 |
| Dawn Klinge |
These past weeks and months, so many of us have been finding it difficult to focus on writing. Current events weigh heavily on our minds. Author Dawn Klinge understands, and she shares three tips for hanging in there and persevering. ~ Dawn
Advice for Writers on the Art of Holding On
Writing is a calling, not a choice.
The sentiment of being called to write seems to be nearly universal when I listen to other authors describe the reason behind what they do. My faith in God (and the belief this calling comes from Him) is what strengthens my resolve when the writing gets hard.
Have the changing circumstances in our world placed some extra challenges in front of your writing goals? I know I’ve been challenged. And I don’t know if I’ve ever felt more distracted from my work than I have over the past couple of months. There’s a lot of anxiety floating around right now, and I’m feeling it.
Did God call you to write? I’m guessing for many of you who are reading, the answer is yes. If so, the following words of encouragement are for you.
“Faith is the art of holding on to things in spite of your changing moods and circumstances.” -C.S. LewisWhen I first read this quote, I thought for some time about what specific things I need to hold on to and how I could apply to fulfill my calling as a writer who loves Jesus.
Here are three things I believe we all need to hold on to as writers during tough times: our why, how, and what.
1. Hold on to your why.
Remember your calling, and Who called you to it.
“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Phil. 1:6 (NIV)
2. Hold on to your how.
Maybe your circumstances have changed. Perhaps your former writing routine has been upended, and your house is no longer as quiet as it used to be. Flexibility might be necessary, yet despite those changes, figure out the essentials you in your writing life, and find a way to hold on to those things. For me, I’ve learned that my non-negotiables are: getting an early start (while my mind is fresh) and having word-count goals. Your how might be different, but what’s important is knowing what works for you.
3. Hold on to your what.
Do you have a clear picture of what you want to accomplish? Having a specific (attainable) result in mind, a way to measure if you’ve achieved it, along with a timeline in which to accomplish it, are all crucial factors to consider when setting writing goals.
The life of a Christian writer requires faith. It’s not always an easy life. But we have a calling and a purpose, which is a firm anchor. Hold on to that.
“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain.” Hebrews 6:19 (NIV)
Three things writers should hold on to during tough times. #seriouslywrite #encouragementforwriters via @dawnklinge
When writing becomes a challenge, hold on to your why, how, and what. #seriouslywrite #encouragementforwriters via @dawnklinge
 |
| Sorrento Girl |
It’s 1938, and Ann Brooks has big dreams of her new life as a Seattle College coed. She’s left the old-fashioned ways of her small country town behind to pursue higher education and a teaching career.
But not everyone is ready for change.
Society still preaches that a woman’s place is in the home. Some refuse to see Ann as an equal deserving of an education — let alone a career — and Ann's friends think school is simply a springboard to pursue a marriage of wealth and convenience.
When Ann meets Paul, an aspiring journalist with strong ideas of his own, she learns an unexpected lesson in courage and discovers what it really means to live her dreams.
Will Ann give up everything she thought she wanted for love? Or can she have it all?
Sorrento Girl, the first book in the Historic Hotels Collection, is Dawn’s first historical novel. It’s available on Amazon and at various other retailers.
Dawn Klinge is a writer of inspirational Christian faith non-fiction and romantic fiction. She believes: in the end, it's all a love story. Her debut novel, Sorrento Girl, is the first in the Historic Hotels Romance Collection.
Personal and historical accounts inspire her works of fiction. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, and she's a mother to two young adults, a daughter, and a son. She is a member of ACFW and the Northwest Christian Writer’s Association.
Connect with Dawn and learn more by visiting these online sites:
Website
Goodreads
