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| Karen Barnett |
If you’ve ever struggled with envious feelings over someone
else’s success or felt overwhelmed with self-doubt, you’re not alone. Most of
us have been there at one time or another.
Author Karen Barnett opens up her heart and shares her personal experiences while on the road
to publication. Embrace her encouraging words.
~ Dawn
Overcoming
the Dark Side of Writing
Most writers hear voices. Friends worry when we mention
conversing with our characters, but if we were to be completely honest—those
aren’t the only mysterious voices we hear.
Whispers
of doubt. Murmurs of fear. Sighs of envy.
While I struggled through a period of waiting, I began to
wonder if I would ever be published. It became increasingly difficult to read
about friends signing contracts and winning awards. A bitter taste would spring
to my mouth at each Facebook announcement and I typed replies with stiff
fingers. “Congratulations. Happy for you.” I knew jealousy was harmful, but I
didn’t have the power to make it go away.
When I signed the contract for my debut novel, the initial
relief and excitement were eaten away by anxiety. What if the book doesn’t live up to my editor’s hopes? What if it
doesn’t sell?
How do we battle against these unseen forces? The only
defense is to shine God’s light into the dark places. Here are three steps I
take when I find myself struggling.
Pray
Rather than trying to fix the problem myself, I need to
remember to turn it over to the One who has all the power.
Confess
to trusted friends
Fears seem to fester when we hide them inside. Confession
helps put things in perspective and invites others to help.
Soak in
the scriptures
God’s word is food for our hearts. Let Him replace the
negative chatter with His voice.
Envy of
other writers
"Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life." (Galatians 6:4-5 MSG)
Fear
“Because we know that this extraordinary day is just ahead, we pray for you all the time—pray that our God will make you fit for what he’s called you to be, pray that he’ll fill your good ideas and acts of faith with his own energy so that it all amounts to something. If your life honors the name of Jesus, he will honor you. Grace is behind and through all of this, our God giving himself freely, the Master, Jesus Christ, giving himself freely.” (2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 MSG)
Doubt
Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4 NIV)
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine… (Ephesians 3:20 NIV)
If you really want to have fun, turn the tables on the
enemy. Take these dark voices and pour them back into your writing. It will
create a depth of emotion to entice your reader and perhaps even point her
toward God’s truth.
Remember, we’ve all found ourselves in dark places during
our journey to publication. I’m praying God’s voice will fill your ears and
your heart, and His light will shine through your words.
We'd love to hear from you ... Do you struggle with any emotions concerning your writing life? Is there a verse that's helped you through the dark times?
We'd love to hear from you ... Do you struggle with any emotions concerning your writing life? Is there a verse that's helped you through the dark times?
Tweetables:
Karen Barnett
shares three steps for overcoming the dark side of writing. Click to tweet.
Let God replace
negative inner chatter with His voice. Click to tweet.
If you really
want to have fun, turn the tables on the enemy. Click to tweet.
Since
booze and prohibition have made criminals out of every man in her world, Laurie
Burke resolves to find at least one honorable man to fill her life. Convinced
that handsome newcomer Daniel Shepherd is connected with her brother’s
rumrunning gang, Laurie quickly scratches his name off her list.
Daniel
has mixed feelings about returning to the dirty mill town of his youth, but
grudgingly agrees to manage his grandfather’s drug store until a replacement
can be found. The moment he meets Laurie on the windswept bluff overlooking the
beach, he knows that if he can earn her love, he might have a reason to stay.
But
when Laurie pushes him away--for none other than Federal Agent Samuel
Brown—Daniel wonders if Laurie really is the upstanding woman he thought her to
be. The Strait of Juan de Fuca, just off the beaches of Port Angeles,
Washington, was treacherous water for reckless rumrunners—and the agents who
tried to catch them. So when she realizes her brother is in danger, romance is
the last thing on Laurie's mind. Yet the people she believes she can trust, may
not be so honorable after all.
Karen Barnett
is the author of Mistaken and has
written several articles published by Guideposts
and other national magazines. Karen and her husband live in Albany, Oregon with
their two children and a host of fur-friends. For more information, visit her
website KarenBarnettBooks.com. Her second novel, Out of the Ruins, releases in May 2014.
To learn more and connect with Karen, please visit her here:
Website: http://www.KarenBarnettBooks.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KarenMBarnett
