When It’s Time to Let Go by Sally Shupe

We know it’s hard to let go. Hard to let go of how we do things, because we’ve always done them that way. Or, hard to let go of those few extra pounds we’re always trying to lose. Or, hard to go in one direction when we’ve gone so far in another direction. As I write this, I am learning to let go of my son. He got engaged over Christmas and is leaving home to move to Florida. 10 ½ hours away. We’re packing up today and driving down with him and his fiancé in the morning. But, by letting go of him, I get something in return. A soon to be daughter in law! And a chance to see a state I haven’t been to before. One that is much warmer than it is where I am right now, as an extra incentive. As I thought about this, writing came to mind.

Do you have a story that is just not quite working? Are the characters being more obstinate than usual? Not talking to you, or the scene is not working out? Have you received feedback that goes against what you thought your story would be? Maybe it needs to be let go. Could the story take place in the city instead of the country? Could the hero be a surfer instead of a snowboarder? (Someone had asked my son if he was trading in his snowboard for a surfboard. He said no, in case you’re interested lol.) Could it become a suspense instead of a sweet romance? Or maybe your editor or agent has requested changes. Do you find it hard to follow their directions and let certain aspects of your story go? How do you handle letting go of a story that you’ve worked so hard on?

Just as it’s hard for me letting my baby boy go, it’s just as hard to let a story go. One that we’ve worked on for a long time. We’ve gotten close to the characters. Watched the characters, and the story, grow from an idea, to chapters, to maybe even a completed story. But do you know what you get when you let certain things go? A better story! One that resonates with more people. One that is stronger.

Step back from your story and see it from all angles. Could your story benefit from letting go? Only you know the answer to this question. It may end up looking drastically different. It may take lots more work to get it where it needs to be. But we’re writers. Writing is what we do. Once you’ve looked it over, studied the feedback from editors, agents, or beta readers, dissect the story and see if what they’ve suggested makes sense. If it does, your story just may benefit from letting go!

Are you struggling with letting certain aspects of your story go? Or, have you had to let a story go? Please share how you handled it so we can all learn, and know we’re not alone. We can encourage one another along this journey.

How do you handle letting go of a story that you’ve worked so hard on? @SallyShupe1 #amwriting #writetip #seriouslywrite

Sally Shupe lives in southwest Virginia with her husband, two grown kids, and a whole bunch of pets: five dogs, three cats, a rabbit, and birds at the birdfeeder (and the mandatory snowman when the snow cooperates). She writes contemporary Christian romance, with two completed manuscripts and others in progress. They are part of a series located in small town Virginia.

When Sally’s not writing or working full-time, she is a freelance editor for several authors who write fiction and nonfiction; students working on dissertation papers; a copy editor for Desert Breeze (now closed); a content editor for Prism (became part of Pelican); performs beta reading for various authors; publishes book reviews on her blog and with Valley Business FRONT’s monthly magazine; is a member of ACFW and ACFW Virginia; and loves genealogy, running, and crocheting.

Sally uses her love of words to write about God’s amazing love.

When It’s Time to Move On by Virginia Smith

Virginia Smith

At last month’s critique group meeting we read a chapter by a gal who’s been revising her first novel for a couple of years. The first man to give feedback asked, “Haven’t we seen this chapter before?” The writer replied, “A couple of times, but it was rejected again and I need to know what’s wrong so I can fix it.” He smiled rather benignly and told her, “You’ve polished it so much I need sunglasses to read it.”

We all laughed, but as we went around the circle (passing an egg timer to the next speaker in true Lord of the Flies fashion), I knew exactly how the author felt. I’ve been there. Why wasn’t my story good enough? Did passive verbs still lurk in the narrative, hidden from me but flashing like ugly beacons to a seasoned editor’s eye? What could I do to make it better?

Before my first publication I wrote a novel that was dear to my heart, and I wanted so badly for that story to become my first published book. I agonized over every sentence, rejoiced over positive comments from friends, family, and critique partners, went through countless revisions, and produced draft after draft, each better than the last. But the book went the rounds of the publishers and collected a stack of rejection letters. Finally a trusted friend told me, “Lay it down. It’s time to move on.”

That was the best advice I’d ever received. Regretfully—a little fearfully—I laid my baby aside and moved on to another story. That second story was Just As I Am, the one that launched my publishing career. As I wrote I discovered a couple of things about myself. First, I was a much better first draft writer than before. Apparently I’d learned a few things over the years. Next, my second story took on a sparkle the first one lacked. I think all that polishing had dulled the life right out of it. I needed a fresh start, with new characters and renewed energy.

