Waiting, Writing, and Why You Must Not Quit by Cynthia Herron

On the first Wednesday of the new year, I like to run the most read Wednesday post of the year before. This one by Cynthia Herron is it. Enjoy! And we look forward to providing you with more writing tips and encouragement on 2020 Wednesdays! ~ Sandy

Most writers will tell you the in-between seasons are the hardest. I won’t sugarcoat it. They are.

Waiting (especially a prolonged season of waiting) is like a knife to the weary writer’s heart. As each hope-filled day passes, so does a tiny bit of our resolve.

We struggle to make sense of the “close, but no cigar” or “not quite there” feedback, while realizing, too, traditional publishing is evolving.

Our season of waiting may entail many dynamics. Maybe we need to refine our craft, work on character development, and eliminate POV bugs. Maybe we need to seek honest feedback from critique partners and mentors. Maybe we need to rethink our genre.

Then again—our season in the abyss may not have anything at all to do with our writing. Perhaps, it’s just not our time.

Of course, you’ve heard it before—the writing life isn’t for the faint of heart. That’s the G-Rated version.

And what about those uninformed souls who ask the tough questions and then add a footnote? Like this gem, instance.

“What on earth’s taking you so long? You’ve been at this forever!”

I have to shake my head.

No idea.

They. Really. Have. No. Idea.

It’s not just a matter of taking pen to paper or putting fingers to a keyboard. It’s not about writing the story. (Oh! If only!) It’s not about getting the agent. The publisher. The whatever.

Let’s get real.

It’s about the season. The timing. The God-ordained This is YOUR moment!

Yes, perhaps, there are things we, as writers, can do to hasten our moment.

• Read books on the writing craft 
• Join writing groups and attend conferences 
• Enlist mentors 
• Enlist critique partners (vastly different from beta readers) 
• Hire an editor 
• Write as much as we possibly can 

Those things make sense.

BUT when we’ve done all that and more, and God’s answer is still “Not yet,” we have no other alternative but to wait…and trust.

Trust that our writing ministry isn’t about us.

Trust that our story will still wait.

Trust that God sees the bigger picture.

Trust that He will bring our season to fruition.

Trust that we can’t quit now.

Why trust? Well, I’m so glad you asked!

• God can change circumstances in a heartbeat. 
• He can orchestrate happenstance into the here and now. 
• He can alter detours into divine appointments. 
• He can and does demonstrate deliberate turn-of-events in our favor. 

If you quit now, you’ll always wonder.

If you quit now, your stories may die, but the words won’t.

If you quit now, your human flesh might be appeased, but your soul will still ache.

Why?

Because your writer’s heart will still beat.

For that deeply intrinsic thing God’s gifted you with.

Your craft.

Write, dear writer, write!

Have you ever experienced a waiting season? If you’re in a season of waiting—be it writing related or something else—how are you staying proactive?

*This post originally appeared on Cynthia’s blog. 

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Is the sure thing worth risking for the possibility of maybe?

Charla Winthrop, a savvy business woman seeking a permanent lifestyle change in small-town Ruby, learns that things aren’t always what they appear when she takes up residence in a house steeped in charm and a hint of mystery.

Rumor has it that Sam Packard the town carpenter is her go-to guy for home remodeling, but can Charla convince him to help her—with no strings attached, of course? Alone far too long, Sam’s prayed that God would send him a wife and a mother for his daughters. However, the new Ruby resident is hardly what he imagined. A new place to call “home,” the possibility of what might be, and the answer to someone’s prayers unite this unlikely pair with the help of the town’s residents.

Nestled in the Ozarks’ hills and hollows is Ruby, Missouri, a quaint, cozy town where “neighbor” is merely another word for “friend.” Ruby will charm and delight as will her quirky, lovable characters who will steal your heart, but hand it right back—with whipped cream and a cherry on top. Savor your new friends’ sorrows and successes in the community where offbeat is perfect and mishaps and mayhem never tasted so good!

Cynthia writes Heartfelt, Homespun Fiction from the beautiful Ozark Mountains. Her Hope Discovered, her début novel and the first in a three-book series, released December 2018 with Mountain Brook Ink. She is a 2017 ACFW Genesis Finalist, a 2016 ACFW Genesis (Double) Finalist, and a 2015 ACFW First Impressions winner. Her work is represented by WordServe Literary.

Cindy loves to connect with friends at her online home. She also hangs out on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram. For love, fun, and encouragement ~ Sign up for Cindy’s monthly e-NEWSLETTERS.

Purchase Her Hope Discovered from your favorite retailer: Amazon | Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble | Books-A-Million

Three Obstacles of In-Between Places by Shana Schutte

Shana Schutte

Waiting seasons are familiar to writers, aren't they? We wait for different reasons—contest entries, submissions to agents and editors. Maybe we're waiting to hear back from a critique partner, sort of holding our breath to hear what she'll say. Then there are other waiting times—seasons of change or transition. Please welcome Shana Schutte back to Seriously Write today as she shares some strategies for getting you through those transitional moments. Enjoy! ~ Annette

Three Obstacles of In-Between Places

by Shana Schutte

Life is filled with beginnings, endings, and in-between places. Whether you are a teacher, doctor, or writer, you experience an in-between place at some time in life.

