Are you fervent about your writing?
In my ladies’ Bible study, we’re currently working through the book, Fervent, written by Priscilla Shirer. “Fervent” is an intriguing word, isn’t it? It’s not a word we’re used to hearing in everyday conversation. Most of the ladies in our group hadn’t heard of the word at all. Here’s the basic definition of fervent: “having or displaying a passionate intensity about something.”
I believe many of the principles Ms. Shirer outlines in the book about prayer can also apply to our writing. During these challenging days, it’s not unusual to be discouraged at times, but overall, do you consider yourself fervent about your writing? If you’re not sure, ponder the following checklist:
- After a time away, are you eager to return to your characters and their stories?
- Do you think about your current project as you go about your other daily activities?
- Do your eyes light up and does your pulse accelerate when you talk about your writing?
- Does receiving an encouraging note from a reader energize you to rush back to your WIP?
If you answered with a resounding yes! to any or all of the above, then ask yourself these questions:
- Are you teachable and willing to work on improving your craft?
- Are you willing to encourage other fellow authors in their writing journey?
- Are you willing to do tasks you might not particularly enjoy to be more visible and accessible to readers? Things like sending out a newsletter, marketing, advertising, interacting with readers through social media?
Here are some of my favorite quotes from Ms. Shirer’s book (and these are from the first few chapters):
Passion is the fuel in the engine of your purpose.
Passion is what keeps you moving in the direction your best intentions want you to go.
No matter how zealous you are about writing, especially as a Christian author laboring for God’s glory, there is an enemy who’d love nothing more than to steal your passion. Many in the secular world downplay or outright deny the existence of Satan. Believers, however, understand he is very real. But He’s not God. He is the “father of lies” (John 8:44) who loves nothing more than to steal your joy through sneaky tactics. The Enemy wants to dissuade and disarm you. He wants you passionless and powerless. He accomplishes this through guilt via discouragement and condemnation. For a writer, this could translate into a negative review, criticism, an unfair comparison, writer’s block, technological malfunctions, or by being pushed aside and ignored.
Stay strong and resist his schemes! Remember this: condemnation puts the focus on self but conviction encourages us and lifts us up, giving us hope by pointing to the grace and mercy of Christ. Embrace the Lord’s promises!
The next time you experience a “lull” in your spiritual fire, think of it this way: maybe you’re doing exactly what you’re supposed to be doing. If God stirred the passion inside you, then you need to trust Him to fan it into a flame. If you temporarily lose your zeal for writing, it doesn’t mean God isn’t there. In fact, it means He’s working to accomplish His perfect will through you—in His timing.
This is my final post for Seriously Write since this invaluable blog for Christian authors is closing its doors after many wonderful years. Thank you to Dawn Kinzer, Annette M. Irby, and the fabulous team for inviting me as a guest blogger. It has truly been my honor and privilege, and I wish them God’s richest blessings in all their future projects.
A final excellent thought from Fervent:
The presence of passion, faith, and belief in our hearts is a gift. It’s on loan to our souls.
Until His Nets Are Full,
Passion is the fuel in the engine of your purpose.
Passion is what keeps you moving in the direction your best intentions want you to go.
No matter how zealous you are about writing, especially as a Christian author laboring for God’s glory, there is an enemy who’d love nothing more than to steal your passion. Many in the secular world downplay or outright deny the existence of Satan. Believers, however, understand he is very real. But He’s not God. He is the “father of lies” (John 8:44) who loves nothing more than to steal your joy through sneaky tactics. The Enemy wants to dissuade and disarm you. He wants you passionless and powerless. He accomplishes this through guilt via discouragement and condemnation. For a writer, this could translate into a negative review, criticism, an unfair comparison, writer’s block, technological malfunctions, or by being pushed aside and ignored.
Stay strong and resist his schemes! Remember this: condemnation puts the focus on self but conviction encourages us and lifts us up, giving us hope by pointing to the grace and mercy of Christ. Embrace the Lord’s promises!
