Moving Forward with Confidence on the Writer’s Journey

Guest post by Sally Cressman @SCressman

My husband and I hiked the trails of Acadia National Park in Maine a few years back. We’d walked in national parks before, but this was the first time we’d encountered cairns (pronounced kerns). Cairns are stones stacked by previous hikers to mark the trail route. As Drew and I are prone to getting lost, we rejoiced and continued confidently whenever we located one. We were on the right path.

Cairns are biblical. God told Joshua to remove twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan River and place them on shore (Joshua 4). The stack of rocks marked the physical evidence of God’s power and a testimony of His faithfulness.

As writers, we need cairns in our lives too. In this ebb and flow of writing, discouraging seasons can drag on. We can get stuck on that one manuscript, glance at another writer and grow jealous, or navigate the journey alone for too long.

If we stay vigilant, we’ll discover cairns along the way. A cairn could be as simple as a “good job” from a critique partner or an encouraging note from a fellow writer. A Bible verse catches your attention and tamps down your discouragement. Someone writes encouragement on your blog or Instagram post. Your local newspaper publishes your article, you win a writing award, or an agent or editor asks you to submit your manuscript. Look for these moments, then pause and celebrate. You’re not yet at your goal, but you’re moving forward. 

Lessons can be gleaned along each trail. You notice you’re further along than you thought or that you still have much to learn. You realize God put specific people in your path to encourage you, and you discover it helps to possess the right tools. For hiking, we needed water, bug spray, and snacks. Good hiking shoes were a must. Loose clothes kept us cool. A rain jacket provided a dry layer. For a writer, possessing the right tools might mean securing a mentor or joining a critique group that offers critical advice and wisdom. Writer conferences will gird you with tips, knowledge, and friends. Of course, every writer needs a good dictionary and a thesaurus. With these tools, you’ll grow in the craft, develop thick skin, and gain confidence.

My husband and I didn’t stop after one hike at Acadia. We tried another challenging trail at the national park, scrambling up rocks, using our hands. We’ve trekked to the depths of the Grand Canyon and back up to the rim. We’ve undertaken a mountain climb in Sedona, Arizona. Once you’ve tackled a writing skill, stretch those muscles and build on them. Study mentor texts. Try a different genre. Take another class. Acquiring new skills is like cross-training; it’ll make you stronger.

The dramatic vistas motivate a hiker. Although a trail can prove strenuous and exhausting, reaching the end boosts one’s confidence. You accomplished what you set out to do. You’re ready to try a longer, more challenging trail. It’s the same with writing. Once you publish that first piece, you’re motivated and confident to keep going.

I recently had a manuscript critiqued by my writing group. The reader choked up while reading my story. My words evoked a visceral reaction in another person. That’s a cairn, and it makes this writer want to keep writing.

Search for cairns on your writing journey. Stay focused on your goal, but be kind to yourself along the way, looking for God's reminders of His faithfulness and goodness—reminders that you’re on the right path and moving forward. 

What recent cairn has God sent you? What lessons have you learned on your writing journey?

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Moving Forward with Confidence on the Writer's Journey from @SCressman on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Sally Cressman is an award-winning author whose debut picture book will be published in March 2024 with Wren & Bear Books. She writes to celebrate faith, family, and home. Connect with her on Instagram, Facebook, or sallycressman.com.

Featured Image: Photo by Nicole Elliott on Unsplash