“You will be published if you keep writing”
A speaker at a writers conference said this a few years ago. Super obvious. I probably paid way too much to attend that conference, right?
Wrong.
It’s true. But you just have to actually do it.
You have to sit down, open up the computer and write. And then you have to pitch articles and books and write proposals. You have to hone your skills when someone tells you your writing stinks. You have to take criticism and edit and start over sometimes. You have to throw out whole paragraphs and chapters and rethink the structure. When you don’t have time, you have to make time. You have to do what it takes.
This goes for most things.
You want to have a good marriage? You want to be a worship leader? You want be an effective communicator? Then you have to do what it takes.
Find out what it takes, and then KEEP doing it until it happens.
I can call myself a writer and even write a whole book, but if I don’t let anyone know about it, if I’m not willing to be the best at my craft then it will go nowhere. If I want a good marriage and have the best intentions, but I hold on to my bitterness and selfish heart, then I will be stuck in that same horrible marriage forever. I can be a great guitar player and even have a great voice, but if I don’t work at daily intimacy with God, the music will be just a bunch of nice songs. And if I have a story to tell but I don’t practice telling it well, then no one will listen.
God has given us talents for a reason and many of our callings go unused because we simply are lazy, distracted or let life get the best of us. We settle.
I’m not published yet, but I’m not giving up. Never. I’m not going to settle either. If I believe God has called me to do this, if it’s right and good and if there is evidence that I have some skill in it, then it will happen.
I have to do what it takes. And actually get out my computer and write. And I didn’t pay too much for that writers conference. It was the single most useful thing I’ve learned in a long time.
What are you called to do? Are you having trouble fulfilling that calling?
Tags: calling, story, writers conference, writing
I think you hit the nail on the head…you have to keep at it. I myself have to keep at it with my journey to lose weight. I also have to keep with it when it comes to housework, keeping my marriage in a good/great place, etc. Thanks for reminding me to keep going….and not let the lazy bug get me.
same as you sweet friend. Just at an earlier stage and juggling a part time job along with it. Thank you for this encouragement!
That is the tug of my heart – called, but struggling to stay the course. I thank God for vision and purpose in my life and I’m trusting Him for the right seasons to do them all.
Sarah, I read your blog nearly every day, and I enjoy your style, and your authenticity. But no post has every hit me so directly as today! I am a singer/songwriter,(among my other roles!). But I don’t actually call myself that. I have recently completed a CD I successfully avoided making for a few years. Now comes the hard part. Telling people about it. I finally worked at the songs, did the recording (with some miraculous provision from God meeting me in my obedience), but I really struggle obeying in the sharing of the songs. “Promoting” it. But your sentence “I can call myself a writer and even write a whole book, but if I don’t let anyone know about it, if I’m not willing to be the best at my craft then it will go nowhere.” I’m not really obeying if I keep it to myself, am I?
Thanks for this today!
Help others, write, speak. I am pursuing them all. No matter how hard it is.
Sarah, I’ve written about what I am currently called to do on my blog. I’d love to have you visit.
http://jewelsightings.blogspot.com
I’ve been struggling with this for some time. Having been told I’ve missed my calling because I’m not yet published had me in a tailspin. Then I began to wonder if maybe being published should become my goal. Thankfully, God reminds me time and again that pleasing Him is my goal. Still, I can’t shake this feeling that publishing is a one day part of that…I’ve not been able to figure out what to do with that possibility. You’ve encouraged me so much today! Keep writing. I’m on it! Thanks!
victoria, you didn’t miss your calling. start NOW. that’s the beauty of God. he’s all about the second, the third and the millionth chance. i understand completely because i’ve wasted so much time in my life. =(
So glad I “happened” here today. Wonderful words of encouragement and challenge.
doing whatever it takes to get the job done. i have been thinking about this for a while. for me it means thinking long term and i am not so good at that!
There are so many things that I really want to do. And I procrastinate and don’t do the steps to get me there. There are 3 things. My marriage. My graphic design business. My weighloss/health issues. I am going to take steps today.
