Keep Calm and Write On…The Writer's Life

To begin again…

I'm sure since I haven't posted in quite some time now, some of you think that perhaps I have quit writing altogether. I have written since my last post but admittedly, very little. I don't know that I can even say what has been holding me back, but I do know that I must begin again. God has called me to write and I cannot quit.

Quitting is just not an option. But instead of stubbornly saying, "I won't quit", I choose to say, " I will persevere in this call to write!"

The difference between perseverance and obstinacy is that one comes from a strong will, and the other from a strong won't. - Henry Ward Beecher

It helps to know that there are those in my life who believe that God has given me this charge and this gift to write.  I want to thank you for encouraging me to step fully into this calling. You know who you are. 

And yet, I still...

• struggle to call myself a writer.
• struggle with the writing process.
• struggle to step into this calling.
• struggle with the question, 'Am I equipped for this?' 
• struggle with the fact that, yes, sometimes writing is just hard work!

"Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something that this thing must be attained."  - Marie Curie

I am in agreement with this quote by Marie Curie in that I do believe I am gifted for this writing journey…therefore I cannot just quit. I must press on. But my confidence comes in knowing that, because God has called me to this, He will provide the means, the strength, and the way to make it happen. Frankly, I am relieved to know that I don't have to rely on my own strength in this endeavor.  

It would seem that most writers have struggled with the doubts about who they are and even seem reluctant to say, "I am a writer."  There is comfort in knowing that I am not alone in my struggle.  Here are just a sampling of quotes I have collected from successful writers who understand the struggle.

Every Writer I know has trouble writing. -Joseph Heller, author

I am irritated by my own writing. I am like a violinist whose ear is true, but whose fingers refuse to reproduce precisely the sound he hears within.- Gustave Flaubert

Writing is easy; all you do is sit staring at a blank sheet of paper until the drops of blood form on your forehead. -Gene Fowler 

Prose is architecture, not interior decoration. - Ernest Hemingway 

I can't write five words but that I change seven. - Dorothy Parker

And then there's the quote from Jerry B. Jenkins, of Left Behind fame. In his book to writers, Writing For The Soul, he was asked the question, "Why write if you don't like writing?"

It's not that I hate going to the keyboard, but I put it off, dreading the encounter, especially getting started. Then the story draws me in, and I'm off and running. I don't know anyone who sits at the computer with a grin thinking, This is the most fun I've had all day. I'd rather do this than play.  

 That's me! I put it off. The getting started part…yeah…I get it. It's like there is this invisible force field around the keys of my computer holding me off. It's like…do-do-do-do...There is a fifth dimension, beyond that which is known to man. It is a dimension as vast as space and as timeless as infinity. It is the middle ground between light and shadow, between science and superstition, and it lies between the pit of man's fears and the summit of his knowledge. This is the dimension of imagination. It is an area which we call the Twilight Zone  Writing Zone.  That's it! Thank you, Rod Serling!! 

Created with Keep-Calm-O-Matic, Gay Idle

But seriously…there are so many other things I have on the to-do list. Even the laundry is calling my name…wooing me away from the keyboard. What?!! I don't even enjoy doing laundry! Who does?    

But here's the thing. I am a writer. I have made the decision to pursue this writing life. The pursuit of anything worthwhile is often fraught with obstacles along the path. But I am committed to this path, so write I must!

I believe this writing gig to be one of the instruments through which God will fulfill the greater calling He has placed on my life.



When God calls us to something, it never means the road will be an easy one. (Tweet this). But I know that with surrender to Him comes peace and joy. And that, my friends, will be worth all the struggle! 

What about you? Have you been called to something that seems insurmountable? I'd love to hear what you are doing to overcome the obstacles. Join in the discussion in the comment section below. 

"Now to Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us,"

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Writer's Life Update:

While I haven't posted on the blog in a while, I did manage to get an article written for The Kingdom Life Now, A women's online magazine about belonging and becoming in the Kingdom of God. Check out the magazine and subscribe! You'll be blessed!

