In the midst of a pandemic where I’ve heard more about respirators than ever before in my life, Aspiration carries new connotations for me.
I think first of breathing, not of hopes or goals.
But, when it comes to writing, the two seem fittingly connected. Hope is to a writing career what breathing is to a body. It’s hope that carries us through.
As various diseases can threaten our physical breathing, writers face threats to their aspirations, to their hopes.
Because it is one such threat, disillusionment is one topic listed as a potential theme for those interested in submitting an Author Aspiration Tuesday post. (Did you know you can submit a post to be considered for Seriously Write? Find the guidelines here.)
I looked up that word, too. Disillusionment is when our hopes are disappointed by reality. Something isn’t as great as we thought it was.
Disillusionment about the publishing industry will knock the wind right out of a writer's desire to pen stories.
For me, it sets in most often after I hear a publishing professional take a stance I didn’t expect. They cite numbers that indicate it’s harder than I’d realized to get published or to sell books or to build an impressive platform. They talk candidly about the editing process and how it goes. They share an experience meant to educate writers, but I realize my own story mirrors the wrong moves in the cautionary tale.
It’s not that they set out to discourage. They set out, rightly, to inform.
But, the information, especially from a trusted source, leaves me gasping for hope.
The unavoidable reality is that publishing is a tough industry. To keep aspiring toward our goals, we must combat disillusionment.
So, how can we respond to realities that disappoint us?
First, look around to see if the "reality" is universally true, or if other respected professionals offer a different perspective.
Second, adjust when and where appropriate. If you determine the advice you heard was good and does apply to you, look for a way to apply it.
Third, remember that the industry is always changing. What seems to be universally true right now may not be true a year from now.
Lastly, know that there's a reality you can always count on to never change.
The love of God.
This is where the true comfort is, and yes, it deserved to be at the top of the list. But, I saved it for last so we could spend some extra time here.
Christian writer, if you’re gasping for hope in your writing career today, run to Jesus.
He is in control, not a statistic or an agent or an editor. (Try subbing those words in for chariots and horses below!)
Some trust in chariots and others in horses,
but we depend on the Lord our God.
Psalm 20:5, NET
He loves you dearly.
Therefore, be imitators of God as dearly loved children and live in love, just as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God.
Ephesians 5:1-2, NET
Anything is possible with Him.
Jesus looked at them and replied, “This is impossible for mere humans, but for God all things are possible.”
Matthew 19:26, NET
He has not led you to where you are in life to abandon you there.
“Due to your great compassion you did not abandon them in the wilderness. The pillar of cloud did not stop guiding them in the path by day, nor did the pillar of fire stop illuminating for them by night the path on which they should travel."
Nehemiah 9:19, NET
He is faithful.
For as the skies are high above the earth,
so his loyal love towers over his faithful followers.
Psalm 103:11, NET
He will not fail.
Then Job answered the Lord:
“I know that you can do all things;
no purpose of yours can be thwarted."
Job 42:1-2, NET
Let that sink in. He will. Not. Fail.
God is the one who breathes life. When facing disillusionment, He is the Great Physician who can revive our aspirations any day of the week.
The unavoidable reality is that publishing is a tough industry. To keep aspiring toward our goals, we must combat disillusionment. @emilyrconrad #amwriting #writingcommunity #seriouslywrite @MaryAFelkins
Christian writer, if you’re gasping for #hope in your #writing career today, run to Jesus. @emilyrconrad #seriouslywrite @MaryAFelkins
God is the one who breathes life. When facing disillusionment, He is the Great Physician who can revive our aspirations any day of the week. @emilyrconrad #seriouslywrite #writetip #faithwriter @MaryAFelkins
Photo credits
Woman blowing on dandelion photo by Nine Köpfer on Unsplash
And Breathe photo by Michelle on Unsplash
Psalm 150 Word Art photo by Nienke Broeksema on Unsplash
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Emily Conrad writes Christian romance and a blog to encourage women of faith. She lives in Wisconsin with her husband and two rescue dogs. She loves Jesus and enjoys road trips to the mountains, crafting stories, and drinking coffee. (It’s no coincidence her novel Justice is set mostly in a coffee shop!) She offers free short stories on her website and loves to connect with readers on social media.www.emilyconradauthor.com
Facebook.com/emilyconradauthor
Instagram.com/emilyrconrad
Twitter.com/emilyrconrad
JUSTICEThe love of a lifetime, a quest for justice, and redemption that can only be found by faith.
Jake thought he was meant to marry Brooklyn, but now she's pregnant, and he had nothing to do with it.
Brooklyn can’t bring herself to name the father as she wrestles with questions about what her pregnancy means and how it will affect her relationship with Jake.
If Harold Keen, the man who owns the bookstore across from Jake's coffee shop, has anything to do with it, the baby will ruin them both.
Can Jake and Brooklyn overcome the obstacles thrown in their path, and finally find the truth in God's love and in each other?
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