Photo Credit: Darren Harmon/Creative Commons
Most writers will tell you the in between seasons are the hardest. Because I’ve promised to tell you the truth, I won’t sugarcoat it. They are.
Waiting (especially a prolonged season of waiting) is like a knife to the weary writer’s heart. As each hope-filled day passes, so does a tiny bit of our resolve.
We struggle to make sense of the “close, but no cigar” or “not quite there” feedback, while realizing, too, traditional publishing is undergoing major change.
Our season of waiting may involve many dynamics: refinement of craft, strengthening of story, improving characters, eliminating POV bugs, etc. Then again—our season in the abyss might not have to do with our writing at all. Perhaps, it’s just not our time.
As I visited my favorite blogs this week, I was struck by the poignancy of a commenter’s words. Discouragement punctuated the last two paragraphs of his blog comment. He mirrored what many writers have experienced at one time or another.
He reflected upon his writing ability based upon beta readers’ views. He’s articulate and expressive. His story resonates.
…But balanced against that are the numbers of queries which received polite rejection over the years, or which drew no response at all.
It may be content, it may be timing, it may be many things…but it may be time to let go.
My writer’s heart clenched at his last four words. I knew how he felt. I’ve been there.
This was what I said in reference to his comment:
Or… maybe you could revise and try sending it out ‘just one more time.’ And while you’re in the season of “waiting,” maybe the Lord’s nudging you to start something new. Just a thought.
I really hope he read my response because I see so much potential in his writing. (He’s known throughout various writing circles.) Though I’m not familiar with his story, it’s obvious this writer has heart. And knowledge. And fortitude. Probably perseverance, too, since I’m sensing this writer is a military veteran.
Here’s the deal: a writer’s life is not for the faint of heart. That’s the Rated G version.
To those uninformed souls who say “What on earth’s taking you so long? You’ve been at this forever!” I just shake my head.
No idea.
They. Really. Have. No. Idea.
It’s not just a matter of taking pen to paper or putting fingers to a keyboard. It’s not about writing the story. (Oh! If only!) It’s not about getting the agent. The publisher. The whatever.
Let’s get real.
It’s about the season. The timing. The God-ordained This is YOUR moment!
Yes, perhaps, there are things we, as writers, can do to hasten our moment.
- Read books on the writing craft
- Join writing groups
- Enlist mentors
- Enlist critique partners (vastly different from beta readers)
- Hire an editor
- Write as much as we possibly can
Those things make sense.
BUT when we’ve done all that AND more, and God’s answer is still “Not yet,” we have no other alternative BUT to wait. And trust.
Trust that our writing ministry isn’t about us.
Trust that our story will still wait.
Trust that God sees the bigger picture.
Trust that He will bring our season to fruition.
Trust that we can’t quit now.
John Waller’s “While I’m Waiting” speaks to me. (This particular bio and video are older, but I really liked what John had to say in the interview, and of course, the words in his song resonate.)
From Fireproof (a movie about marital discord versus Christ-centered marriages), “While I’m Waiting” is a song about the process of waiting and our reliance upon the Lord as we’re in that season. It applies to all facets of our lives really—not just marriage.
When I say you mustn’t quit, I mean it. If I didn’t (and trust me—I had good reason to quit), you mustn’t either.
God can change circumstances in a heartbeat.
He can orchestrate happenstance into the here and now.
He can alter detours into divine appointments.
He can and does demonstrate deliberate turn-of-events in our favor.
If you quit now, you’ll always wonder.
If you quit now, your stories may die, but the words won’t.
If you quit now, your human flesh might be appeased, but your soul will ache.
Why?
Because your writer’s heart will still beat.
For that deeply intrinsic thing God’s gifted you with.
Your craft.
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Have you ever experienced a waiting season?
If you’re in a season of waiting—be it writing related or something else—how are you staying proactive?
PLEASE SHARE
If God’s answer is still “Not yet,” what you should know as you wait: (Click to Tweet)
It’s not about your story, the agent, or even the publisher. Here’s the deal: (Click to Tweet)
Writers, are you in a season of waiting? Why you can’t give up now: (Click to Tweet)
ENCOURAGEMENT
When to Veer Direction and When to Stay the Course
Photo Credit: Darren Harmon/Creative Commons
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Much Love and Many Blessings,
Comments 14
As it happened…on the day the words you quoted above were written, an agent wanted to see my work.
The season in the desert has been long, and may still go on, but it has brought blessings. My life would have been quite different with immediate success.
My wife would not have found a successful career.
I would not have met Josie and Reebok and Bray and Spin Cycle and Labby and Flower Pot and Denali and Bella the Wheelchair Dog. They would have died.
