How I Know I’m Meant to Be a Writer

Lindsay Harrel, @LindsayHarrel

My story is like that of a lot of authors: I knew I wanted to write since I was a little girl.

I’d fill pages and pages with my stories (and pathetic stick art too!). I dreamed. I crafted. I created.

Along the way, I lost my vision for writing fiction and pursued journalism instead. But about eight years ago, I could no longer ignore the call of the fiction world. I just knew I had to be part of it, because it was already part of me.

I had a few years of a sort of “honeymoon” period—that time when the words came easy and I allowed myself to swim in the ocean of possibilities, to soak up all the learning, to imagine everything coming my way. I just knew in my heart that I was going to be published one day. One day soon! That all the hard work would pay off and I’d get there earlier than most do.

Oh, Lindsay. *pats the Lindsay of eight years ago on the head*

Let’s back up a bit. School and other academic endeavors always came naturally to me. I say that not to brag, but to help you understand—I was used to success, if only I worked hard enough.

And when I dove into this writing journey, I expected the same.

So imagine my surprise when it didn’t exactly go as planned.

When it took several written books to get published.

When I got editorial letters that have me completely ripping apart my book.

When I didn’t final in any contests with a book I poured my heart and soul into.

When I didn’t sell as many books as I wish I had.

So, I doubled down. Did more. Strove more. 

And you know what I got? A whole lotta tired. 

What was wrong with me? Why wasn’t my hard work paying off? Why did I still need the help of my critique partners, my agent, my editor?

I remember praying and asking God, “When am I ever going to get to the point when I won’t need help? When I won’t need YOUR help?”

And oh, man.

That’s when it hit me. I will never get to the point when I don’t need God. Or my craft partners. Or just help in general.

That was pure pride talking.

You see, for me, writing is a humbling experience. It’s something I can’t possibly succeed at on my own. So much of it—especially sales and reviews—is outside of my control. I can try and try and keep spinning my wheels in vain, and never get to where I’m going.

For me, writing is something that draws me closer to God. But only if I let it. 

It’s something that’s truly a challenge for me. That doesn’t come easy. That requires ALL of me…and a little bit more.

That’s how I know: I’m meant to be a writer.

Nothing else—except perhaps parenting—puts me constantly at the Lord’s feet asking Him for help. 

Of course, we have to be careful, because writing is so public. There are constantly eyes on us, on our work. When we succeed, it can be easy to have the opposite problem and forget all the people (including God) who got us where we are. 

Instead of squashing the pride, writing success can cause it to billow out of control if we let it. 

Here are three tricks I use to keep my writing journey centered on God:

  • Before I sit down to write, edit, or brainstorm a scene, I ask God to join me and guide me as I work. (I got this idea from an ACFW conference class taught by Allen Arnold, who wrote a fabulous book called The Story of With. I highly recommend it!)
  • I create a marketing plan for each book that feels doable. Then I just do that. We only have so much time and energy, and we shouldn’t spend it worrying about sales and comparing our efforts with those of other authors.
  • I pray that each book I write will reach exactly who needs to read it. 

This doesn’t mean I don’t still struggle. Believe me, I do! But I’m confident that I’m meant to be a writer—and whatever that uncharted journey looks like, it’s a comfort to know at least that!

What about you? How do you know you are meant to be a writer? 


Like A Winter Snow

 

In this standalone holiday novella, return to the charming Cornish village readers fell in love with in The Secrets of Paper and Ink.

Women’s counselor Joy Beckman has always been a friend and helper to all. That’s why she’s given up everything to be with her parents as her mother suffers through Alzheimer’s. Joy may not have a thriving career or a love life at the moment, but she’s doing what she does best—taking care of others. And even though it’s difficult, she knows it’s where she is supposed to be.

But life throws a curveball when she has to leave her parents temporarily to travel to Cornwall, England, for the Christmas-time wedding of her best friend. While there, Joy helps Sophia tackle her last-minute to-do list, and in the process, finally meets a man who turns her head—and her heart. The only problem? He lives in snowy London, and her life is with her parents back in sunny Florida.

She tries to resist Oliver Lincoln’s charms, but it’s harder than it should be. With her heart torn in two, Joy is forced to choose between a life she knows she’s meant for and the one she didn’t see coming.

“The sumptuous sea-swept shores of Cornwall provide a unique and alluring canvas for Harrel’s Like a Winter Snow. Readers wishing for an arm-chair vacation for the holidays will find themselves happily accompanied by Joy and Oliver to a beguiling British setting. Borrowing the enchanting village from her reader favorite The Secrets of Paper and Ink, Harrel’s foray into Christmas romance is bolstered by a strong and empathetic look at love, faith, restoration and the promise of love where we least expect it. I hope to revisit Port Willis for many reading adventures to come.” —Rachel McMillan, author The Three Quarter Time series

“A romantic Christmas story set in beautiful seaside England? Yes, please! Lindsay Harrel’s Like a Winter Snow is the perfect mix of depth and charm. Joy and Oliver are so likable and relatable—and together, they’re just plain adorable. Plus, I can’t help but love that they’re a little older than your average hero and heroine. From the Christmasy atmosphere to moments both swoony and poignant, I loved this story…and I know readers will, too!” —Melissa Tagg, Carol Award-winning author of Now & Then & Always and the Walker Family series

“Like a Winter Snow offers all the depth of emotion Lindsay’s readers have come to expect from her books—wrapped up with a wonderful Christmas bow! A beautiful story of learning to let go of the uncontrollable and opening your heart to love. I highly recommend!” —Liz Johnson, bestselling author of The Red Door Inn

Lindsay Harrel is a lifelong book nerd who lives in Arizona with her young family and two golden retrievers in serious need of training. She’s held a variety of writing and editing jobs over the years, and now juggles stay-at-home mommyhood with writing no

vels. Her debut novel, One More Song to Sing, was a finalist in the 2017 ACFW Carol Awards. When she’s not writing or chasing after her children, Lindsay enjoys making a fool of herself at Zumba, curling up with anything by Jane Austen, and savoring sour candy one piece at a time.  Connect with her at http://www.LindsayHarrel.com or on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram

Comments 1

  1. When I was a wee lad I would sit in my room and draw little comics. As I got older I would write stories about … well, lame things. Skateboards with lasers. When I became an adult, something happened and I stopped writing and telling stories. I got in the “9-5” groove working in an industry I really didn’t have passion for, but it paid the bills.

    Fast forward, I’m striving to get back into this. I feel that God has allowed me to go through certain struggles, as well as learn certain things, that can help me venture back into story telling. I’ve learned a lot about marketing when I was head of the marketing department for a company. I learned a lot about technology being in IT for the past 20+ years. I’ve grown in Him by realizing that the only way I’ll ever see real growth and change is by relying fully on Him.

    I’m not published. I haven’t yet finished a book. I’m still trying to get back into the flow of story telling.

    But I’m confident that He who is living inside of me is greater than all the struggles, frustrations, disappointments, and financial hardships I’ve had to deal with over the years. And if it is His will for me to tell stories, it will happen in His timing. Not mine. No amount of “feet to my prayers” will make it happen unless those feet are His.

    Thank you for constantly being a light in the darkness, and writing these inspirational and encouraging posts. Keep up the great work.

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