Writing can be a very isolating and introspective pursuit. Here are some thoughts that plague writers:
~ What if I can’t find an agent who wants to represent my work. If I do find one, will we be a good fit?
~ What if I can’t find a publisher who wants my manuscript?
~ With all the changes in the publishing industry and the decline in bookstores, it’s getting so much harder to get published.
~ There are so many other good writers out there, what makes me think my story will shine?
~ Facebook is a great place to connect with other writers and to applaud their successes. Some are getting contracts, others are elated about writing 2000 or 4000 words that day, all certainly praiseworthy. But some of us groan because it’s a struggle to get 300 words written in a day.
~ For those of us who rely heavily on research to write
stories, we anguish in trying to get every detail right. But we love the research part of it, sometimes so much that we have a hard time getting back to writing the story. See how conflicted we are?
~ Okay, got the book published. What if the readers don’t like it? What if the publisher we prayed would say yes, is disappointed in sales and having second thoughts? What if they don’t want my next book?
~ And then there is the whole platform and marketing aspect. Many writers are introverts, so the prospect of self-promotion is daunting. Authors must be on all sorts of social media, have their own websites, hopefully, be featured on other’s websites or blogs, have book signings if possible, give talks; all which require a different skillset than making up stories. Marketing takes a lot of time.
~ Are we nuts? Neurosis: a relatively mild personality disorder typified by excessive anxiety or indecision and a degree of social or interpersonal maladjustment.
But then:
I’m reminded that in writing inspirational fiction we don’t just write for the readers who hopefully like our stories, we write primarily for an audience of One.
~ Some of us believe we are called to write as a means of sharing our faith. Inspirational authors want to encourage and edify the reader as much as entertain them.
~ We ask the Lord to direct us in every aspect of our vocation from the creation of the stories and their themes to opening the doors that He wants us to go through. We ask for patience needed to wait on His timing, which is typically not our own.
~ We aren’t to compare ourselves to others, just do the work we’ve been given to do, and do it with a grateful heart. Now I need to get back to writing that story.
“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:” 1Peter 4:10
Ah, the angst of it all! And it never seems to get easier, no matter how many books I complete! Thank you for both a light-hearted yet inspirational view of the writer’s mind, passion, and calling. Loved it!
And I love the mug with one of our favorite classic memes.
Excellent post, Janet – – and so very, very true.
I’ve had to remind myself recently that my primary purpose is writing stories that honor the Lord, so I need to focus on doing my best for Him.
It never fails that when I’m having a writing day that’s not overly productive, that’s when I look at Facebook and see writers posting about having amazing word counts that day! 😉 Sometimes I think writers need to wear blinders (like horses) so we’re not distracted by others. But yet I’m always eager to share in my author friends’ successes and I’m genuinely happy for them, so for me it’s a matter of balance. Being thrilled for others but NOT comparing myself (or what I can do) to others. All of this to say THANK YOU for your post, and it’s going into my Keeper File! 🙂 Now I need to return to my WIP!
Blessings, Patti Jo
I know exactly what you mean. I’m thrilled other writers can be so productive. I suspect I do too much editing while I write and as much as I fight it I tend to be a seat of the pants writer. (For you non-writers, that means I don’t outline or plot ou much ahead of time. I see where “My imaginary friends” want to take the story.)