It was a week ago my very first experience with a writer's conference was wrapping up. It was an amazing experience and was more than I could have hoped for. I went with two prayers on my heart. First of all, that God would validate for me that this was what I was supposed to be doing and second if so, the direction I should take with my finished novel. (I have been very indecisive on publishing options.) Those prayers were clearly and vividly answered for me leaving me without any doubts. I was and remain grateful and humbled by that. I learned a great deal about the industry I am entering. I met amazing people who have forged this journey before me, and met some who are navigating the same maze that I am. They were strangers on Friday, and Sunday some of us left friends. United by a passion for writing, having stories that compelled us, and the ultimate goal to glorify God in the process, we sat and soaked up the words pouring from the speakers' mouths. Like water from a fire hydrant, as one of them put it, there was a lot to take in. I have spent the last week processing a lot of it, editing some of my book, and formulating a plan to move forward. And move forward I will. There were many moments which stuck with me, and many bits of advice I am taking to heart. This, though, is a segment of what the director of the conference referred to as our 'Marching Orders." I wrote them in my journal as a reminder.
Not verbatim, but as best as I can remember, because I took no notes. I just sat and listened to her. I have taken the liberty to personalize the words by inserting the first-person pronoun to make it real. It went something like this:
I, as a writer, am not entitled. I am called, I am gifted, I am enabled by God to write. But, I am not entitled. No one is obligated in any way to print or publish my book, my devotional, or anything else I decide to submit to them. (my words here: no one is actually obligated to read them.) This does not mean that God did not call me to write. But my plan and His purpose may be different. His intention could be for my writing to be for me. Or for my family to read some day. Or for a very small audience. My part is not to know that, my part is to be obedient and to write as He gives me the words, as He leads. I then offer it open-handed to Him to use it as He deems to be perfect. I will write with purpose, diligence and grace. I will put in the work required of me and let Him be the master of the outcome.
I like those marching orders. It helped me with another assignment I received. Find your why. If anyone is wondering about that, read the paragraph above again. I get emails, ads and solicitations constantly regarding AI assistance for writing. And it goes beyond grammar and spell-check. I am hesitant to let artificial intelligence help me with plot holes and character development in my story. And the reason is my why. If I truly believe that my hands are tools of the Holy Spirit, and I am nothing more than conduit for Him to tell His story through me, then I will trust Him to lead me in what and how I write. He is my why. And even more than that, He is my how. That will forever humble me and leave me grateful beyond words. Well...maybe not beyond words.
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