A writer needs two families
Contributor Gail Landgraf celebrates the people and places who helped her along the writing journey
by Gail Landgraf
The quest to become a successful, published writer can be a lonely experience. However, it doesn’t have to be.
As an inspirational/devotional writer, I’ve considered the author and scholar Dr. Hollisa Alewine to be a great mentor. She wisely points out that God gathers us, scatters us, then brings those of us with “like mind and like kind” together again. That aspect of a Christian’s life is taken straight from the days of the creation. The principal is known as one of the principles of hermeneutics in the theory of 1-2-1.
I’ve found this same principle to be a valuable key to finding your tribe as a writer.
After years of hiding behind a desk I finally decided to venture out and share my ambition for writing with others. Family and friends, though they recognized my talent, were never that encouraging. The only person who took me seriously was my Dad.
On his dying bed, he encouraged me to pursue my dreams of being a published writer.
In the hospital waiting room my Mom became acquainted with a woman who was a writer. The woman, named Vona Elkins, gave my Mom her business card to pass on to me after Mom explained that her daughter also wanted to be a published writer. Vona encouraged Mom to ask me to send her some samples of my writing, which I did. She then began to communicate with me through emails, stating that she liked what she had seen of my writing. Vona told me she wrote radio scripts for Christ For The World. She was presently working on some scripts for a radio program called “Five Minutes With God.”
Christ To The World had requested a whole series of scripts from Vona. She felt overwhelmed, so she asked if I wanted to partner with her in the writing. I was thrilled to do so.
For three years, Vona and Christ To The World editor Art Criscoe sent me writing subjects. I composed five minute radio scripted stories for their review. They critiqued, made suggestions, and encouraged me to work until the scripts suited them. When we finished, those scripts were translated into other languages and used for Christ To The World radio broadcasts.
Vona and Art taught me so much about script writing and editing. We completed 32 scripts together. I’m not sure how many were translated or used in the end, because the writing part of the production was all I ever saw. (The radio programs were all in foreign countries.) Vona and Art were involved with passing the writing on for consideration for production and broadcasting in other languages overseas. I pray that our scripts have touched souls for The Kingdom of God.
I say this to tell you how wonderful it is to work with people who are dedicated to quality Christian writing. Even better are those who are also teaching others the art of the written word. Vona Elkins and Art Criscoe were amazing teachers. They made a huge difference in my entry into a world where it is hard to find open doors.
Of course, Christ To The World is a not-for-profit mission based ministry. I was never paid for my work. Still, I think that experience might have been more valuable than any college degree. They set my feet on the right path, honed my skills, and steered me in the right direction to find my dreams.
At the point in life when I decided to publish my first book, I let go of the volunteer work for Christ To The World. I knew I would never pursue my own publications if I did not let go of that work. However, I found this hard because we had become good friends, even though all of our work was done on-line or over the phone. We talked of meeting in person, but it just never worked out. I still think fondly of the folks from Christ To The World. My heart is very grateful for their participation in my growth as a writer.
Next, I went on to establish a blogging community. I also began writing and publishing books. Once again, I was aware of needing other more experienced people to encourage me.
To help with my blogging efforts, I found Ruth Soukup’s Elite Blogging Academy. Ruth became my “fairy blog mother.” Her advice and encouragement were amazing. Through her help, I became involved with many other bloggers who could identify with where I was at the time. I’m so thankful for having found that community. I’ve now been blogging for over thirteen years. It is a nitch which I’ve enjoyed tremendously.
On the way to publishing my first book, I found a group of writers in a small group from Kingwood Church in Alabaster, Alabama. One member was a friend named Sarah Tackett. She was one of the first writers to encourage me to keep writing. When I joined this group they met once a month to share their writing and talk of their writing progress with one another.
We all took turns listening to each other read their latest work. The group would give review comments and make suggestions as to what the writer needed to change, do next, or improve. They also gave positive feedback when it was well deserved. It was great getting to know others who were pursuing the same dreams. This group was active until the pandemic struck. Sadly, those wonderful meetings never picked back up again.
One day my old friend from the Kingwood group of writers encouraged me to attend the Southern Christian Writers Conference. Finally, I made that move and I will never regret it.
The people at the Southern Christian Writers Conference were encouraging and uplifting. The information they shared was valuable to me as I strived to become a better writer. Cheryl Wray and her family were amazing with the friendly and professional way they handled the conference. They also provided so many great follow-up opportunities for those who attended the conference.
All of the other writers were interesting and friendly to talk to. Even the keynote speakers were down-to-earth, very approachable and encouraging. I made life-long friends that weekend of my first attendance.
One person in particular has been the best of friends and chief of encouragers. Sandi Herron and I have spent hours encouraging each other to continue writing. Just having someone willing to share both failures and progress has made a world of difference. Together, we have joined in with other groups and sold books at different functions. Just knowing Sandi and having her on my team has been a very uplifting experience. I’m constantly thanking God for her friendship and the way she has included me in her very busy life.
It was at the SCWC that I met Denise George and Rebecca George from Christian Writers For Life. After hearing Denise’s talks, I was encouraged to enter some of the contests offered by Christian Writers For Life. That opened a door for publication in some of their anthologies. Publication in my first anthology, Prayers That Move Mountains, also put me in touch with many other authors who have been encouraging and helpful to know.
Having a table at the Southern Christian Writers Conference helped me to sell some of my self-published books. All the tables are shared. So again, you get to know so many other writers just from being in that very busy and amazing room which is set up for selling books.
The writing conference gave me the confidence I needed to revisit some of the old places from my past which once seemed too intimidating. I was able to set up book signings at some of the local places where I grew up. They were all quite successful. Book signings became a very pleasant way to get to know my readers and share more of my work.
Writing is all about being part of a very give-and-take community. Sharing is definitely caring. Writers who want to stay the course have learned to appreciate the connections and encouragement that come from those of their own community.
Having such dependable and supportive people in your life is priceless. I’ve come to believe writers need two families, their native families, and the family that becomes a writing community for them. Proverbs 27:17 reminds us that “as iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11 says; "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”
PRAYER: Father, thank you for community members who encourage us to be all that we can be. Teach us to recognize how you help us through connections to others. Show us how to give the same gift of grace and love to others whom we meet. Thank you for the sweet fellowship of like minds whom we meet along the way.
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Gail Landgraf is a writer/blogger/poet who works for her own publishing company called Wordcastle Publications LLC in Birmingham, Alabama. She is a published inspirational author of six inspirational books and an avid blogger for The IN SEASON Lifestyle blog. Gail has produced the Christian/Hebraic-styled devotional books Christian Meditations for Elul and The Ten Days of Awe for Christians. Presently she is writing a devotional book called A Christian Counts The Omer. She also loves producing short stories and magazine articles. Her short story “God Always Keeps His Promises” was published in the anthology Prayers That Move Mountains. She will be published in another anthology called “God’s Glorious Impossibles” in August, 2025. Her short stories for her grandchildren appeared in a book titled Golden Tales for Rainy Days and she is working on turning a few of those stories into stand-alone children’s books. When she isn't writing, Gail is traveling with her husband or visiting with her four beloved grandchildren. Her hobbies are reading, hiking, horseback riding, crafting and working in her yard.