Adventuring in Utah Gave Me Insight into Important Writing Truths: 6 Things I learned about Writing at Capitol Reef

by Lynn H. Blackburn @LynnHBlackburn

Capitol Reef National Park is tucked between its more famous neighbors—Zion and Bryce to the West, Arches and Canyonlands to the East. It’s smaller, more niche, if you will, and often bypassed by travelers in a time crunch. 

But, y’all! This is a mistake! Capitol Reef is one of my all-time favorites!

We had two days at Capitol Reef, and as we planned the trip, I came across reviews for a backcountry 4x4 adventure to Cathedral Valley to see the Temples of the Sun and Moon. I was intrigued, but there were significant obstacles. They were located in a remote area and required the right vehicle to reach them. Not to mention that if we said yes to the tour, we’d be saying no to other things. After some discussion and further research, we decided to proceed. 

Y’all. I have no regrets. That afternoon became a highlight of our trip. I felt like I’d gotten to pull back the curtain and see something few others ever see. I stood beneath the rocks, and I was in awe of our Creator. I couldn’t stop thinking that those rocks have been there, silently worshipping God for thousands of years.

As I pondered the view, it reminded me of something only we writers know—when you’re willing to commit, invest the time and energy, and yes, take a few risks, the reward is an experience few will ever have. 

The 1% Experience

The area around Capitol Reef is so isolated that, although we know there were indigenous people there at one time (thanks to some cool petroglyphs), it’s believed they left the area sometime around 1300 AD. There hadn’t been a permanent settlement there in over 500 years when the first Mormon pioneers made their homes there in the late 1800s.

The extreme “out of the way” aspect of Capitol Reef is part of what has kept it from becoming as popular as many of the other national parks in the area. According to our guide, the Cathedral Valley is visited by only 1% of park visitors. Why? The only way to reach the Temples of Sun and Moon is to traverse 15+ miles of dirt roads that require a 4-wheel drive vehicle and extra high clearance. 

Most people don’t have those vehicles. Some people don’t want to drive a couple of hours on dirt roads, bumping along with sand everywhere, so that they can see some rocks. 

I get it. It isn’t for everyone. 

But they’re really cool rocks…

You can see where I’m going with this, right? 

Not everyone wants to write a book, a poem, a screenplay, or a memoir. They have zero interest in ever doing that. It’s a hard pass.

However, many people claim they want to write. They’ll say things like, “If I had time, I’d love to write a book.” Or, “Maybe when I retire I’ll finally write that story.” They may have great ideas, but they lack the passion and drive to undertake the necessary work to make them happen. 

Only a small percentage of people will ever write a book. Those who do know that they need several things.

Writing a Book Requires 6 Things From Us

1. Time. Just like it took time for us to see the temples, committing to the writing life means carving out the time. No one is going to give you the time. 

2. Commitment. Saying yes to writing means saying no to other things. You need to keep that in mind on the days when you really, really want to relax, but instead, you’re working on your manuscript. 

3. Effort. Going to see the 1% of places isn’t something you accidentally fall into. Neither is writing a book. I’ve never met anyone who woke up one day and discovered a manuscript, edited and formatted to perfection, sitting on their desktop just waiting for them to send it to an editor. It doesn’t work that way! 

4. Specialized Equipment. In the same way that the temples can’t be reached without the right vehicle, your writing dreams won’t be reached without “specialized equipment” either. I’m not talking about computers, writing software, or that fountain pen that you’re sure will make you five times more productive. No. I’m talking about the unique knowledge you’ll obtain as you study the craft, meet industry professionals, and connect to other authors. So many writers think they can skip this step, but this isn’t a luxury “extra” - this is a required resource to help you reach your goals. 

5. Guides are great. I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out that while some people rent their own four-wheel drive vehicles and visit the temples independently, having a knowledgeable guide made the experience more enjoyable. Our guide kept us from getting lost and showed us interesting sites that we would never have known were there, and drove like an F1 driver through some washes and took us through a river! In the same way, mentors, writing friends, blogs like The Write Conversation, writing groups like ACFW and Word Weavers, and writing conferences can guide you on your journey and make it more wonderful than it would be if you tried to go it alone. 

Going to Capitol Reef and choosing to see the Temples of the Sun and Moon didn’t make me special or better than people who skip that park. But it did mean that I was able to experience something few others do. 

In the same way, fully embracing your writing identity doesn’t make you better than people who don’t write. However, it does mean that if you’re willing to put in the work, you’ll have unique experiences that will leave you standing in awe of the Creator. You will get to create with God, something that not everyone gets to enjoy. You will, in your own way, worship God with words. 

And, I believe you’ll never regret it!

Grace and peace,

Lynn

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Adventuring in Utah Gave Me Insight into Important Writing Truths: 6 Things I learned about Writing at Capitol Reef, @LynnHBlackburn on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

 Adventuring in Utah Gave Me Insight into Important Writing Truths

Part 1: The Brutal Beginning

Part 2: Take it Slow and Don't Grab the Reins

Part 3: 6 Things I Learned about Writing at Capitol Reef

Lynn H. Blackburn is the award-winning author of Unknown Threat, Malicious Intent, and Under Fire, as well as the Dive Team Investigations series. She loves writing swoon-worthy southern suspense because her childhood fantasy was to become a spy, but her grown-up reality is that she's a huge chicken and would have been caught on her first mission. She prefers to live vicariously through her characters by putting them into terrifying situations while she's sitting at home in her pajamas! She lives in Simpsonville, South Carolina, with her true love, Brian, and their three children. Learn more at www.lynnhblackburn.com.