A couple of weeks ago I mentioned I’m trying to learn how to make latte art. I’ve got the moves down…kinda. Hey, I’m a racquetball player—was, in fact, one of the top players in college—so I can do wrist action like a pro. But guess what I discovered? Having the moves doesn’t do you any good without the perfect foam. That’s the core of the beauty and creativity in latte art.
But foaming milk, my friends, isn’t just for creating those beautiful bits of art. According to The Milk Frothing Guide, the perfect foam “enhances and elevates the sensory experience of coffee, and espresso in particular.” Those beautiful bits of latte art aren’t the goal. Rather, the goal is to enhance and elevate.
I love that.
And it got me thinking.
Having all the right moves as a writer—having the right look, knowing how to market or work social media, being at all the right places, and reading all the right books–without the perfect core, our works won’t accomplish the true goal: to enhance and elevate the hearts and minds of our readers.
This may seem like a no-brainer, but too often I hear writers say to me, “Just tell me what’s selling, and I’ll write it.” Rather than take that route, I encourage writers to share their passion. To stay true to what God is telling them to write. And to do that, you have to know your core.
And here’s the fascinating thing: my core is likely different from yours. What one thing sparks everything else? I’m going to trust that, for all of us, the heart of our writing is serving God. But what is it about your work, about your words on the page, that is at the core of who you are as a writer?
For me, it’s authenticity. Though I write fiction, I never want to craft a story that doesn’t resonate with both the beauty and the struggle of real life. So let me ask you: what is the core of your writing? And how are you ensuring you honor that core in what you write?
Peace, friends!
One last note: in my research to create the perfect foam, I found an utterly delightful—and often hysterical—website, which I mentioned above: The Milk Frothing Guide. I’m pretty sure this author’s core is “Make ‘em laugh!” So if you’re in the mood for a fun read—LOVE the bit about milking a buffalo!—or if you’d just like to see how writing humor is done well, check out the pages at http://coffeegeek.com/guides/frothingguide.
