“Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him.” — Malachi 3:16
Lesson
What You Will Learn
- Revise a full draft for the big picture and then for details
- Choose a title and strengthen your opening and closing lines
- Share your work in a way you choose (reading aloud is always optional)
- Plan your next steps as a Christian writer
Lesson Notes
Revision Is Re-Seeing
Revise in two stages. Big picture first: Does the story answer my focus question? Is the turning point clear? Does the after have enough weight? Are there scenes I can cut? Details second: showing, specific words, clichés, spelling, and names.
Read your draft aloud quietly to yourself. Your ear will catch what your eye misses. CWP 223 will teach editing and revision in depth.
Titles, Openings, and Last Lines
A good title hints at your story without explaining it, often by using an image or phrase from inside the piece.
Your opening line should drop the reader into a moment, not a summary of your whole life. Your last line should feel true and leave the reader with something to hold. Read both aloud. Change them until they sound like you.
Sharing Is Always Optional
Our final session is a celebration. Reading aloud is always optional. You may read a full page, read only your title and one sentence, ask the instructor or a classmate to read for you, or simply listen. Every choice is honored.
When others read, listen with respect. Offer encouragement only: one thing you will remember from their piece. Do not comment on anyone's past.
What Comes Next
Keep at least two copies of your finished piece in safe places. In CWP 222 you will write devotional pieces, in CWP 223 you will edit and revise, and in CWP 224 you will learn to take a manuscript all the way to a self-published book.
Before publishing anything, complete your ethics check and talk with an attorney, legal aid, or case manager about any legal questions. Your story was worth writing. Write the vision, and make it plain (Habakkuk 2:2).
Key Terms
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Revision | Re-seeing and improving a draft, starting with the big picture |
| Title | The name of a piece, often drawn from an image or phrase inside it |
| Opening line | The first sentence, which invites the reader in |
| Book of remembrance | Malachi 3:16's picture of God recording the words of those who fear Him |
In-Class Activities
Final Polish Checklist
Check your draft against this list: focus question answered; before, turning point, and after clear; at least three scenes with senses; showing in key moments; voice sounds like you; names and details changed; nothing about victims, co-defendants, staff, other residents, or a pending case; honest ending; title chosen; word count or page count noted.
Read-Aloud Celebration
Choose how you will share: read a passage (one to three minutes), read your title and one sentence, ask someone to read for you, or listen only. After each reader, listeners may offer one sentence of encouragement: I will remember…
Assignment: Final Project Submission
Submit your finished testimony or memoir piece and your reflection (see the Final Project section). Handwritten submissions are fully acceptable.
Graded with the Final Project Rubric.
Reflection Journal
Malachi 3:16 says God listens when His people speak of Him, and a book of remembrance is written. How does it feel to know God has heard your story? What has writing it changed in you?
Prayer focus: Thank God for every word you have written and for the story He is still writing, and ask Him to use your testimony in His time.
Weekly Reading & Devotions
Written for the Generation to Come
The psalmist wrote, This shall be written for the generation to come (Psalm 102:18). Your finished piece may be read by your children, your church, or only by you and God. Whoever reads it, it is a record that God was faithful. That is worth finishing.
Revision means re-seeing. Look at the big picture first: Does the story answer your focus question? Is the turning point clear? Does the after carry real weight? Then look at details: showing, specific words, clichés, spelling, and names. Read it aloud quietly. Your ear will catch what your eye misses.
Sharing is always optional. At the read-aloud celebration you may read a page, read only your title and one sentence, ask someone to read for you, or simply listen. Every choice is honored. When others read, offer only encouragement: I will remember... Do not comment on anyone's past.
Keep at least two copies of your finished piece in safe places. Before publishing anything, complete your ethics check and talk with an attorney, legal aid, or your case manager about legal questions. Eight weeks ago you began with a few stones of remembrance. Now you have a finished story. That is real growth.
Think About It
- What part of your finished piece are you most grateful for? ______________________
- How do you plan to share, or not share, your story? ______________________
- What will you keep writing after this course? ______________________
Daily Devotions for Week 8
Make It Plain
Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.— Habakkuk 2:2 (KJV)
Clear writing serves readers. Revision is how a vision becomes plain.
Reflect: What part of your story needs to be made plainer?
Pray: Lord, help me make my story plain.
Do: Revise your opening line until it drops the reader into a moment.
For the Generation to Come
This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the LORD.— Psalm 102:18 (KJV)
Writing reaches people we will never meet. Your story may lead someone to praise the Lord.
Reflect: Who do you hope will read your story someday?
Pray: Lord, use my story for the generation to come.
Do: Write a short dedication for your finished piece.
Made Again
And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.— Jeremiah 18:4 (KJV)
The potter did not throw the clay away; he reshaped it. Revision works the same way, and so does God's work in us.
Reflect: What part of your draft needs reshaping?
Pray: Lord, You are the potter. Shape me and my story.
Do: Cut or reshape one scene that does not answer your focus question.
Edify One Another
Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.— 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (KJV)
Listening well is a ministry. Your encouragement at the read-aloud may be what a classmate remembers most.
Reflect: What encouraging words could you offer a classmate?
Pray: Lord, make me an encourager.
Do: Prepare one sentence of encouragement to share at the celebration.
I Have Finished My Course
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:— 2 Timothy 4:7 (KJV)
You have finished this course and a piece of your story. Finishing is faithfulness.
Reflect: What did you learn about yourself by finishing?
Pray: Lord, thank You for carrying me to the end of this course.
Do: Write a note to yourself about how you have grown as a writer.
Module Quiz
- 1.
In revision, what should you check first?
- 2.
A strong opening line usually:
- 3.
During the read-aloud celebration, listeners should:
- 4.
Reading aloud at the celebration is required to complete the course.
- 5.
Name two things to do before publishing your memoir someday.