Wednesday, August 20, 2014
Why isn't she writing?!
Learn. Grow. Inspire.
"You need to update your blog, ma'am." Last night's text was not the first reminder from Michaela, my writing buddy. Yes, I am sorry to say it's been a while since I've by blogged. (Which is rather sad since I only just created this blog.)
Due to a rather crazy summer and the overwhelming stage of my writing life right now, I admit I've been putting off blogging and at times not even sure what exactly to post. But here I am at last with a brand new post! So what's this blog post exactly about? Well I've been wondering the same thing since I sat down at my computer. How about something encouraging? Since I have developed the dream to become a novelist, I've come to the conclusion that every writer NEEDS encouragement from fellow writers.
When I ran the Pikes Peak marathon last year, I found myself not just rooted on by the amazing spectators but even more so by my fellow runners. As I was slowly and very painfully making my way up the mountain, the runners on their way down were the ones that kept me going. They encouraged me by letting my know that I was getting closer and once I got to the top, the run down was much easier. So I pushed...and pushed...and cried...and then at last made it to the top. And guess what? The way down was much easier! It actually felt good to run for once after at times practically crawling over rocks to reach the turnaround point. Those runners were right because they knew exactly what I was going through. And they knew that if I kept it up eventually things would get easier.
As a writer I have also found it comforting to know that all writers go through the same process of writing and rewriting their first novel. And every novelist faces the same thorough and very blunt critique of an editor. After sending in my book to a project editor this summer I have recently finished going through the evaluation and all the commentary throughout the manuscript. Several things are now clear to me. One, is that God truly has been gracious and blessed me with the gift to write. These last couple of years I've wondered at times if I was wasting time by pursuing a dream that I wasn't meant to live. I asked God constantly to give me wisdom and peace if this was His path for me. Now I am certain that He has intended me to use this gift to serve Him. Another thing I've learned is that my book still needs quite a bit of work to become publishable. Reading through my editor's comments, my expressions were often, "Oh wow...I didn't think of that." Or, "Oh dear, how stupid of me!" And lots of times, "I'm a horrible writer." BUT because my editor time and again reminded me I do have talent, I had to hold on to those words as I painfully trudged through the manuscript. The last couple of weeks have been as I mentioned before very overwhelming and I realize this process of writing a novel is not so fun. But this is also an extremely important part of developing my talent and bringing my writing skills to the next level. I feel as if after all the time and effort I put into my novel, God is handing it back to me saying, "You can do better." I want my book to be honoring to Him and the very best as He intended it to be.
Running the Pikes Peak marathon was the hardest thing I've ever done in my life. Both physically and mentally. It was more painful than words can say. But I have a medal that proves what God helped me accomplish.
To all you writers who are in that challenging process of crafting that first novel; if you keep pushing, no matter how far away the finish line seems now, someday you will have that beautiful completed project on your bookshelf.You will look back and realize it was all worth it.
I believe from every dream God gives us, we are to learn, grow, and inspire, always giving Him the glory.
Philippians 1:6 "Being confident of this very thing; that He who has begun a good work in you, will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ."
Due to a rather crazy summer and the overwhelming stage of my writing life right now, I admit I've been putting off blogging and at times not even sure what exactly to post. But here I am at last with a brand new post! So what's this blog post exactly about? Well I've been wondering the same thing since I sat down at my computer. How about something encouraging? Since I have developed the dream to become a novelist, I've come to the conclusion that every writer NEEDS encouragement from fellow writers.
When I ran the Pikes Peak marathon last year, I found myself not just rooted on by the amazing spectators but even more so by my fellow runners. As I was slowly and very painfully making my way up the mountain, the runners on their way down were the ones that kept me going. They encouraged me by letting my know that I was getting closer and once I got to the top, the run down was much easier. So I pushed...and pushed...and cried...and then at last made it to the top. And guess what? The way down was much easier! It actually felt good to run for once after at times practically crawling over rocks to reach the turnaround point. Those runners were right because they knew exactly what I was going through. And they knew that if I kept it up eventually things would get easier.
As a writer I have also found it comforting to know that all writers go through the same process of writing and rewriting their first novel. And every novelist faces the same thorough and very blunt critique of an editor. After sending in my book to a project editor this summer I have recently finished going through the evaluation and all the commentary throughout the manuscript. Several things are now clear to me. One, is that God truly has been gracious and blessed me with the gift to write. These last couple of years I've wondered at times if I was wasting time by pursuing a dream that I wasn't meant to live. I asked God constantly to give me wisdom and peace if this was His path for me. Now I am certain that He has intended me to use this gift to serve Him. Another thing I've learned is that my book still needs quite a bit of work to become publishable. Reading through my editor's comments, my expressions were often, "Oh wow...I didn't think of that." Or, "Oh dear, how stupid of me!" And lots of times, "I'm a horrible writer." BUT because my editor time and again reminded me I do have talent, I had to hold on to those words as I painfully trudged through the manuscript. The last couple of weeks have been as I mentioned before very overwhelming and I realize this process of writing a novel is not so fun. But this is also an extremely important part of developing my talent and bringing my writing skills to the next level. I feel as if after all the time and effort I put into my novel, God is handing it back to me saying, "You can do better." I want my book to be honoring to Him and the very best as He intended it to be.
Running the Pikes Peak marathon was the hardest thing I've ever done in my life. Both physically and mentally. It was more painful than words can say. But I have a medal that proves what God helped me accomplish.
To all you writers who are in that challenging process of crafting that first novel; if you keep pushing, no matter how far away the finish line seems now, someday you will have that beautiful completed project on your bookshelf.You will look back and realize it was all worth it.
I believe from every dream God gives us, we are to learn, grow, and inspire, always giving Him the glory.
Philippians 1:6 "Being confident of this very thing; that He who has begun a good work in you, will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ."
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