Write from the Deep

06 How to Find your Catalyst in the Deep, part 2: Digging Deep to Find Your Catalyst

Do you know why you’re writing what you’re writing? What the true message is in your books? Could it be something more? Something deeper? In this 2nd installment of our 3-part series of podcasts we’re going to explore the catalyst deep inside you, the spark that brings your writing to life and infuses it with power. Today we’ll talk about more specifically about how to find your catalyst in the deep.

Show Notes

A catalyst takes a spark and fans it into flame. For writers, our catalyst is the core message buried deep inside us that’s behind everything we write. It’s the truth that only we can share.

Questions to help identify your catalyst:

Ask yourself these questions, and also find someone trustworthy who knows you, who can push you, and with whom you’re willing to be completely transparent, and have them ask you the questions as well.

1. Why did you write this book?

2. Why else? (Don’t stop at one reason)

3. What vulnerability are you sharing in your writing?

4. Why did God let you go through _______?

5. What did you learn when you went through ________?

6. Dig deeper—what was the most overwhelming feeling you had in through the process of your trial/experience?

7. How does what you learned or experienced come into play now? How does it affect you now?

8. How does that come into play in your relationship with God?

Throughout this process, other questions to ask yourself (or have others ask you) are:

* So what? (Use this question to drill down. Usually the first or second answer you give isn’t the real answer. Be willing to peel back the layers.)

* And…?

* Why…?

* Because…?

* And so you feel…?

Repeat these over and over to help you dig to the core of the issues you care about. Don’t let yourself off the hook with the easy answers!

After this whole process, write out what you think your catalyst is, and then test it with prayer and counsel.

You may find your catalyst is just what you anticipated it would be, or it may be a complete surprise.

We’d love to hear from you—What’s your catalyst?

You can find us on Stitcher now!

05 – How to Find Your Catalyst in the Deep, part 1: What is a Catalyst and Why Does it Matter?

Do you know why you’re writing what you’re writing? What the true message is in your books? Or do you just think you do? In this 3-part series we’re going to explore the catalyst deep inside you, the spark that brings your writing to life and infuses it with power. So come join us, and discover your true catalyst as a writer.

Show Notes

To start exploring what your catalyst is, ask yourself:

* What matters most to me?

* Who matters most to me?

* What is my deepest fear?

* What makes me angriest? Why? (And dig to the core of that answer. WHY does it anger you?)

* What brings me the deepest joy? Why?

And then ask yourself:

*  What do my answers say about me, my priorities, my faith? If the answers are troublesome, what can I do about that? If the answers are encouraging, what will keep me on track?

*  What speaks real, soul-deep peace into my fear?

*  What can I do about (1) the cause and (2) the anger?

 

If you want to read the book that Karen mentioned was a catalyst for her novel, Breaking Point, here’s the link to Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas

Talk to us…

Have a question or a comment? How can we pray for you?

04 – What to do When You’re Lost in the Wilderness

The wilderness seems dark and frightening, even dangerous…unless you’re trained for it. When you have the right training and tools to use, you can not only survive in the wilderness, but you can find wonder and beauty there. So get ready…your training starts now.

Scriptures for Reference

The wilderness:

* Deuteronomy 8:2 “Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands.”

* Deuteronomy 8:16 “In the wilderness He fed you manna which your fathers did not know, that He might humble you and that He might test you, to do good for you in the end.”

Searching your heart:

* Psalm 4:4 “In your anger do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent.”

* Ecclesiastes 5:2 “Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.”

Trusting God:

* Numbers 23:19 “God is not a man that He should lie, nor a son of man that He should change His mind. Does He speak and then not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?”

* Isaiah 46:4 “Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.”

Seeking God:

* Jeremiah 29:11-13 “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.'”

Waiting:

* Psalm 27:14 “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”

* Habakkuk 2:3 “This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed.”

Have a question? A comment? How can we pray for you?

03 – When God’s Pruning Hurts

Writer, producer, and voice actor Bill Myers, has worked in what he affectionately calls “Hollyweird” for years. He’s joining us in this podcast to share his experiences with God’s pruning shears—and the beauty that comes from letting the Master refine and shape us.

Scriptures:

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:1 (NIV)

Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you.

Philippians 4:4 (NIV)

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

John 15:1-2 (NIV)

I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.

If you want to read more about Bill’s experience, check out his book The Jesus Experience: Journey Deeper into the Heart of God.

Talk to us…

Have you been pruned? How did you cope with the shears?

Has it made a difference in the fruit of your life?

We’d love to hear from you!

02 – Lies We Believe

Lies are pervasive. They sneak in so that you usually don’t even know they’re being planted. They sink their roots deep, often times wrapping them round our fondest desires and goals–even those that are noble and God-breathed. The only way to keep them from taking over is to deal with them head on the minute they pop out of the ground. When you see just the tip poking up, know that it’s something that goes deep. But the good news is you don’t have to deal with them alone. This episode shows you how to take them to God and use the tools He’s given us.

Scriptures:

Zephaniah 3:17  (NIV)

The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.

James 4:7  (NASB)

Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

John 17:17  (NLT)

Make them holy by Your truth; teach them Your word, which is truth.

Philippians 4:8  (NIV)

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Psalm 51:6 (NASB)

Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being, and in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom.

1 John 3:8b (NASB)

The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil.

Talk to us…

Have a question? A comment? We want to hear from you.

Are you battling a lie? Let us pray for you. You are not alone.

01 – Embrace the Deep

If you’re a writer, you’ve undoubtedly faced the deep places in your life and work. If you haven’t, get ready! Your time in the deep WILL come. But here’s the exciting part: we don’t need to fear the deep! Instead, we can learn to embrace it, to rest in God in the midst of it, and to let it refine us in our faith and craft. So come join us…in the deep!

Talk to us…

What does the deep mean to you?

What helps you in the deep?

Have a question? A comment? We’d love to hear from you!