Last Saturday night, I sat crying as I listened to Renee Smith give her acceptance speech for winning the Historical Romance category in the annual ACFW Genesis Contest.

See, about two years ago, Renee came to my Deep Thinker’s Writer’s Retreat in the woods and worked on her story.

She had a lovely, amazing story.

But it had a few problems, as most stories do. So we wrestled them out. Renee knew what she wanted in her story, and we struggled together to get her story in that place. During that process, I sat in my chair and put my hands over my face and simply prayed for guidance. I wanted it to work for her. But I felt overwhelmed to know how to help.

Renee says that was the moment she nearly broke me.

But she didn’t! Because God showed up and helped us—and especially her—sort it out. She wrote that story.

And two years later, here she is, after winning her award.

But what is interesting is that during the writing of her story, her beloved sister was dying of cancer. And her story helped her keep going. Her sister was her champion, and believed in her. She wrote that story for her, despite feeling broken.

Writing a story is hard because the best stories come from the broken, wounded places inside. Authentic characters who struggle with real hurts and lies…who find real truth. You must be brave enough to go to those dark places to write the story.

It will break you.

But it might also be the path to healing, even joy, too.

I certainly saw Renee’s joy as she shared her story of hope.

I’ve written three stories this year—all of them about when happens when your heart is broken. They’re about anger, frustration, injustice…and forgiveness, healing, rebirth and joy. And I think they just might be my best stories yet.

Why? Because I was overwhelmed. Because God was there, showing up to help me write the story.

Be broken. Be overwhelmed. Then be brave, call on God and let the healing begin.

Your story matters. Write it with Him.

Go! Write something brilliant!

Susie May

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