God’s Time Clock by Barbara Britton

I've said it before and I'll say it again, I'm a firm believer in God's perfect timing. Today, debut author Barbara Britton shares her experience with that perfect timing. -- Sandy

Barbara: In October, my debut novel released. It wasn’t the first novel that I wrote, it was my fourth. I had amassed over two-hundred rejections by the time Providence: Hannah’s Journey sold. Did I get discouraged along my nine year journey to publication? Of course, who wouldn’t? I had heard stories of how someone’s first book—a NaNoWriMo novel no less--got repped and published in a very nice deal. What about my stories? With every story of overnight success, there are countless stories of authors writing five, ten, or many more years, and remaining pre-published. It can be discouraging until a writer remembers who created life’s time clock.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 tells us “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.” The Biblical writer goes on to list activities. I like to list in my mind, a time to be published. I believe in God’s sovereignty and provision, and when I truly thought about it, I knew that I would not be published one day sooner, or one day later than God ordained.

Now, this doesn’t mean you can sit back and not write, or not learn about the business. We need to be diligent with the gifts God has given us, and trust in His timing. When I received my release date for Providence, I was discouraged because I had a fall release and I would have preferred a spring release. I know, petty right? But then I was diagnosed with breast cancer and I realized a spring release would be a disaster. I couldn’t launch a book during six weeks of radiation therapy. God’s timing was, and is, perfect. He knows the story of my life better than I do. He knows the big picture. He holds my future (Now the hymn is playing in my head).

We never know how God is going to use others in bringing about our “time.” I thought I would submit my work to agents, receive a request for a full, get “The Call” from a literary agent for representation, and away to editor submissions and publication I would go. I heard this was the way to get published. Right? Wrong. Everyone’s journey is unique. My path to publication started with an e-mail from a writer I knew who wondered if I was doing Pitch Wars. I had never heard of Pitch Wars. It sounded scary. Little did I know that Pitch Wars is a mentoring program for pre-published writers. I was chosen to be mentored, and my mentor “just happened” to take on an alternate who was an acquiring editor for Pelican Book Group—a Christian Fiction publisher. The rest they say is….a God thing.

Pray that God will open your eyes to His timing. We think we have it all figured out, but He will orchestrate your best journey. In His, and your, perfect season.

Care to share your experience with God's perfect timing---whether it's writing related on something else?

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Barbara M. Britton was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, but currently lives in Wisconsin and loves the snow—when it accumulates under three inches. She writes Christian Fiction for teens and adults. Barb has a nutrition degree from Baylor University but loves to dip healthy strawberries in chocolate. Barb kicks off her Tribes of Israel series in October with the release of “Providence: Hannah’s Journey.” Barb is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, Romance Writers of America and Wisconsin Romance Writers of America.

Even Though You're Not Published... by Susan Tuttle

Susan Tuttle

About two weeks ago Sherri Shackelford wrote this amazing post here titled Writing is My Job, Really. It was one of those posts where you nod your way through it, adding a moment of laughter or a “yes” along the way. When I finished I shared it on other social media sites because as a writer I completely agreed with her points. Then I heard the question, “But what about those of us who aren’t published yet? Is it still our job?” 

I can’t say the question was a surprise. In the back of my mind (and sometimes the front—just ask my husband) I wonder the same thing. Even while I was nodding my head with Sherri’s post, a little voice inside kept saying the same thing, “This doesn’t apply until you’re published.” 

Can we all just agree to squash that voice? We’ve all heard it. For some of us it might be louder, for others it’s a continued quiet whisper, but its impact is all the same. It undermines that which we are called to do. If we want to move forward in our writing career, it is going to take work. It’s going to be our job, even when we aren’t getting paid for it. And we’ll need to approach it as such if we want others to see it that way—and**spoiler alert**even when we do see it as a job, others still might not. 

But that’s all part of this writing life. We cannot change how those around us see our writing, we can only change how we approach it. The only guarantee? If you don’t take it serious, those around you won’t either. 

So map out a schedule. Put it in ink and stick to it. I’ve found there are days I can block off a few hours and days where I only find thirty minutes—whatever it is, claim it. Find a writing space; the library, coffee shop, or your bedroom with the door locked. Invest in books that will hone your writing craft, and spend time reading them and applying what you learn. Join a writer’s group or critique group to thicken your skin. Getting your work torn apart—no matter how constructively—is never fun but always helpful (and I like to think it prepares you for the inevitable bad review some day.) 

Bottom line? It doesn’t matter how others see your writing career—it is just that, a career. This is just one stage of it. It’s a long road to publication, but if you don’t start honing your craft and taking it seriously, you’ll never get there. And with every habit you create you’re only making yourself a better writer who will be that much more prepared when the day finally comes. 

Don’t give in. Don’t give up. And don’t call it a hobby—it’s your job, really.

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Susan Tuttle is a homeschooling mom of three who is crazy about coffee, dark chocolate, and words—both reading and writing them. Combine that love of words with her passion for leading women to a life-changing encounter with Christ, and you’ll find her crafting Inspirational Contemporary Romance stories laced with humor, love, and healing transformations. When not cheering on her Ironman hubby, chasing the family dog, or tackling complex math problems to teach her kids (yes, even the third grader), you can catch Susan at her blog, Steps.