Standard Bearer Academy

To entertain as many readers as possible To contemplate experience, not to be merged in it To write as quickly as possible without revision To imitate the style of famous authors

Macro-revision fixes spelling; micro-revision fixes plot Macro-revision addresses structure and meaning; micro-revision addresses sentences and word choice Macro-revision is done by editors; micro-revision is done by writers There is no meaningful difference between them

That first drafts are always good enough That only professional writers need to revise That we should work with all our hearts as working for the Lord — making revision an act of worship That revision is unnecessary if you pray before writing

Listing every accomplishment and award chronologically Using as many impressive vocabulary words as possible Focusing on one or two key experiences told with authenticity and specific detail Avoiding any mention of personal challenges or struggles

Fiction that is based on real events but changes key facts The art of telling true stories using literary techniques like vivid scenes, sensory detail, and narrative structure Academic essays written in a creative format Nonfiction writing that does not require factual accuracy

By ignoring the natural world to focus on theology By finding God's presence and theological meaning through close observation of the natural world By writing fiction disguised as nonfiction By arguing that nature is meaningless without human interpretation

There is no spiritual dimension to sharing creative work Burying your talent out of fear is a failure of stewardship that displeases God Only professional writers have an obligation to share their work God is pleased when we protect our gifts by keeping them hidden

By giving up writing entirely after the first rejection By concluding that God does not want them to write By practicing perseverance, learning from feedback, and trusting God's timing By self-publishing everything immediately to avoid rejection

That creativity is only for artists and not relevant to ordinary people That human creativity is a meaningless evolutionary byproduct That the creative impulse reflects God's own nature — we create because we are made in the image of a Creator That human creativity is superior to God's creative work

Natural talent that requires no effort or discipline Fame and publication success to stay motivated Faithful perseverance — maintaining the discipline of writing through every season of life Waiting for inspiration to strike before writing anything