From Edie: Discover inspiring writing quotes, faith reminders, and lessons on God’s timing to help you persevere when writing feels hard and discouragement sets in.
When Writing Gets Hard: Quotes, Faith, and God’s Timing to Keep You Moving Forward
by Henry McLaughlin @RiverBendSagas
Many of us have writing quotes to inspire or nag us. Or to nudge us to keep writing.
Here are a few of my favorites.
Writing Quotes to Inspire
- “If my family didn’t want me to write about them, they should’ve behaved better.” - Anne Lamott
- “First, find out what your hero wants, then just follow him!” - Ray Bradbury
- "The first draft is just you telling yourself the story.” - Terry Pratchett
- "So, the writer who breeds more words than he needs, is making a chore for the reader who reads." - Dr. Seuss
- "Tell the readers a story! Because without a story, you are merely using words to prove you can string them together in logical sentences." - Anne McCaffrey
- “You can’t wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club." - Jack London
- "Get it down. Take chances. It may be bad, but it's the only way you can do anything really good." - William Faulkner
- "Start writing, no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on." - Louis L’Amour
- "You can always edit a bad page. You can’t edit a blank page" - Jodi Picoult
I also have quotes that I make up for myself or paraphrase from what I’ve read about the craft. The one I use most frequently comes to mind when I’m frustrated with some aspect of my writing. The story isn’t working as I hoped. The characters are rebelling. Another rejection comes in, or a speaking engagement falls through, or an editing client quits.
At the peak of my bafflement, I’ve looked heavenward and said, “Remember, this was your idea.” I take my discombobulation out on God. It’s a way of saying, “You called me to this, but it isn’t working out the way I thought it would (or should).” And God says…Nothing! Or so it seems.
He knows me all too well. There are times I think he lets me stew in my situation. I’m sure it’s to teach me something. One of the things I’m learning is patience. I’m also learning the more difficult character-building traits of trust and obedience.
If I’m called to be a writer, then I write. If I don’t write, then I’m in disobedience. If I’m not called to be a writer, and I’m writing, then I’m also in rebellion. And he can’t bless disobedience any more than he can bless whining or begging.
It’s when I repent of my disobedience that his blessings can flow, and his plan for me can move forward. And I’m learning it moves forward in his timing, not mine. At the beginning of this year, he gave me specific directions on how he wants me to proceed with my writing over the next few months. Before that morning, it seemed like he’d never heard my prayer. Now, I know differently. He was getting me into a position to listen to him.
I’m doing that now. And trusting his timing.
In his sermon, Learning Hope the Hard way, Pastor Steven Furtick of Elevation Church, said when doing things God’s way seems hard, it’s because, “If it was easy, I’d think I did it myself.” I’d glorify myself instead of God.
When I tell God, “Remember, this was your idea,” his response is, “I know. Are you ready to trust me?” My complaint becomes an inspiration to keep going, knowing his way—even when I can’t fathom it—is so much better than mine.
And let’s not forget: "Outside of a dog, a book is man’s best friend. Inside of a dog, it’s too dark to read." - Groucho Marx
Do you have a personal phrase or a favorite quote you use to keep you going?
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Henry edits novels, leads critique groups, and teaches at conferences and workshops. He enjoys mentoring and coaching individual writers.
Connect with Henry on his BLOG, X (TWITTER) and FACEBOOK.
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