Most importantly, I learned that nothing ever goes to waste in the Lord’s economy. If we dedicate our efforts to Him, He will use everything for His purpose eventually. That truth was made clear to me just this month, with the release of my twenty-second novel. Guess which book it is? Yep. The Days of Noah was written years before Just As I Am. God taught me a few things in the course of writing twenty-one books, so this time when I pulled out my polishing cloth I was able to restore the original shine and beauty of the story. I can’t tell you how awesome it feels to finally hold this beautiful baby in my hands.

What advice did I give to my critique buddy when the egg timer passed to me? “This is beautiful, but it’s time to move on. How about writing something new?” I can’t wait to see what she brings to the next meeting.

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About the Author

Days of Noah
by Virginia Smith

About Virginia Smith
Virginia Smith is the bestselling author of over twenty novels and more than fifty articles and short stories. An avid reader with eclectic tastes in fiction, Ginny writes in a variety of styles, from lighthearted relationship stories to breath-snatching suspense. She is the recipient of two Holt Medallion Awards of Merit (A Daughter’s Legacy in 2011, and Dangerous Impostor in 2013.) Visit her on the web at www.virginiasmith.org and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ginny.p.smith.

The Days of Noah
Belief in the One God is dangerous in Cainlan, a city founded on the worship of the god Cain. But when the daughter of a pagan priestess meets the son of a religious fanatic she is drawn to Shem’s caring manner and deep faith. Eliana believes his assertion that the One God will wipe the earth clean of the corruption that fills it, especially when she discovers a terrifying secret known only to those high in the government’s ruling council. Though desperate to escape her destiny, Eliana’s life has been preordained. Not even Shem’s God can rescue her from the fate for which she was born – becoming the next high priestess to Cain.

Links to Purchase:
Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1937671119/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1937671119&linkCode=as2&tag=nexstecri-20

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-days-of-noah-virginia-smith/1116477261?ean=9781937671112

Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/the-days-of-noah-1

Creative Best Series: Four

Annette M. Irby

We’re building on our study of Galatians 6:4-5 in the Message Bible. Today let’s consider the third line:

Make a careful exploration of who you are

and the work you have been given

and then sink yourself into that

It’s time to lose yourself in your calling. Once you know what you’re called to do, God gives you permission to lose yourself in that calling. To become immersed. Learn everything you need to learn. Commit to being successful. Put aside things that might hinder your full pursuit.

Pruning.

God has often pruned me—led me to cut back on areas that weren’t profitable in my life. He is determined that my time be used wisely. And He knows if I am stretching my limbs to work on too many things at once I will be moderately helpful in those areas, but never truly over-the-top successful at any one of them. Those seasons are about prioritizing, even at the risk of other people’s disapproval. But when God begins pruning your activities, it’s best to learn how to humbly say no to those asking you to take on more and get back to what’s highest on His priority list for you.

So what can stop you from sinking yourself into your calling?

Doubt. “I thought I knew how to write. Judging by this chapter, I was wrong!”

Accusations. Setting up materials at a book signing with a fellow author who is bestselling and award-winning, thoughts come: “Who do you think you are?”

Fear. Not just fear of failure, but fear of success. There’s comfort in the familiarity of anonymity. What happens if we succeed? Our books become bestsellers and suddenly there is a greater demand on our time? More visibility?

Let go.

God knows your dreams. He called you. He knows what you need. In fact, the closer you’ve gotten to the Lord, the more His aspirations for your life have become your own (Psalm 37:4). Let go of your own hold and let yourself sink into His perfect plan. Let go of control and striving. To turn our analogy a bit, did you know that the best way to float on water is to let go? You go limp, letting your legs rise. If you strive to float, you’ll tighten up and sink. So, to get where you want to go, let go. Give your dreams, your calling, your writing to God. Let Him make of it what He will. Let yourself sink into His plans. Don’t panic. Just relax into God’s purposes.

Give yourself permission to sink into the calling, the work, God has given you. No more excuses. And no more guilt.

Be your creative best!

~~~~~

Jordan Ambrose is looking for passion. From her husband. And, as Randy Ambrose will tell you-she's great at pushing his buttons. The problem? He's hiding out from intense emotions, like passion. So their love life is lackluster. Well, except for those letters. 

Jordan discovered a box of love letters in her husband's home office closet. Why doesn't he act like the "R" from the letters, so clearly written to "J"? If she can drag him away from his writing desk, they can talk about it. But will Randy stop hiding and love with abandon?

This series first appeared on Seriously Write in 2009.