In-between places are when you have let go of the old, and you are deconstructing some aspect of your old life or calling, but you haven’t yet received the new thing God has for you.

In-between places are transitional in nature and they can be confusing. If you find yourself in an in-between place in your life or how you are serving God, here are three common obstacles.

1) Unbelief About God’s Work

Sometimes we think God isn't at work because He isn't working the way we want. When He doesn’t move in the areas we desire, we may believe the lie that He has forgotten us. Our expectations can blind us. In reality, He may just be trying to get us to shift our focus off the old to the new.

2) Regret

After God has removed the "old thing" in our lives, and we are in our in-between place, if we don't believe that God is at work, in despair, like the Israelites, we may want to go back to our own personal Egypt. In Isaiah 43:18, God says, "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past." Oh, boy, can this be hard when we are in-between and longing for comfort! It's at these moments, that we have to make a conscious effort to believe God.

3) Striving

Remember that when you are in an in-between place, it's not your job to figure out how God will get you to your new thing; it's your job to trust Him.

Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and He will direct your paths."

There is nothing like the discomfort of an in-between place to cause me to want to figure it all out so the discomfort of my transition with vanish. For analytical types, controllers, or those of us who always like to have our ducks lined up, being in an in-between place can feel like torture!

According to Proverbs 3:5-6, God doesn't expect you to figure out how to get to your new thing; He just wants you to trust Him. I had someone once tell me, "It's not your job to get yourself to your destiny; it's God's." I believe this is a great word for in-between places.

When you are in an in-between place, believe God is at work, look ahead to the future even if you wonder if you should be in your in-between place, and trust that He will get you to your new thing.

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Betrayed by God?

Shana Schutte is an author and popular speaker. A former editor for Focus on the Family, she has been published by Today’s Christian Woman; Focus on the Family’s flagship magazine, FamilyLife; Mission of Mercy; Clubhouse Jr., At the Center; and Focus on the Family’s website; family.org, and others. Shana is the founder of Beyond Imagination, an organization dedicated to helping people find answers for everyday problems through biblical truths. Her nationwide radio program airs daily on over 400 Christian stations. She also leads seminars across the country. Shana's new book, Betrayed by God? Making Sense of Your Expectations, was written from Shana's personal experience and her many journal entries.

Taking Advantage of Waiting Periods

How much waiting is there in a writer’s life?

There are plenty of active phases in a writer’s life. We study craft. We sit down to write. We gather with fellow writers for critique. We attend conferences and pitch our stories. 

And then we send out queries, proposals, or manuscripts. 

Enter, the waiting period. 

I’m in a waiting period. I sent off my manuscript and am awaiting feedback. By the time this posts, I may have it, but I know there will always come another waiting period. 

What do you do with your waiting seasons? 

I’ve had a hard time concentrating on any other projects in the last couple of weeks. I’m preoccupied in the waiting. Wondering what the feedback will be and praying about what to work on next. But I’m not feeling especially creative. And for this SOTP (seat-of-the-pants) writer, creativity is a necessity. (Not to say that if I’m under deadline I can’t coerce some creative spark; deadlines bring out the best in us, don’t they?) 

So, while I await word, how should I use my time? Consider these ideas next time you’re between creative writing frenzies (high output seasons):

* Pray. Do you know where you’re going from here? Have you heard from the Lord about what’s next? Downtimes (waiting periods) are perfect opportunities to pray about the future.

* Rest. Racing headlong toward deadlines is exhausting, both physically and mentally (and even emotionally). You’ve been forcing yourself past feelings of exhaustion just so you could meet your deadline. Now, you don’t have to drive yourself so hard. Rest. Refuel. Another creative frenzy is likely just around the corner, and you’ll need rest to ward off burnout.

* Study writing craft. This never goes out of season. In fact, deadlines can motivate us to study as we realize there are holes in our story. (Note: Sometimes I don’t even know what’s missing, I just know the story is missing something. At those times I prayerfully dig into craft study, and God faithfully gives me what I need.) 

* Read. Read more books in your genre. Study up on what’s current. Watch movies. This is part of refueling your creativity as well, and now’s the time. (Since you probably haven’t had time while aiming for that deadline.)

* If you can write, write. If the words, the story ideas, are coming, take advantage of them. Writing gives us experience nothing less provides. And there may soon be a larger demand on your work. (i.e. your publisher wants to discuss Book Two, or your agent wants to see your next project)

And know this about waiting seasons, we writers are right there with you. Chances are most of the writers in your circle are also waiting on something or other. Let's cheer each other on!