2020 UPDATE: Since the time of the publication of my article The Kingdom Life Now has dissolved and is no longer available. I will be reissuing the post at another site and will update the new link when it goes live.

Open the Eyes of my heart, Lord ~my prayer in the midst of my writer's block...

So...it's been awhile since I have written a blog post.  Sorry for the neglect...well...actually it started with a major writer's block. One that I am afraid was begun in fear.

Fear of a writing project I have been asked to be a part of...nothing really huge, mind you, just a chapter in a book. We, I and several other women, are writing to encourage  Mom's who may be in the midst of raising a special needs child. I have some personal experience in this area. You see, my  son has a very rare migraine condition called Sporadic Hemiplegic Migraines (SHM).

  SHM is a condition that has caused my son, Brad, to suffer two traumatic brain events...a stroke at the age of thirteen (February 1999) and again at the age of twenty two (July 2007), his migraine led to non-stop seizures which put him in danger of permanent brain damage if they could not stop the seizures. So they basically put him into a medicinally induced coma. Brad was in the Neurocritical Care Unit of Johns Hopkins University Hospital for 16 days!

Both events, in '99 and '07, resulted in multiple hospital transfers, multiple days in ICU's/ Neurocritical Care Units, and inpatient rehabilitation hospitals. Those days were followed by  many months of physical, speech, and occupational  out- patient therapies. Immediately after each of these events Brad was unable to do anything...talk, walk, speak, read, write, simple math, recognition of coins, basic care skills, basic social skills, ALL had to be relearned.  I jokingly tell people that I have raised our one son three times.  In reality it's not a joke but a big part of the story of my son's life...and mine, as well as every member of our family. 

In many of my blog posts, to this point, I have shared life lessons that God has taught me from simple things...such as the antics of my puppy or the beauty of nature or just lessons from life in general.  But I haven't written about our experiences with our son, Brad, who, by the way, is doing quite well now...despite the fact that we are still working through some of his cognitive impairment from his last event. To be honest I know that God has much for me to share about what He has taught me through our son's ordeals. It is just so hard sometimes to put into words on a page. Somehow it goes deep to the core of my being and tears begin to flow. 

God IS so very good and has walked with us every step of the way.  I believe that He has now given me the direction that my writing should take...sharing the blessings through the trials.

 God has a plan and a purpose for my son's life...for my life.  The plans that formulated in my heart as a young, married, soon to be mother so many years ago have taken a dramatic turn.  I would have thought by now my son would have graduated from college, be established in the profession of his (and Gods) choice, and married with one or two children of his own.  His own dream since he was 9 years old was to be a Minister, married, and have children by the time he had reached his present age.   Many times I have prayed,  "LORD, why...why have you not given him his heart's desire...surely they line up with your will?!" Just when I think none of it makes any sense God gives me glimpses of His purpose, His glory on the mountain tops, He shows me light on this valley floor. And I am once again comforted and filled with the peace that passes understanding...HIS peace.

Am I saying that God actually chose to inflict my son with this awful condition? No. We live in a fallen world that displays the result of sin. Ever since the fall in the Garden of Eden, things have been going downhill. Everything has been affected by that choice made so long ago.  What I am saying is that God, for whatever reason, has allowed this to come to pass and He has and is going to bring about His glory and His good for Brad and our family. His word promises that " in all things God works for the good of those who love Him , who have been called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28. I trust that God is working this out.  My son loves the Lord and has been called! I just have to let go and let God work out His plan.  I have to follow His footprints, His path, for our lives.  

How does this letting go look in your own life?  You don't have to go through something so traumatic as what I have just shared in order to see the path God has for you! 

"Sometimes we have to let go of our dreams in order for His dreams to come to fruition. Are we so busy planning out how our lives should go, our dreams, our purpose, that we miss His purpose for our life? I submit that you won't be fulfilled until you relinquish those dreams to the God who created you for His purpose!" ~ Gay Idle ♥

"I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance." Ephesians 1:18