by Lisa Jordan, @lisajordan
As a new writer, one of the first writing rules I learned was to be sure there was plenty of white space on the page. At that time, I wasn’t quite sure what it meant, but as I grew in my craft and my abilities, I learned it meant having a good balance of dialogue and narrative to ensure the reader isn’t overwhelmed by the words on the page.
Dialogue on the page creates white space because it breaks up line after line of narrative. Another writing rule in writing is proper manuscript formatting. Manuscripts with uniform, clean margins used to allow for editorial comments (before Track Changes).
Allowing for white space and margins in our lives allows us to clean out the clutter and extra busyness that bogs us down. Filling every moment of our lives causes extra stress as we juggle more activities and events in our lives.
White space allows us to breathe. It allows room for creative brainstorming.
After running errands, I took a walk to take advantage of the warmer late-winter temperatures. decided to take a walk. I could have skipped the walk and hustled home to finish my work, but needed some white space—some mindful downtime—to refresh my spirit and refuel my creative energy.
Why do we feel like we have to fill every moment of our day? Or maybe it’s not even a want, but our growing to-do lists weigh us down with what needs to be done. And there are so many days when it feels like there’s more projects than time to complete them. There’s a reason why God commands us to work six days and rest on the seventh.
Susie May Warren once said, “Our goals are actually just dreams until we schedule them. Dreams inspire. Lists bring us down to earth. Schedules get stuff done.”
If our schedules are too full with other things, less important things, then we are crowding out opportunities to pursue our creative passions…and leaving very little room for white space.
Take a look at your monthly schedule. Have you created room to pursue the calling God has laid on your heart?
Have you built in white space in the story of your life? If not, what’s holding you back?
Allowing for white space takes sacrifice and commit to protect your creative time. You may need to learn to say no when you want to say yes. You may struggle with FOMO—fear of missing out—but when you honor God with your time and creative pursuits, that will give you a greater sense of satisfaction.
One of my favorite life changing Elisabeth Elliot quotes, shared by my good friend and award-winning author, Beth Vogt, says, “To say yes to one thing is to say no to a thousand others.”
Instead of constantly adding to your already busy life, I challenge you to spend some time in prayer and ask God what changes He’d like you to make. You may have to reevaluate your priorities and make some difficult decisions to eliminate busyness that crowds your white margins. Isn’t pursuing your dream worth it? Isn’t your peace of mind worth it?
What will you do to allow for more white space in your creative pursuits?
A veteran in need of a fresh start will get more than he bargained for…
Veteran Micah Holland’s scars go deeper than anyone knows. An inheritance from his mentor could be a new beginning—if he shares the inherited goat farm with fiercely independent Paige Watson. Now the only way they can keep the farm is to work together. But first Micah must prove he’s a changed man to keep his dream and the woman he’s falling for.
Heart, home, and faith have always been important to Lisa Jordan, so writing stories with those elements come naturally. Represented by Cynthia Ruchti 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, His Road to Redemption, releases in January 2022. She is the content manager for Novel Academy, powered by My Book Therapy. Happily married to her own real-life hero for over thirty years, Lisa and her husband have two grown sons. When she isn’t writing, Lisa enjoys quality family time and being creative with words, photos, fibers, and papers. Learn more about her at lisajordanbooks.com.