And I would not have learned the humility that I suspect was needed.
So, I’ve taken your words to heart, and I’m not giving up.
But there’s another reason not to quit. Our world is a tapestry, and the most isolated of us touches lives. If we let go, we break the warp and woof of the weaving around us, and who knows where that tear may lead?
Who knows what other bonds may fail because WE failed…not in our goal, but in our common responsibility?
And who knows what dreams of brightness we may have dimmed?
No. We can’t quit. We just can’t.
Author
Andrew, I’m over the moon excited for you! Congratulations! (I prayed about my post today, but felt the Holy Spirit was leading…)
Blessings, Blessings, Blessings!
I love your encouragement today, Cynthia! I especially love your emphasis on God’s timing. I think one of the frustrating things during a season of waiting is my desire to make things happen, to DO something…that way I don’t feel like I’m just, well, waiting. But I think sometimes when I constantly grasp for something, anything, to do during the wait, I miss out on what God might be trying to teach me in the process…
And I also love this: “He can and does demonstrate deliberate turn-of-events in our favor.” I have lived that. And I can look back and see how ONLY God could’ve lined things up the way He did. It’s what I want to remember when I’m in future waiting seasons.
Author
Melissa, I so love your heart (and you blessed me with your Wednesday devo today at Jess’s place!)
You know, I believe, too, that God sometimes grants us what we want when it isn’t necessarily His timing so as to teach us… “See, my child, MY timing would have been much, much better.” But he permits the harsh lessons when we beg/ask enough, as well as His beautiful bounty during our season of blessing and (His timing.)
Amen, Cindy! I’m in a season of waiting right now, and it’s only trusting God that’s getting me through it. Disappointments are only pitstops on the bigger journey…unless we pack up and quit, which I don’t plan to do anytime soon.
Author
Lindsay, absolutely–you cannot quit! The waiting process is beyond difficult. So thankful that God knits together our dreams at just the right time! (((HUGS))) to you, my friend!
Cynthia, these words are the stuff of a beautiful lifeline. Thank you for sharing your heart today! Such encouragement. You inspire me, and so many others, and I think God is using you just as much now, and just as effectively now, as he will one day through your published books. Hugs! 🙂
Author
Amanda, thank you so much for your kind words! To be used by God in a way that would bring glory to Him should be our highest aspiration. I appreciate you stopping by and (((hugs))) right backatcha!
I love what you said about our author heart will still keep beating…there are SO many times I’ve wanted to give up (maybe weekly!). But I keep coming back to THIS is what I want to do, even if I’m having to learn marketing, formatting, and a myriad of things that aren’t so “writerly.” In the end, I will be stronger and more ready to self-pub or work with publishers on my next books. I can see that all those years of waiting have worked together for GOOD. Satan tries to discourage us, especially when we’re on the cusp of something big. But we have to just keep hanging in there, and hanging on to the prayers we know people are lifting up on our behalf! Encouraging post, Cynthia!
Author
Heather, so glad my words blessed you! (And I still have my sticky note beside my computer. Remember… everyday about 3:00 p.m. what I am doing?) I’m so tickled for you as you venture forth with your writing ministry! Congratulations on tomorrow’s release of God’s Daughter!
This spoke to me from start to finish and has given me affirming energy. The energy to go ON haha The only thing that saves me overall is the fact I do write new every day (or edit or compile manuscripts or submit or “market”) and life is a numbers game. As long as my production overall is moving in the right direction and my craft is improving, I can’t ask for anything more.
I appreciate how well you communicated the horrible vacuum that is a writer’s life.
Author
Pete, yes–you must go on–I look forward to reading your work! Blessings as you proceed!
Cynthia,
I just discovered you & followed you on Twitter. These are some of the best words of encouragement a writer—or anyone else, for that matter—could ask for.
Just recently, I feel God has ignited the writer within, and I’ve launched my own blog for practicing and honing my skills at writing as well as resurrected a novel I’d written for NaNoWriMo and then abandoned back in 2009.
I’ve written in many journals for years, but never thought my writing was good enough to amount to anything. But now I feel the season for writing has finally begun and that I’ve been given a second chance to see what I can become.
Thanks for your wonderful words of inspiration and motivation. It’s just what us low self-esteemed writers need!
Author
Eric, delighted to have you visit—I’m humbled my words blessed you.
Congratulations for moving forward with your writing dream! Are you a member of ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers)? It’s a wonderful, encouraging group of writers/authors who write in many different genres. Check out their website for a wealth of information and resources. They offer so much and it’s a great support system.
Learning craft is an ongoing process. Don’t be daunted or insecure about what you don’t know yet. We’re all learning together.
Blessings as you proceed!