by Tammy Karasek, @tickledpinktam

There have been many conferences this year already, both online and in person. Maybe you’ve attended one or two yourself. While there, we may be hearing about the successes of our fellow writers, yet we may be hearing rejections. Or worse, no response at all. 

Whether you attend a conference to pitch your book, submit your writing piece or book to a place accepting submissions online, we could agree that our desired outcome if we are doing any of these things is to hear:

“Oh, yeah! This is the best story/article ever. We want this from you and want to pay you a huge advance followed by large royalties. Who cares what your platform numbers are? Who cares if you even have a platform? You’re the next best writing thing that has come along and we’ve got to have you at our publishing house.”

I say that with tongue in cheek, because I am, after all, a fiction writer like you might be. That scenario is not likely to happen unless we write that into a book.

We sure can play the comparison game if we allow ourselves to go down that path. How did she get a deal, she just started writing and I’ve been slaving over writing for years? Why does he get every article published that he submits no matter where he submits it to?

I propose an idea for you to ponder. What if we think differently about our writing and writing timelines though? More than likely we are writing because we felt God nudge us to do so. And if He has done that, He has gifted us with the talents of stringing words together to form understandable sentences. Maybe the mechanics of story are not error-free perfect, but we’re getting there. The message is clear, though the grammar may need some help. 

We need to continue to write the words that God gives us to spread the gospel where maybe someone may not expect. We as Christ followers and writers can share about Him to a person who may never pick up a Bible, but they may pick up a book to read a good story. God has us writing just where He wants us—for this moment. 

I’m reminded of Queen Esther. She needed to keep her identity a secret to protect her people. But her Uncle Mordi (I love Uncle Mordecai) reminded her that while the work may be toilsome and somewhat scary, he positioned the question to her in Esther 4:14b “Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for such a time as this?” Or for us—made us writers for such a time as this.

We might ask, “How will my words get out there if God isn’t giving me a book deal?” Who told us God wanted us to have a book deal? Did God actually show us He wanted us to write a book to be published? Or could He be asking us to write the words He gave us and when He is ready, will place them where He wants them. Who knows where God wants our words to land. If we don’t get a book deal on our first pitch, should we throw in the towel and quit forever? I don’t think so. 

Instead of becoming discouraged because we haven’t landed that multi-million-dollar book contract yet, maybe just take a breath. Don’t sit and wait for an answer on the one thing we pitched. Keep writing. Do the next project. 

And while we are moving forward, here are a couple thoughts:

What if we start thinking differently about those no answers we get. Instead of taking that no and let satan roll that one word into things like, “No way.” or “Who in the world told you that you could write?” or “Are you nuts, you won’t stick with this.” 

I suggest we change how we view that No. 

Instead of No and a string of negativity behind that simple word, how about we change that thinking. What if when we hear No, we take that as No—not yet. 

God has us right where we are just like He had Queen Esther. We don’t see the why just like she didn’t. But let’s keep working the craft and learning all we can. Novel Academy is a great tool to help in growing as a writer. Consider joining if you aren’t already a member. 

Let’s be excited for the others as they get the long awaited yes. One day that will be us and we’ll want to feel free to share without making someone else sad or angry. Let’s rejoice when others rejoice. Our time will come. 

Though the writing journey may not feel exciting at times, and we may have to stand up for Jesus in our writing pieces to non-believers, let’s remember what Peter was instructing to the Elders at the end of I Peter: 

“My purpose in writing is to encourage you and assure you that what you are experiencing is truly part of God’s grace for you. Stand firm in this grace.” I Peter 5:12b (NLT)

I encourage each of you to stand firm in the grace of God and keep on writing for His glory, no matter what.

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Tammy Karasek uses humor and wit to bring joy and hope to every aspect in life. Her past, filled with bullying and criticism from family, drives her passion to encourage and inspire others and give them The Reason to smile. She’s gone from down and defeated to living a “Tickled Pink” life as she believes there’s always a giggle wanting to come out! A writer of Romance—with a splash of sass. She’s also The Launch Team Geek helping authors launch their books and also a Virtual Assistant for several best-selling authors. She is now under contract for her book on Launch Teams due to release Fall 2023. Her work was also published in a Divine Moments Compilation Book—Cool-inary Moments. She’s also the Social Media Manager for the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference, Founding President and current Vice-President of ACFW Upstate SC, and Founding President of Word Weavers Upstate SC. She’s a writing team member for The Write Conversation Blog, Novel Academy, MBT Monday Devotions, The Write Editing and more. Connect with Tammy at https://www.tammykarasek.com.