When Lisa Jordan got her first book contract with Love Inspired, I got to go along for the ride. We talked and emailed back and forth sharing the adventure. We were also prayer partners.

One day as I put fingers to keyboard, I felt the Lord leading me to pray that she would experience all the splendor of her very first time… at publishing. I realized that, even though she may publish hundreds of novels, she would NEVER again experience her first novel contract, launch, print.

I meet with people every day of my career who look back over their lives wishing they’d taken more time to enjoy the journey. They were so focused on the end result, they don’t remember their first encounters. They rushed right by them with eyes fixed on the finish line. How sad.

No matter where you are in your writing journey, I urge you to stop. Yes, I mean now. Pull the brake and listen up.

WRITING IS A JOURNEY, NOT A DESTINATION

Each part of your journey has wonderful first encounters that are meant to be savored, revered and appreciated. The first time you tripped over the words that nervously tumbled out of your mouth as you tried to pitch your best story to an editor is something to be proud of .

Oh, and we can’t forget the first rejection letter. Why you ask? Because, it is only from the depths of the valley that we appreciate the height of the mountaintop. Your first descent into the depths of “thanks but no thanks” will show you how high you will be able to climb.

You can avoid many things in life, but if you are a writer, you can’t avoid your first time. Every aspect of your writer life will have a first encounter. Live it. Experience it to its fullest. Record it. Memorialize it and use it to build your future on. You’ll also have a stockpile of accomplishments to encourage you in the rough times.

Don’t waste the precious times you have by being focused on the wrong thing. Love your first encounters! Years from now, you’ll be glad you did!