Pentecostal Writer's Institute 2008

Pentecostal Writer's Institute 2008: Building Bridges With Words

March 24, 2008
By Robin Brantley

The 2008 version of the Pentecostal Writer’s Institute was encouraging, inspirational, and uplifting. Held March 12-14, 2008, in St. Louis, Missouri at the UPCI Headquarters, the theme was Building Bridges with Words. The three guest speakers were Pastor Ken Gurley and Dayle Allen Shockley from Houston, Texas, and Ann Gustafson Frake of Oakwood, Ohio. The three days were divided into one, two, and three hour classes with general sessions for the guest speakers.

Featured Speakers, Featured Classes
“Build a Bridge and Get Over It!” was a catchy theme elaborated by Dayle Shockley to encourage writers to continue in their ministry. She told the story of her first win in a writer’s contest, and afterwards how she was rejected with manuscript after manuscript. But she did not allow discouragement to keep her from crossing into her ministry. She shook herself and continued to practice writing, and eventually the approvals came. Shockley encouraged us to not take rejection as personal, but maybe go in a different direction with our writing and use rejection as a springboard instead of a stumbling block.

In one of her classes, “Six Building Blocks of Descriptive Writing,” Shockley demonstrated the writer’s craft through descriptive writing and the importance of connecting to your readers through the five senses. A hands-on exercise done in this class consisted of writing descriptive sentences for different objects, such as a picture, a pink ribbon, a black bow tie, a small coral shell, and a tin can. The conclusion of this exercise was for a story to emerge through the descriptive detail of each object and appeal to sight and emotion. Though this workshop was tailored toward beginning writers, it was a good refresher course for those who have more experience.

Frake has a colorful approach to writing and speaking which was evident in her teaching. Her love for writing showed through as she taught the classes, “Building a Suspension Bridge with Paper Clips,” and “Building a Pontoon Bridge or Drown (Writing for Teens and Youth).” The goal of these workshops was to appeal to the youth of today with a gospel message that can touch their hearts, but not hit them over the head with it. The class featured several exercises in which we attempted to put together a story with 21 index cards and one word on each. We then wrote a beginning, middle, and ending sentence for the story. This was a different approach to writing and an effective one, because with each word written, a story began to emerge. These two classes were great for those wanting to write for young people and bring the word of God into their stories.

As well as being an accomplished writer, Gurley is an excellent speaker. His teachings and encouragement ministered to us in General Session and his classes. In “Biblically Empowered Writing,”Gurley told of the importance of biblical concepts in our writing and the different twists we can take to bring the message across to the world.

True Focus, True God
PWI General Sessions had everyone gathering in the sanctuary for different topics related to writing. In one session, “Ask the Editor,” Apostolic magazine editors were asked their positions, their pet peeves, common mistakes in writing, and tips for writers. This session was beneficial for all writers because when the time comes to submit your work, knowing the house rules and different mistakes to avoid can save a lot of heartache. Networking with the editors and other writers was also a priceless experience.

Though the classes taught writers correct grammar, sentence structure, how to connect with your audience, and broader horizons, the main focus of the Pentecostal Writer’s Institute is to spread the gospel to a dying world through the written word. Our relationship with God determines how we write, and who we are in Him, will show through in each sentence.

At the end of one service, all the writers raised their pens (symbolizing their talent, be it on a keyboard or longhand) and dedicate their writing to the ministry of God. The move of God resonated throughout the auditorium as we lifted our voice and gave our writing and lives to the outpouring of the Holy Ghost. This is indeed the important goal of a writer—to have a mission for God and build bridges to salvation.

ninetyandnine.com

---------
Robin Brantley resides in Birmingham, AL, with her sister, Rachel, and their cat Chibi. She has a BS in History with a minor in Anthropology, and currently attends Samford University pursuing a Paralegal Degree. During a storm, look towards God because your cat will leave you without hesitation.