by Lisa Jordan, @lisajordan

A couple of years ago before I retired from early childhood education, I had purchased a new train set for my childcare program. One of my Little Darlings waited patiently while I assembled it, then proceeded to move the three-car train along the tracks. If he pushed too hard or too fast, the small train derailed. As I watched him, I realized his actions resonated with how I’ve been struggling recently in my writing.

When I’m juggling my day job with family and church obligations while meeting deadlines, I’m left with little time to refill my creative well. Eventually, my fast-paced approach to writing ended up like the toy train—pushing too hard and too fast caused my writing to derail in the form of rejected proposals from my editor.

After talking with my amazingly smart agent and one of my talented mentors, I’ve considered three ways that will help get my writing back on track.

• Write with God. You know, this suggestion should be a given, but we writers tend to be a stubborn, independent lot, thinking we can handle stories on our own. The thing is, God wants us to partner with Him. Praying over our words and writing with God allows us to create novels that touch readers and align our hearts with His. In his book, The Story of With, Allen Arnold writes, “Living with a dependence on God and not on yourself is only available in the second realm—a place where we pursue our life, love, and creativity with” By the way, every Christian writer needs to read The Story of With … several times.
• Read for pleasure. I love to read. There’s nothing like curling up with a good book and getting swept away with characters who grip my heart. Lately, I’ve been reading some quality non-fiction that has been speaking to my soul. And I’m reading a novel by one of my good friends. Her ability to create well-developed characters keeps me turning the pages. When I’m struggling with my own writing, I have to force myself to pick up a book and read for pleasure. Reading enables me to see how other authors implement craft techniques for compelling stories. As Stephen King said, “If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have the time (or the tools) to write. Simple as that.”
• Spend time with other writers. No one understands the writing biz and its many struggles like other writers. Even though no one can write your story, writing doesn’t have to be a solitary occupation. Proverbs 27:17 reminds us, As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. An ideal way to spend time with other writers is at a writers retreat or conference like ACFW. Novel Academy’s Thursday night Peptalks help build community with other writers while learning the necessary skills to write great novels. The brainstorming benefits, education, and energetic atmosphere create excitement that curls around our hearts reminding us why we possess this passion for words and stories. Gathering together in person is the most beneficial, but if you can’t, connect online. Social media allows for groups to be formed no matter the time zone. 

Writing isn’t easy. And all writers will go through difficult seasons where putting words on the page is just plain difficult, especially when life circumstances, rejections, and not seeing forward movement in our careers weigh us down. However, taking time to write with God, spending time immersed in quality books, and fellowshipping with other writers affords opportunities to keep your writing fresh, focused, and on track.

Season of Hope

His dreams can all come true…but only if his ex-wife will agree!

Jake Holland’s peaceful dairy farm is a sanctuary—one he wants to share with other worn and weary veterans. He just needs one more piece of land to start his program…and it belongs to Tori Lerner, his ex-wife. A collaboration could benefit them both, but with a past full of secrets between them, is there any hope for renewed love?

Heart, home, and faith have always been important to Lisa Jordan, so writing stories with those elements come naturally. Represented by Rachelle Gardner of Books & Such Literary Management, Lisa is an award-winning author for Love Inspired, writing contemporary Christian romances that promise hope and happily ever after. Her latest book, Season of Hope, releases in March 2019. She is the Operations Manager for My Book Therapy. Happily married to her own real-life hero for almost thirty years, Lisa and her husband have two grown sons. When she isn’t writing, Lisa enjoys family time, kayaking, good books, and creating with words, stamps, fibers, and photos. Visit her at lisajordanbooks.com.