingdoms, or granted other requests, to be amused. That's how John the Baptist lost his head. (Mark 6) Laughter is a by-product of amusement, and can help others see God's goodness.

Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them.
(Psalm 126:2 KJV)

(7) Endurance—the ability to withstand hardship or adversity; especially the ability to sustain a prolonged stressful effort or activity, the act or an instance of enduring or suffering. (Webster)

In some ways writing can be a hardship. We spend time writing, rewriting, rewriting, and rewriting. Our families often suffer as well. We endure rejection. We learn to wait patiently to hear from publishers and editors—even agents. We keep on going when these hardships discourage us. Indeed, if we chose to be a writer, we must endure the process. We keep on running the race. We keep on fighting the good fight.

Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything.
(James 1:2-4, NLT)

(8) Evaluation—to determine or fix the value of, to determine the significance, worth, or condition of usually by careful appraisal and study (Webster)

We need to evaluate our work and see if it's worthy of His calling. If not, we need to work on our craft. We also need to have others evaluate our work—critique groups, friends, even our mates.

God has given gifts to each of you from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Manage them well so that God's generosity can flow through you. Are you called to be a speaker? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Are you called to help others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then God will be given glory in everything through Jesus Christ. All glory and power belong to him forever and ever. Amen.
(1 Peter 4:10-11, NLT)

(9) Endued—Provided, transfused (Webster)

The disciples were told that they would be "endued with power from on high" (Luke 24:49). This should be the first E we use. Without this power we are powerless. Without the anointing of the Holy Spirit our work is just wood, hay and stubble. But with it we can leave a legacy.

And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
(Luke 24:49 KJV)

(10) Expectancy—the act, action, or state of expecting, something expected. (Webster)

After all these other E's, we need to expect our work to be published. We need to expect a miracle. Just as we wait and expect this future glory, let's wait and expect our writing to be published.

Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will give us later. For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are.
(Romans, 8:18-19 NLT)

Writing Legacy

Writers, let us be endued with power from on high to run our race with endurance and fulfill our calling. Despite the hardships, rejections, lack of time or funds, or time spent waiting. We entered this race not for comfort or convenience, but to fulfill the high calling of God. We will fulfill that calling as we follow the writing essentials above. After all, these "E’s" comprise our legacy of writing.