Think Differently About Your Writing

by Tammy Karasek @TickledPinkTam

There have been many conferences this year already. Maybe you’ve attended one or two yourself. We may be hearing about the successes of our fellow writers, while we may be hearing rejections. Or worse, no response at all. 

Whether you attend a conference to pitch your book, submit your writing piece or book to a place accepting submissions online, we could agree that our desired outcome if we are doing any of these things is to hear:

“Oh, yeah! This is the best story/article ever. We want this book/article from you and want to pay you top dollar. Who cares what your platform numbers are? Who cares if you even HAVE a platform? You’re just the next best writing thing that has come along.”

I say that with tongue in cheek, because I am, after all, a fiction writer like you might be, right? That scenario is not likely to happen unless we write that into a book.

But we sure can play the comparison game if we allow ourselves to go down that path. How did she get a deal, she just started writing and I’ve been slaving over writing for years? Why does he get every article published that he submits no matter where he submits it to?

What if we think differently about our writing and writing timelines though? More than likely we are writing because we felt God nudge us to do so. And if He has done that, He has gifted us with the talents of stringing words together to form understandable sentences. Maybe it’s not English Professor perfect, but we’re getting there. The message is clear, maybe not perfect grammar just yet. 

We need to continue to write the words that God gives us to spread the gospel where maybe someone may not expect. We as Christ followers and Christ writers can share about Him to a person who may never pick up a Bible, but they may pick up a book to read a good  story. God has us writing just where He wants us—for this moment. 

I’m reminded of Queen Esther. She needed to keep her identity a secret to protect her people. But her Uncle Mordi reminded her that while the work may be toilsome and somewhat scary, he positioned the question to her in Esther 4:14b “Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for such a time as this?” Or for us—made us writers for such a time as this.

We might ask, “How will my words get out there if God isn’t giving me a book deal?” Who told us God wanted us to have a book deal? Did God actually show us He wanted us to write a book to be published? Or could He be asking us to write the words He gave us and when He is ready, will place them where He wants them. Who knows where God wants our words to land. If we don’t get a book deal on our first pitch, should we throw in the towel and quit forever? I don’t think so. 

Instead of becoming discouraged because we haven’t landed that multi-million dollar book contract yet, maybe just take a breath. Don’t sit and wait for an answer on the one thing we pitched. Keep writing. Do the next project. 

And while we are moving forward, here are a couple thoughts:

What if we start thinking differently about those no answers we get. Instead of taking that no and let satan roll that one word into things like, “No way.” or “Who in the world told you that you could write?” or “Are you nuts, you won’t stick with this.”

I suggest we change how we view that No. 

Instead of No and a string of negativity behind that simple word, how about we change that thinking. What if when we hear No, we take that as No—not yet. 

God has us right where we are just like He had Queen Esther. We don’t see the why just like she didn’t. But let’s keep working the craft and learning all we can. Following this blog is great help in growing as a writer. 

Let’s be excited for the others as they get the long awaited Yes. One day that will be us and we’ll want to feel free to share without making someone else sad or angry. Let’s rejoice when others rejoice. Our time will come. 

Though the writing journey may not feel exciting at times, and we may have to stand up for Jesus in our writing pieces to non-believers, let’s remember what Peter was instructing to the Elders at the end of I Peter: 

“My purpose in writing is to encourage you and assure you that what you are experiencing is truly part of God’s grace for you. Stand firm in this grace.”                                                                                                       I Peter 5:12b (NLT)

I encourage each of you to stand firm in the grace of God and keep on writing for His glory, no matter what. 

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You’ll find Tammy seeing humor and causing laughter in every aspect of life. Her past, filled with bullying and criticism from family, is the driving force of her passion to always encourage others and give them The Reason to smile. She’s been married to her college sweetheart, Larry, for 37 years, a mom to their grown daughter, Kristen, and wrapped around the paw of a little dog named Hattie. Born and raised in Ohio, her family now resides in South Carolina. She is the President of Word Weavers Upstate SC, member of ACFW and My Book Therapy/Novel Academy. She’s the Blog Editor for Word Weavers International. A Conference Assistant for Blue Ridge Christian Writers Conference. A monthly contributor for The Write Conversation. A contributor in the 2018 Divine Moments Compilation Book—Cool-inary Moments. Also a regular contributor to several other blogs. 

Connect with Tammy: Blog: http://www.tammykarasek.com  Email: tickledpinktammy@gmail.com