by DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills
Do you ever wonder if you’re all alone in your pursuit of publication?
Has anyone ever posed those questions to you? If not, let me give you
a little advice taken from the ups and downs of the life of our friend
Zaccheus.
1. Zaccheus made a decision.
When Zaccheus learned Jesus was coming to his village, he made a
conscious decision to see Him. No doubt he’d heard all the hype about this man
who healed the sick and raised the dead. As a tax collector, Zaccheus might
have questioned if Jesus paid his taxes. Surely He didn’t go about conducting
miracles without getting paid.
Lesson for Writers
If writing is a passion that refuses to let you go, then make the
decision to be a success. Make a serious investment in your career. Writers
can’t perform miracles, but they can entertain, inspire, and encourage readers.
2. Zaccheus needed a plan to be successful.
Many people would be shoving through the crowds to find Jesus.
Zaccheus had lots of questions, but a huge problem shot into his decision to
see Him. A matter of height. Zaccheus was short in stature, and he’d always
been the brunt of teasing. Two things went against his plan: his profession as
a tax collector and his inability to see over a child’s level. He learned the
path Jesus would take. While walking it, he discovered a tree with low
branches. He would climb the tree and have an advantageous view.
Lesson for Writers
We need a plan to have our work eventually recognized. Be a diligent
planner—from learning and practicing the craft, marketing and promotion, and on
to living the life of a professional writer.
3. Zaccheus didn’t know how far to climb.
On the day of Jesus’ visit, Zaccheus glanced up into the tree and saw
the utmost branches. Before others arrived and ridiculed him, he climbed the
tree, going higher and higher. Fear settled into his heart, but finally he
perched on a limb that was the perfect spot. He’d be the first person to see
Jesus’ arrival from afar off.
Lesson for Writers
Some writers are thrilled with the publication of one book. Their
dreams are fulfilled, and they are satisfied with the effort to accomplish it.
Other writers choose to write and publish until they breathe their last breath.
If one book is all you ever want, great! But if you decide to write another and
then another, don’t be afraid of the climb.
4. Zaccheus reached his heart’s desire.
Contentment settled on Zaccheus. A quarter mile down the road, Jesus
and His disciples slowly made their way toward him. When Jesus stood beneath
the tree, he looked up at Zaccheus. “I’d like to visit your house today,” Jesus
said. “We can talk. What’s for dinner?” The story doesn’t end there; Zaccheus
became a follower of Jesus, leaving his past behind him.
Lesson for Writers
Obedience to God always brings more rewards than we ever imagined.
Communicating through the written word is a gift to treasure and give to
others. Watch for unexpected blessings!
Are you ready to
climb that tree?
TWEETABLES
#Writing a Novel can require us to go out on a limb - thoughts about Zaccheus from @DiAnnMills (Click to Tweet)
How far are You Willing to Extend Yourself to #Write a Novel? Insight from @DiAnnMills on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
TWEETABLES
#Writing a Novel can require us to go out on a limb - thoughts about Zaccheus from @DiAnnMills (Click to Tweet)
How far are You Willing to Extend Yourself to #Write a Novel? Insight from @DiAnnMills on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She combines unforgettable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels.
Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests. Library Journal presented her with a Best Books 2014: Genre Fiction award in the Christian Fiction category for Firewall.
DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers; the 2015 president of the Romance Writers of America’s Faith, Hope, & Love chapter; a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, and International Thriller Writers. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.
DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on any of the social media platforms listed at www.diannmills.com.
The click to tweets are not working. Diann Thank you for this. Being obedient writers is what it is all about. May God bless you as you continue writing for Him
ReplyDeleteThank you, Diann. We all need to be reminded that writing is fun, but also hard work.
ReplyDeleteCherrilynn, you can copy and paste the Tweets, and they'll work.
Thank you, Bruce! If we don't make it fun, then we lose our passion for the craft.
DeleteDiAnn, thank you for this insightful analogy. Each lesson is important to learn.
ReplyDeleteI wanted this to be fun with a punch in the heart. :)
DeleteWorking on getting that tweet to work! Thanks for bringing it to my attention.
ReplyDeleteMy personal devotion this morning was Zaccheus. I take this God-incidence as a thump on the back to get moving beyond my blog. Thanks for the word of encouragement, and your meaningful stories.
ReplyDeleteWe all need encouragement - and support.
DeleteWhat great insight and inspiration. Thank you for this, DiAnn!
ReplyDeleteGreat post, DiAnn. Thanks! :)
ReplyDeleteGreat post, DiAnn. I write Bible studies, not novels, but these tips apply to all writers. I almost missed the blessing because I often bypass posts about only novel writing. I'm glad God prompted to read it.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sherry.
Delete