Writing Lessons I’ve Learned from Cancer

by Bruce Brady @BDBrady007

Cancer has its ups and downs.

Fortunately, my dependence on God has made the downs less deep and short in duration.

Wait! I’m glad God is keeping you out of the pits. But seriously? Cancer has ups?

I know it’s hard to believe, but…yes.

Recently I’ve expressed what I believe to be God’s cry for us to write without including profanity, graphic violence, and explicit sex. He’s made it clear to me that their use is a quick fix to avoid investing more time and thought into ways of expressing frustration, anger, and physical intimacy. There are better ways that allow our readers to engage their imaginations. And honor God with our writing.

This thought process arose from my daily conversations with the Lord—conversations that opened my eyes to the benefits of many life experiences we classify as negatives.

What does this have to do with cancer?

I’m glad you asked.

Seventeen months ago, I was diagnosed with Stage IV, aggressive, incurable cancer, and told it would kill me in two years or less. Big down.

There are times in our writing process when we
get the wind knocked out of us.

There are times in our writing process when we get the wind knocked out of us. We work and rework our manuscripts until we’re sure they’re perfect only to have an agent, editor, or trusted critic tell us it’s not ready, or worse—hopeless. Also a big down.

While the cancer news was a huge bummer, it forced me to reassess my life. My purpose. I cried out to God and He focused my thoughts on the important rather than the urgent. I needed to ensure my wife and family weren’t left with unfinished business that should have been handled before my departure. My short life expectancy compelled me to look long and hard at the influence I have on others. For better or worse, we all influence others. And the Holy Spirit had long conversations with me about honoring the Lord.

This unpleasant process was sobering but needed. Many good things resulted. A big up.

Being rejected by respected critics can be just as painful as the news I received. And just as good. If we take those rejections as calls to action—and we should—good will come from them. Rejections aren’t personal. What we do doesn’t define us. So when those we trust say our writing isn’t what it should or could be, go to God. Yes, we’ll probably spend a little time in the well of despair, but the Lord will pull us out and give us the direction we need. In the end, things will be better. No matter how bad they seem.

Eight months after my initial diagnosis, my cancer had gone from extremely aggressive to nearly gone. I was on an emotional high—death wasn’t eminent. I would live at least another decade. And I kept my focus on the important, and have received innumerable blessings. More ups.

Having done the hard work of rewriting—again and again if necessary—we can present our revised masterpieces for acceptance. Sometimes we’ll succeed. Sometimes we’ll be advised to seek other ideas or avenues. Either way, the process will make us better writers. And we can turn the noes turn to yeses.

Nine months of riding my near complete remission high, Big C’s aggression returned with a vengeance. It dealt a crushing blow that plunged me into the deepest depression I’ve known. The enemy pointed out every ache and pain, assured me I’d be lucky to live a few more weeks—at best. He relentlessly encouraged me to give up writing. Reminding me it takes a couple of years to get published and I wouldn’t live long enough to see that happen. Visions of my family mourning over my remains filled my head.

My self-pity only lasted a few hours before God, as He always does, broke through and pulled me out of my pit, restoring my joy, despite my declining medical condition.

The enemy will reach out to all of us with reasons we should give up. Either directly or through others, he’ll try to convince us we’re not talented enough, or don’t have the necessary education. He’ll tell us we’re too old, too young, too sick, or too busy to write. He’ll present myriad reasons why we should just give up. These are the times when we need to stop feeling sorry for ourselves and reach out to the Lord. And when we do, He will restore our hope.

Like cancer, our enemy respects all people. No matter our color or race. Regardless of our political or spiritual beliefs. He does not reserve his lies for some and shun others. He lurks in the darkness, looking for a chance to move into our lives.

When he visits you, turn to the Creator and who will shine the light of truth in that darkness. Let Him express His love for you. Let Him bathe you in peace and joy. Let Him turn your downs into ups.

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Bruce Brady is an author, writer and playwright. His work has appeared in Focus on the Family’s Thriving Family, www.ChristianDevotions.us, and on stage. Currently, Bruce is working on a Young Adult Novel about a boy who must deal with the death of his dad, being bullied, and helping his mom through her grief. His first five pages took third place in the ACFW South Carolina Chapter’s “First Five Pages” contest.

When he’s not writing, Bruce spends time learning from and helping other writers. He serves as Mentor of Word Weavers International’s Online Chapter, and as a member of Cross ‘N’ Pens, The Writer’s Plot, ACFW’s National and South Carolina Chapters.

“My dream is to entertain my readers and give them hope as they travel the rocky road of life.”