by Kariss Lynch, @Kariss_Lynch
Does this story matter?
That’s what we wonder as we write our manuscripts, which often feel like a mess as we write. What we are really wondering is: Will readers like it? Will it be the next big thing? Will I have another idea after this story? Can I turn this into a career?
But these questions all point to the bigger question: Does my story matter? Am I, as an author, making a difference?
At least those are my core struggles as I dream, plan, and write. Truth be told, I have a much easier time coming up with epic (in my mind) story ideas and engaging, entertaining characters. But the actual writing, at least in my current season of life, has been much more difficult.
And it raises the question: Is my effort and creativity pointless?
In his Bible Gateway devotional, J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and Work that Lasts Forever, Jordan Raynor says, “We all envision more work than we’ll ever be able to accomplish in a lifetime, and we fear that the little we do accomplish will burn up in the end…”
Tolkien feared that he would die before he finished the masterpiece that became The Lord of the Rings. Thank goodness he had faithful, Christian writer friends encouraging him to keep writing. Today, that series has impacted countless men, women, and children across generations all over the world. He doubted. But he persevered.
Tolkien wondered if his story mattered. He wondered if it was pointless to keep writing. He wondered if he could drum up the energy and creativity to continue. I don’t know about you, but if one of the greatest literary minds struggled with these things, I’m in good company.
I have more book ideas in my head than I may be able to write in my current season of pregnancy and raising a toddler. When I finally squeeze writing time in, I feel like what I do write is terrible. But let’s affirm one another right now, shall we? Your story matters—both the one you are writing and the one you are living. Every book impacts someone. You are making a difference.
If you are feeling stuck or discouraged with your writing journey, or maybe you aren’t currently stuck, but you can look back on a season when you felt that way, I encourage you to hit pause and spend time dreaming with God today. Ask him what he may want to do with your story. Ask him to use it to impact even one person. And ask him to multiply the impact for eternity.
Then sit back down and get to writing. All you can do is add words to the page. God controls the impact.
Dreaming with God is a sweet and freeing process. Let’s make it a regular part of our writing journey, shall we? In it with you, friend. You’ve got this!
When a car almost runs over him in the middle of a snowstorm, ex-Navy SEAL Micah Richards knows he’s hit rock bottom. After the deaths of several of his teammates, Micah is sure of two things: he only hurts those he tries to protect and their deaths are his fault. He has one family left on his list to pay his respects but stranded on the side of a mountain in the middle of the night, Micah has run low on options until Casey Stewart comes careening into his life.
The last thing Casey wants is a man, especially one as charming and handsome as Micah who reminds her of her heartache from high school. And especially not when she has so much on her plate: kids trapped in the middle of bad neighborhood cycles at home and a sister who needs out from under their mother’s roof. But helping is in her nature, and something about Micah makes her want to let him in.
Now in the same city, Micah and Casey just can’t seem to stay away from one another, despite Casey’s best efforts. The more, he gets to know the community, the more he wants to stay. When a local drug dealer goes awry, Casey has only one person to turn to—the one who could hurt her heart the most. Micah must face the demons of his past to fight for his new team and new dream—a woman with the heart of a warrior who fights for others. A woman he would die for.
Kariss Lynch is the author of the Heart of a Warrior series and loves writing romance about characters with big dreams, adventurous hearts, and enduring hope. In her free time, Kariss goes on adventures with her own personal handsome hero, explores the great outdoors, and tries not to plot five stories at once. Connect with her at karisslynch.com, or on Facebook, Instagram, or Goodreads.