Yesterday was a full day at Allume, and I was going, going, going from breakfast until late last night. I met so many wonderful people and heard many beautiful stories of life, love, rescue, and redemption. In the next few days, I plan to write about some of the sessions I attended and share some of the things I was privileged to hear, but this morning I’ll just say this.

I went to a session with an author I’ve loved for several years, Tim Willard. Tim is a beautiful writer and has a way with words that is captivating. He’s just returned from Oxford University where he was working on his PhD. HIs dissertation title is Beauty in the Writings of CS Lewis. He is a fellow Gordon-Conwell graduate of the Charlotte campus and graduated a year ahead of me. Our paths did not cross while in school, but we had many of the same professors and both have such a fondness for our time there. One of the things Tim talked about in his session was how much to write, what kind of words to use, and some of the details of using language. Tim’s advice to us was this:

Stop writing so much. And make what you do write really good.

I almost laughed out loud when he said this, given the irony of the fact that I’m participating in this 31-day writing challenge. Later as I had the chance to talk with Tim after the session, I told him about my 31-day thing and how I couldn’t wait to write less. Putting words on a page 31 days in a row is tough. Thanks for being patient with me as I finish our this challenge!

*photo credit OuadiO