Christian Living

Writing Challenge Persistence and Benefits

by Michael Edwards 
04/10/13
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Writing Challenge Persistence and Benefits
by Lynn Gipson

I joined Faithwriters in February of 2012 as a silver member, became a platinum member in April and entered my first Challenge contest. Since then I have not missed a single topic. I only started writing a year ago, and hardly knew a comma from a semicolon. I had all the words in me, I just didn't know how to write them.

My very first entry was the topic of “Holiday” and placed 10^th in the beginners level with a little poem called Holy Day. I was thrilled, and I was hooked. I slowly but surely worked my way up from there until August when I hit a blue ribbon with Cajun's Money, my all time favorite story.

I moved in to level two and hit another blue ribbon in September with Mama Mia, and another in November with This Old Computer.

That's when I moved to level three and that's where I am for now. I have had a third place ribbon and a couple of highly commendable placings since. I have never had so much fun in my life. Win, lose, or draw, it has been one of the best things I have ever done for myself.

It amazes me how much my writing has improved in just over a year's time. I had forgotten every thing I ever learned in English class about punctuation, and I am from the south, so proper was even a little tricky. I still have a long way to go, but thanks to the Challenge, I have had two short stories actually published!

Did I mention I am now 62 years old? I just had this overwhelming urge in me to write, and one day I stumbled across Faithwriters through Google, and voila! Here I am, and I am totally bonkers on this Challenge thing.

As an added bonus, I have received encouragement, constructive criticism, and a whole new family through other members at Faithwriters. I have made friends in Australia, Africa, and England, as well as throughout the United States. That has been very exciting for me. We compete in the Challenge but we also cheer each other on, and are truly happy when another wins. There is genuine Christian love here.

I don't know what I ever did before coming to Faithwriters. It has literally given me a life changing boost, and entering the Challenge has become one of the highlights of my week. I can't wait for Thursday mornings to check out the winners and highest rankings. When I don't see my name on the list, I am even more determined to do better next week. On those times when I have been a winner, my heart goes, YES!

Lynn Gipson

Faithwriters Platinum Member