“Because writing is work, work that must be done in God’s way if we want God’s blessing, it is important to periodically assess the way we approach our work as writers.” ~ Marlene Bagnull, Write His Answer: A Bible Study for Christian Writers

The writing profession is so competitive, we’re apt to run ahead of God to make our mark, lest we drown in a sea of rejection slips. Am I committed to Him and His plan for my life? Or am I striving to draw identity from getting published? If my identity is secure in Him, I’ll learn what it means to be content in all circumstances (Phil. 4:11), whether my writing is well-known or slightly obscure. The driven writer craves fame and success. He pushes himself into the limelight. According to Marlene Bagnull, this kind of writer “claims ownership of the words he writes and his career, rather than acknowledging the Lordship of Christ.”

We don’t have to force God’s hand in publication or compete with other writers. Royalty checks will come and go, but without Christ, we are nothing. As we surrender our agendas, He opens amazing doors of opportunities.

“For I know the plans I have for you…” ~ Jeremiah 29:11

“Indeed, the great paradox of the writer’s life is how much time he spends alone trying to connect with other people.” ~ Betsy Lerner, The Forest for the Trees: An Editor’s Advice to Writers

 Not so today. I’m headed out the door to spend time with my gals—daughter, granddaughter, daughter-in-law. “Open House” continues, so please make yourself at home! Thanks for all the wonderful feedback.

Some people have a romantic view of what the life of a writer is like. They think writers go out and sit by the sea with their notebook and pencil, muse awhile, write awhile, spread out the beach towel and tan awhile, muse awhile, write awhile, tear the ragged end off a loaf of French bread, smear it with a little Brie cheese, sip a little chardonnay, muse a while longer, write a while longer, and at the end of the day, savor what they’ve written like an after-dinner mint on a serene walk home.” ~ Ken Gire, Windows of the Soul

All I can say is, I wish.

Ken Gire is one of my favorite writers. Although he’s been writing a lot longer than I have, one thing we agree on—writing is mostly blue collar work. Never mind the carpal tunnel and back pain, writing whips me emotionally sometimes. According to Penelope Stokes, “Writing is tedious, exhausting work that drains not only the mind, but also the heart and soul. It can also be fullfilling and exhilarating, of course (otherwise, who would do this for a living?), but in the process, it demands a total concentration of the whole person.” What people don’t understand, she says, is that “five hours of writing can be equivalent to fourteen hours on a “real” job.”

Okay, I’m laughing now—like writing’s not a real job.

Search for the reason that bids you to write; find out whether it is spreading out its roots in the deepest places of your heart, acknowledge to yourself whether you would have to die if it were denied you to write.” ~ Rainer Maria Rilke, Letters to a Young Poet

Rilke speaks to all writers who struggle with the vocation of words. Madeleine L’Engle says there is no evading the fact that an artist yearns for success. We need to connect. If art is communication, then our work becomes stillborn if no one reads it. I think of Van Gogh who grieved that no one appreciated his work while he was still alive. “There may be a great fire in our soul, yet no one ever comes to warm himself at it, and the passers-by see only a wisp of smoke coming through the chimney, and go along their way.” But Van Gogh kept painting. He didn’t have to go out of his way to convey the burden of loneliness and pain.

Rilke says to know why we write. My reason hit me over the head years ago when God burned Habakkuk 2:2 into my heart: “Write my answer on a billboard, large and clear, so that anyone can read it at a glance and rush to tell others.” F. Scott Fitzgerald reminds me: You don’t write because you want to say something; you write because you’ve got something to say.”

Sooner or later I have to write or my heart grows restless. It’s hard to shake the call. God spurs me on to publication for reasons beyond the fleeting delight of recognition. I’m branded. I’m compelled. I’m His. And so I write to hold out hope for those who seem to have misplaced theirs. If only I could have given Van Gogh a little more hope.

Why do you write?

“We must be ready to allow ourselves to be interrupted by God. God will be constantly crossing our paths and canceling our plans by sending us people with claims and petitions. . . . It is part of the discipline of humility that we must not spare our hand where it can perform a service and that we do not assume that our schedule is our own to manage, but allow it to be arranged by God.” Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together

Thanks to Mary DeMuth for posting this great quote at RelevantBlog recently. Very convicting. I pray my writing would never become so all-consuming that I resist God’s interruptions. He gives the grace to write, yes, but my schedule is His.

Mary has a great series going on called Path to Publication that you won’t want to miss. While there, check out her book club giveaway and get a copy of her new book, Watching the Tree Limbs. Got my copy and will post a review in the weeks to come. Enjoy, and stay tuned!

“Mother’s Love” Contest - deadline May 1, 2006. Grand Prize Winner will receive a free copy of the book, From a Daughter’s Heart to Her Mom: 50 Reflections on Living Well — signed by the author. All runners-up will also be published in a special “Mother’s Love Essay Winners” post a few days after the contest. For more info, visit Heather at the Mom 2 Mom Connection.

“The Father’s Heart” Contest - deadline May 14, 2006. Winner receives $100 and will have story published in the June edition of Christian Women Online. For details, see Christian Women Online.