Photo Credit: Patrick H. Lauke/Creative Commons
It’s no secret. Writers are an interesting bunch. We study folks. We rarely keep regular hours. We craft, plot, and create in the oddest places.
To non-writers, what we do may look like child’s play. Sometimes, we may hear insensitive comments or careless criticisms.
Only we–the creators of our art–know the truth. We understand that writing is hard work. It demands sacrifice, diligence, and the willingness to bend, but not break. While we love the craft, sometimes, we don’t love what it takes to pursue it. That’s just the nature of the beast.
If we’ve traveled the publishing path for very long, we know only too well the thick skin, sharp wit, and sensible outlook it takes to pursue our goals, day after grueling day.
It can be and often is a difficult journey. I’ve never heard anyone say that writing is a piece of cake. Even the uninformed seem to realize that it takes a certain amount of stamina to put words to paper (or thoughts to keyboard) and craft them into “keeper material.”
Along the way, many of us will have great cheerleaders–our family and other writer-friends. From those folks we’ll draw our strength.
Sometimes, too, we’ll meet with opposing forces–those detractors who “just don’t get it.” It may be necessary to distance ourselves from negative, hardheaded people during our writing journey. Temperamental attitudes and Nancy No-No’s only reflect self-absorption and a small mindset. It’s best to limit those, I believe.
The best part of our journey isn’t the acclaim or success (although those are nice indeed!), but rather, it’s the savoring of the journey along the way.
To move forward on life’s rollercoaster, we sometimes have to take a seat and hang on by our fingers and toes to experience the wild, wonderful ride.
Without the stops and starts–the milestones–we can’t relish the triumph!
Things aren’t always going to turn out like we plan. (Heaven knows, I bet writers everywhere could write their own book on that one.) But one thing is a given. While other careers might not require as much, writing is a profession that begs us to press on.
It demands it.
God’s equipped us for this ministry and we can trust that we have what it takes.
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Wendy Lawton shared some super insight this week about the world of publishing.
I’d encourage you to pop over and read more!
What have you learned during your writing journey?
What’s the most rewarding aspect of the journey you’re on?
And a REMINDER:
Leave a comment/subscribe to my blog to be entered in my end-of-the-month giveaway! (This month’s prize includes a $10 Target gift card and some other nifty treats.) Here are the RULES and general info.
Photo Credit: Patrick H. Lauke/Creative Commons
Happy Friday and Blessings Always,
Comments 8
God’s equipped us for this ministry and we can trust that we have what it takes.
Needed that today. Thank you so much! Hugs!
Author
Jess, that’s something I tell myself regularly. The enemy would have us believe otherwise, but we know that God’s defeated the great deceiver!
Hugs right backatcha!
What have I learned? Oh so much…and I’m learning still. I hope I keep learning, ’cause really, that’s probably the point of this publication journey anyway–not so much what I accomplish, but what God accomplishes IN me through the publication journey.
The best thing has been seeing God grow my trust–through the waiting and stagnate seasons and the doors-bursting-open seasons. He continually proves to me that His timing and plans rock. 🙂
Author
Melissa, preach it! Love your wisdom and your positive outlook. His timing is, indeed, everything!
So excited to see what God’s doing in your life!
You’re so right–and I am very blessed to have YOU, a true encourager. 🙂 Thanks for making my writing journey so sweet!
Author
Jill, you humble me. And I’m blessed to be on the journey with YOU!
I have learned that there are a bazillion things that try to get in the way of writing.
Author
Patti, that’s the truth. I believe sometimes that’s just the enemy’s way of discouraging us along the way. Even if I can get one thought, one line, or something down on paper, I feel like I’m still productive.