The next time you experience a “lull” in your spiritual fire, think of it this way: maybe you’re doing exactly what you’re supposed to be doing. If God stirred the passion inside you, then you need to trust Him to fan it into a flame. If you temporarily lose your zeal for writing, it doesn’t mean God isn’t there. In fact, it means He’s working to accomplish His perfect will through you—in His timing.
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. ~Romans 8:28 (NASB)
This is my final post for Seriously Write since this invaluable blog for Christian authors is closing its doors after many wonderful years. Thank you to Dawn Kinzer, Annette M. Irby, and the fabulous team for inviting me as a guest blogger. It has truly been my honor and privilege, and I wish them God’s richest blessings in all their future projects.
A final excellent thought from Fervent:
The presence of passion, faith, and belief in our hearts is a gift. It’s on loan to our souls.
Until His Nets Are Full,
JoAnn
Matthew 5:16
Are you fervent about your writing? If you’re not sure, here’s a checklist! #seriouslywrite #tipsforwriters via @Gr8tReads
When you experience a “lull” in your spiritual fire, maybe you're doing exactly what you’re supposed to be doing. God stirred the passion inside you, and you need to trust Him to fan it into a flame—in His timing. #seriouslywrite #encouragementforwriters via @Gr8tReads
If you temporarily lose your zeal for writing, it doesn’t mean God’s not there. In fact, it means He’s working to accomplish His perfect will through you. #seriouslywrite #encouragementforwriters via @Gr8tReads
Love on Assignment
Millcreek Christmas Series
Book 1
Lisbeth Lawrence never expected to be catapulted into a snowbank on a bitterly cold December night. Dazed and sprawled in the snow, she looks into the soulful eyes of the boy who’d stolen her heart ten years ago—he just didn’t know it. Rugged and more handsome than ever, he’s now a mystery man who travels the globe and turns up in town from time to time. The only person who knows the truth is one of Lisbeth’s physical therapy patients—and she’s not talking.
Miles Langston is close to personal and professional burnout when he’s given a unique assignment: go home to Millcreek, Connecticut, and regroup, recharge, and reconnect. What he didn’t plan on was accidentally sending a former classmate flying into a snowbank his first night back. “Lis” Lawrence, the quiet “good” girl with the prettiest eyes in school, has grown into a beauty who challenges his heart and mind from the get-go.
Brought together through their mutual love and care for his beloved grandmother, Miles and Lisbeth begin to experience miracles unfolding through the quiet good deeds of the “Millcreek Christmas Elf”…and in their own hearts. Can a man who rarely stays in one place for long find love and contentment with a woman firmly entrenched in little Millcreek?
Lisbeth Lawrence never expected to be catapulted into a snowbank on a bitterly cold December night. Dazed and sprawled in the snow, she looks into the soulful eyes of the boy who’d stolen her heart ten years ago—he just didn’t know it. Rugged and more handsome than ever, he’s now a mystery man who travels the globe and turns up in town from time to time. The only person who knows the truth is one of Lisbeth’s physical therapy patients—and she’s not talking.
Miles Langston is close to personal and professional burnout when he’s given a unique assignment: go home to Millcreek, Connecticut, and regroup, recharge, and reconnect. What he didn’t plan on was accidentally sending a former classmate flying into a snowbank his first night back. “Lis” Lawrence, the quiet “good” girl with the prettiest eyes in school, has grown into a beauty who challenges his heart and mind from the get-go.
Brought together through their mutual love and care for his beloved grandmother, Miles and Lisbeth begin to experience miracles unfolding through the quiet good deeds of the “Millcreek Christmas Elf”…and in their own hearts. Can a man who rarely stays in one place for long find love and contentment with a woman firmly entrenched in little Millcreek?
JoAnn also writes contemporary Christian romance under the pen name of Julianna Desmond. Releasing soon is her fourth title, Only A Kiss Away.
She lives with her family in her native southern Indiana and loves to hear from her readers!
Website: https://joanndurgin.com
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/JoAnn-Durgin/e/B004FELQDC
Facebook: www.facebook.com/authorjoanndurgin
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Gr8tReads