Thank you.
I have another writer friend with a blog. She too wants to be published and she’s really pretty good…. WHEN she actually writes. Her blog is sparse or empty for weeks at a time, followed by a brief “I We all know it’s difficult to be disciplined, but it pays off. Sarah, your writing shows such skill already and you keep getting better and better. I love that you post every day, even when I know how hard it is to take care of a home, a husband and two kids at the same time. Your diligence is paying off, and I am enjoying being a part of your journey. Step by step… keep writing
Such wisdom here – God’s calling always calls us out of our comfort zone into the great unknown. It’s terrifing, humbling,exhilarating – and it is life to our soul. Journey on, Sarah. He is pleased.
i have not been writing…on my blog or on my two stories that i started. I tell the stories to my kids, I imagine scenes in my head – yet I havent been writing. DID you look in my head to write this peace?
I needed this today. Ive often been told I need to write a book, but I dont feel like my writing is up to par, so when I get stuck…I just quit.
I also know the ministry my husband and I have together, but it seems like every time we get close to walking in it..something happens.
Bottom line…I lack discipline & motivation. This really encouraged me today
I can feel your determination, courage, and discipline in your words, and that, my friend, is what it’s all about.
Love it. I’m in the same writing boat and have to constantly remember if I want to do something great I actually have to DO.
Thx!
Thank you for sharing this bit of advice with us, wrapped in your own story here… I’m still sending mp3s to the publisher at Integrity Music. Don’t know what will come of it. I was thinking about him yesterday, somewhere amidst the beauty of the Shenandoah valley – wondering if I’ll hear from him again.
I guess I’ll just keep sending stuff.
I have to admit, it is always a pleasure to see a young, ambitious artist discuss her craft. It reminds me of me–actually, you and Mandy remind me of me–of the days I had that same insatiable artistic drive. It’s like looking in the rearview mirror, seeing a better road each time…especially since that time, for me, has passed.
So I kind of feel like Ben Kenobi in the original Star Wars: “I’m getting too old for this sort of thing.” Or Rocky in the sixth movie: “I’m better than the average bear.” Or my grandfather: “If you could sell experience, you’d be rich.” Or my father: “If I had a dime for every nickel, I’d have twice as much money…”
Well. You get the idea.
Hi Sarah,
A friend sent me your post knowing that I could relate. I too feel called to write but struggle with publishing (I’ve had one article published in 5 years…) I too have received similar advice at conferences: “The people who get published are the people who don’t quit.” It sounds so simple.
Other sage advice from someone successful who understood just how brutal the rejection can be: “Quit. If you can.” (I can’t.) More advice: “Follow the Lord.” (Joanna Weaver) and the secular sounding: “Go through the open door.” (Cecil Murphy).
The simplicity and tangibility of Cecil’s advice resonated with me. A few weeks after receiving it I was spontaneously offered a position teaching Theology to high school students. Okay, Lord, here I go…through the open door. Since I couldn’t bear to leave writing behind I started blogging about my experiences and I’m really enjoying it. God works in mysterious ways.
May the doors fly open for you!
Merry Christmas,
Allison Welch
This is my first visit to your blog, and this is the post I needed to read! Because I have been settling in a big way lately. I just don’t know if I have it in me to push harder. Thanks for the encouragement.
Teaching is a lot like writing…only we speak and share and convey essentials skills and thoughts to children who all too often don’t see the importance of it until long after they leave our classrooms. Teaching is something that takes practice, commitment and serious effort. The funny thing though is that I usually don’t think of it as work. See I was called to it by God along time ago and I knew that it would feel right, even when it wasn’t easy, because I answered the call. I don’t know why I listened, especially becaaue I was 16 at the time, but I did and I have managed to not lose my desire to be the classroom. This posting today reminded to always remember that I was called to do this, even when it is hard and frustrating, and the pay seems to not feel like enough.