When Dreams Die via Janalyn Voigt

I think if we’re honest, everyone has dreams. We dream different things, but each of us has an intrinsic desire to see our goals come to fruition. We long to see those little seeds of hope, our most fervent desires, sprout and blossom into something beautiful. Something successful. 

Today please welcome my friend Janalyn Voigt as she shares what happened when her dreams died…and when God spoke life into them again. 

Share with us, Janalyn!

What’s the question?

The question, when you are twelve, is what do you want to be when you grow up? The possibility of failing is rarely mentioned, or at least it wasn’t mentioned to me.

I decided at a tender age to become a published author. Technically, I attained that goal in my early twenties when I sold manuscripts to several magazines. My real desire, however, remained unsatisfied. (Click-to-Tweet)

I wanted to be a novelist.

In the days before self-publishing took the book world by storm, fledgling writers were told to break into print by writing nonfiction for magazines. Authors who succeeded in the nonfiction arena might prove themselves worthy to become novelists. This advice seems strange now, since nonfiction and fiction are separate creatures. Back then, few questioned it.

Several articles and a short story bearing my byline came out in top Christian magazines, but then my ability to write took a nosedive. Ignoring invitations from my editors to submit more articles, I stared at my blank computer screen in despair.

Fear of success held me back, but then so did fear of failure. I’d been given too much, too fast. (Click-to-Tweet)

It took me a year to recover.

My contacts had grown cold, but I could use my publication credits to try for a book contract.

The testimony of my salvation as a troubled teen had been carried by three magazines. I’d given my testimony as a guest speaker for local groups and in churches.

Rather than pursuing fiction writing, I decided to break into publishing with my autobiography.

It took a year to write the book, but finally I was ready to submit my manuscript to an editor. I drove to a Christian writing conference to meet with an editor. During my appointment, the editor read the first couple of pages in my manuscript while I sat nervously clutching my hands. He glanced up. “It’s well-written and in a style teens would enjoy.”

“Thank you.”

He took a breath. “There’s only one problem. You’re not famous.”

It felt like someone punched me in the stomach.

I understand now that the editor was trying to tell me that I didn’t have an audience for my book.

I cried for several days but continued to pursue publication. After many rejections and much angst, I finally landed a contract! (Click-to-Tweet)

It arrived along with a letter stating that the publishing house was divided over whether my story would succeed. The editors felt it would make a substantial contribution to Christian literature.

The marketing staff, however, was certain it would fail. The contract reflected this divide. When I questioned some of the terms, the publishing house withdrew the offer.

I gave up on writing altogether. My dream began to die.

Years later, I rededicated my life to the Lord and asked what He wanted me to do for Him. The answer came clear almost at once.

I was to finish writing the medieval epic fantasy series I’d abandoned when I quit writing. Doing so made no sense. Those in the know kept telling me that Christian fantasy was a hard-sell. I didn’t care. I was finished trying to make myself succeed as a writer.

I would never again base my writing projects on the advice of others or my own plan to “break in” to publishing. (Click-to-Tweet)

All I wanted to do was write the stories that resonated within me as inspired by the Lord.

I still had a lesson to learn, however.

I found a publisher for DawnSinger, the first book in the series, almost before I finished writing it. Eager to realize my dream, I ignored the check in my spirit. My publishing house decided to veer away from Christian fiction. They wound up releasing my début novel from contract just prior to its launch.

I had quit writing after losing a contract, but this time I held on. I spent time in prayer, as I should have done from the beginning.

DawnSinger found a new publisher within three months, and I’ve gone on to write more novels.

I’ve learned that stepping out ahead of God brings only sorrow. In order to attain my dreams, I must first surrender them to God. (Click-to-Tweet)

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BIO

Janalyn Voigt fell in love with literature at an early age when her father read chapters from classics as bedtime stories. When Janalyn grew older, she put herself to sleep with tales “written” in her head. Today Janalyn is a storyteller who writes in multiple genres. The same elements—romance, mystery, adventure, history, and whimsy—appear in all her novels in proportions dictated by their genre. Janalyn Voigt is represented by Wordserve Literary. Learn more about Janalyn, read the first chapters of her books, subscribe to her e-letter, and join her reader clubs at http://janalynvoigt.com.

 

 

Links to Janalyn Voigt Online:

Website: http://janalynvoigt.com

Website for authors: http://livewritebreathe.com

Sign up for Janalyn’s mailing list: http://janalynvoigt.com/join-e-letter

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Janalyn-Voigt/e/B008CEX4P4

Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/JanalynVoigt

Goodreads Author Page: http://janalynvoigt.com/goodreads

Bookbub Author Page: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/janalyn-voigt

 

 

 

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PLEASE SHARE

 

When the editor told this author “There’s only one problem…” she couldn’t have guessed he meant this.

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Have your dreams died? Do you feel like you’ve failed? Shake it off! Here’s the encouragement you need today.

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THOUGHTS TO ENCOURAGE YOU

 

Success… Is It Too Late?

They say age is relative, but how long should we really pursue our goals?

How to Thrive Despite the Odds

Five ways to flourish despite life’s hardships.

 

 

Original Image Credit: Dawid Zawiła/Unsplash

 

 

Have you had a dream die only to see God resurrect it?

What dd you learn?

What insight would you share with others as they face a season of hardship?

 

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Thanks for stopping by!

Now… Don’t fight the feelin’! For more love, fun, and encouragement, please join my newsletter family and Facebook group. Pssst…These are the places I’ll also share more in-depth about HER HOPE DISCOVERED, my debut novel, as well as additional books and writing projects.

Welcome aboard!

Much Love and Many Blessings,