Pollen. One tiny seven-letter word packs a powerful impact in our day. This year, I experienced the pollen in Central Florida in January and February. Then as I traveled, I ran into it in March in North Florida. Now, I’m up in the mountains and getting my third dusting with it. The result? Read, itchy eyes, uncontrollable sneezing and a face that feels like it will explode. I think I’ve had my fill of… POLLEN!

As I sit looking out the window at my yellow dusted car, I’m reminded that’s what writers face, too. You’re on a journey. As you travel the writing road, you’ll experience changes in climate and all that brings.

You may have experienced your own irritants as you entered into a new season of your writing. Then you moved on along your journey and it seems you’re experiencing the same thing. That keeps repeating itself. Well, because you’re on the move. That’s a good thing, for sure but it does irritate your writing nostrils.

Writing pollen is absolutely essential to your success and continued life as a writer. No, it’s no fun to get writer dust all over the place. It can even put you down for the count and make you miserable. But, just as the springtime rains wash the pollen away, there will be showers that will dust off your manuscript and make you feel fresh and new.

It brings new life and challenge to your work. And that’s a good thing. When was the last time you enjoyed reading a dull, boring, lifeless novel and enjoyed it? Umm… never, right? Your readers are the same way. You want to give them work that is alive and, dare I say “lime green” with newness. They deserve that from you. And you deserve to have it.

So, my metaphorically red-eyed, sneezing friend, If you want flowers to bloom in your writing career, you gotta put up with the pollen. Praise the Lord… and pass the tissues.

Do you feel like you’re overrun in your writing career with professional pollen? How can you dust yourself off? Share it here.

***

Reba J. Hoffman is a natural encourager and Member Care Coach at My Book Therapy. She holds a Ph.D. in Clinical Counseling and is the founder of Magellan Life Coaching (www.magellanlifecoaching.com). She is the author of Dare to Dream, a Writer’s Journal published by My Book Therapy. She also publishes a motivational and encouraging blog, FindingTrue North. Contact Reba at reba@magellanlifecoaching.com.