What to do When Your Writing Doesn't Bear Fruit

by Lori Hatcher @LoriHatcher2

If You Can’t Grow Tomatoes, Plant Zinnias

For years I tried to grow tomatoes. I planted them on the north side of my garden. I planted them on the south side. I planted them in pots. I even planted them along the fence line where my neighbor’s sprinkler would water them, with no success.

I’d begin each season excited and hopeful, and by July I’d be ripping out stunted, diseased, fruitless plants.

I expressed my frustration to one of my dental patients as we waited for the dentist to check his teeth.

“I’m giving up on tomatoes. I can’t afford to water them, and we don’t get enough rain for them to thrive. Every year I get my hopes up, and every year I’m disappointed.”

“Why don’t you plant zinnias?” he said.

“Zinnias?”

“Yes, zinnias. You can’t eat ‘em, but they’re beautiful. They love the sun and can hold up under the heat. And they don’t require much water.”

The next spring, I bought a packet of seeds, prepared the soil, and planted. Soon, tiny seedlings pushed through the ground. Before I could say, “Dead tomato,” they blossomed into a multi-colored patch of joy.

I picked bunches, shared them, and saved some seeds for the next year. When spring came, I ignored the tomato seedlings at the garden center and planted an even bigger patch of zinnias. This year, the colorful flowers fill my entire garden. I tuck them into mason jars and give them to friends and neighbors, anyone who needs a smile.

If you’ve read this far, you’re probably wondering, what in the world does this have to do with writing?

Everything.

My writing career began in journalism. I wrote feature articles for a local newspaper and later a regional magazine. When those avenues of publication dried up, I submitted Christian living articles to online and print publications. The pandemic caused several of my most reliable places of publication to go under, so I explored other options. 

One summer I wrote blog content for businesses and websites. I wrote pet sympathy cards for a greeting card line. Then I graduated to writing copy for human greeting cards (smile). When those opportunities ended, I researched something different. (Google is a wonderful thing. Check out this article about paid writing opportunities.)

As my patient suggested when my tomato crop failed, I took the skills and desire God gave me and redirected it. Instead of planting tomatoes, I planted zinnias. When I did, I learned new skills, made great writing connections, and added to my writing resume.

Perhaps you’re enjoying a bumper crop of writing fruit right now. I’m so glad. If you’re struggling, or if you haven’t yet found your writing sweet spot, why not set the tomatoes aside and plant zinnias? Or marigolds? Or Blue Lake pole beans?

You may find a change is just what you need to bear greater fruit in your writing journey.

Now it’s your turn. Do you have a story about how a writing “redirection” opened up a new area of writing? 

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What to do When Your Writing Doesn't Bear Fruit, tips from @LoriHatcher2 on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Lori Hatcher is an author, blogger, writing instructor, women’s ministry speaker, and career dental hygienist. She writes for Our Daily Bread, Guideposts, Revive Our Hearts, and Crosswalk.com. Lori’s latest devotional, Refresh Your Prayers, Uncommon Devotions to Restore Power and Praise, released March 1 with Our Daily Bread Publishing. Connect with her at www.LoriHatcher.com or on Facebook, Twitter(@lorihatcher2) or Pinterest (Hungry for God).