I’m at the Florida Christian Writers Conference this weekend, where Tosca Lee is our keynote speaker. Here is the barest sample of her brilliance, based on my sketchy notes. This is my paraphrase, not verbatim. Her sessions were recorded; when those become available, I’ll let you know.
Keynote One
Creativity is a divine expression. It’s meant to be audacious.
Be bold and write a lot.
Every single time she starts a new book, she thinks “I’ll forget how I did it,” i.e., writing a best seller.
God is in the space between our gazes.
A lesson she learned from being in pageants: Be aware that you are being judged, but don’t be concerned that you are being judged.
Readers are continually asking “Do you see me? Tell me I’m not alone.”
God is an audacious storyteller (just look at Scripture).
You were an idea in God’s mind before the beginning of time. He knew your story. Part of the story is you telling yours.
Tosca Lee at Florida Christian Writers Conference. Photo by Kristen Stieffel.
Keynote Two
You don’t have 100 percent control over your story. Characters will do what they will do. And the reader is a co-creator with you.
Allow room for mystery in your writing—this mirrors our spiritual lives.
No piece of writing is ever fully finished. It’s never perfect. It’s the best you can do right now. That’s enough.
Finish you draft. Editing while you write will constipate you as a writer.
Note: Tosca is scheduled to give five talks. I’ll update later with notes from the others.
You rock! Thank you for thinking of us and sharing the wealth.