Writers! Whatcha going to do?

We’re like this, right?

So full of doubt.

Quick to compare.

And well, aren’t readers and reviewers doing that?

“If you like Susan May Warren, you’ll like Karen Kingsbury.”

Or the other way around.

Or, “I really like Karen Kingsbury better.”

And down the spiral we go.

Writing is art. It’s creative. And it’s hard.

We study, read, go to workshops, conferences and yet when we face the blank page, it’s like we’re in kindergarten of the writing world.

Today, I promise you I could not remember how to spell pedestal. Pedalstool? Maybe it’s two words. Pedal Stool. No, no, no, that’s not right.

What in the world?!

But forget that, spell check to the rescue or google search.

How do we press on when we can’t mold our story together in a cohesive way?

I found a new read last night, The Royal We, which is literally a fictionalized account of William and Kate’s story with the heroine being American.

It’s first person present so from the start I’m a bit envious. I miss my first person present writing days.

But the writing is so-so and the start a bit slow, the wham!

The dialog hits.

Y’all, I cannot, CAN NOT impress on you the importance of great dialog. Snappy dialog. Dialog the rings true of the characters and cultures.

Suddenly, I was drawn into the story world, loving every minute and at the same time, being reduced to a dialog novice.

I sure I have NO snappy dialog in any of my books.

When I went up to work on my very subpar fast draft, every ounce of my creative energy was zapped with the notion of my dialog stinking up the entire literary world.

The authors of The Royal We are internally famous fashion bloggers, “Go Fug Yourself,” so you can imagine the wit and snark running through their veins.

Their book moved me into a different space and it took my entire writing day to find mine again.

I did hit my word count, but you see, I lost the edge of my confidence.

And to compare a general market book with a Christian market book is just asking for trouble.

Then I saw this quote on Facebook, “The devil has authority where you lack identity.” Dano McCollam.

I had to ponder it.

Does he have authority? If I’m in Christ, then how does the devil have authority?

Because when we lack confidence in who we are and who He’s made us to be, we fall into the trap of comparison, jealousy and envy.

Next stop? Anxiety. Depression. And the swirl of giving up and shutting down.

Those emotions and thoughts are brut-tal on our creativity.

So yes, when we take our eyes off Jesus, the one who created us and designed us to be His writers, we are in the devil’s territory.

I know, the devil is scary and a lot of Christians think he can’t do anything to them and he can’t… unless we allow him.

Unless we agree with his lies. Agree with the “you’re nothing and you’re no one” that runs through our heads.

We should not give up any more ground to him.

Listen, faith is believing God has a plan and destiny for you EVEN when  you feel like all is lost.

We trust the Father, not our circumstances.

This year, I decided to write with joy and abandon. Have fun!

I’m not longer a slave to fear of “what happens next?” Or “what if my books don’t sell well?”

I’m not longer concerned about the outcome. He told me to write books and that is what I’ll do.

I’m gifted and inspired because He has given me everything I need to do the work He’s called me to do.

The parable of the talents would look like this in the writer’s world.

“I had five books to write, so I worked hard and wrote books, studied the craft, networked with people, built relationships. When my master returned, I’d actually written ten books! He was so pleased.”

“I had two books. Long, literary novels and when I saw how hard my friend was working to write not only five but ten novels, I got busy and wrote two more. I hit the New York Times best seller list!”

“I had one book to write. But man, it was hard and I knew my master had given more talents to my friends, so when he came back, he’d demand an account of my book. He’d want to know how well it sold and did I win any awards. I just can’t face that kind of pressure and accountability. What if I mess up? What if I don’t sell well? What if i don’t win any awards? And have you heard about writer’s block? No, no, I’m just going to sit on my one widdle talent and when my master returns, he can have it back. Besides, I got the day job thing and the kids, it’s just too much. And I love reruns of Friends and Big Bang. I have to relax sometime you know.”

Don’t let comparison and fear keep you from what God has for you. Don’t let busyness or excuses. Your destiny in HIM is found in the journey of pursing the things He’s put on your heart.

Be fearless. Don’t give the devil one more inch. Take back those negative thoughts and feelings. Cover them in the Word! In praise.

Now go write something brilliant!

 

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