After much thought, investigation, consideration of information, and even more prayer, I have come to the conclusion that it is a different path I walk in the arena of writing. That is not to imply my path is better—or worse—than those that others take. Just different.
Sometimes what seems the obvious choice is not the right one. I tried to adhere to the qualifications necessary for invasion of the publishing world. I could not—or did not—meet those standards. In fact, I learned I didn’t even favor some of those standards, which might explain one of the reasons why I couldn’t and didn’t meet them.
Lately, various writer blogs (including this one) have been addressing writing as art, accepted rules of writing, and what editors are seeking or hope to find in those horrendous stacks of manuscripts piled on their desks or floors.
Beginners and yet to be published writers soak in the words of professionals and become either fretful or eager to manipulate their current WIP to achieve the status of “published”. While it remains an honor to be “professionally” published, many authors are fearful of their low sales and strain toward finding that “divine” marketing technique which will work the best for them and convince publishers they are a force to be reckoned with in the writing world—or at least one who can figure out a way to make their novels pay for themselves.
Stripped down we’re talking about stories here. Stories here at this blog which are written to honor the Lord. Stories which attempt to bring fresh looks and words and plots to the eyes of readers who will laugh or cry or cringe or shiver at them.
A writer who reads many, many books will decide who of the authors tells a good story, who of the authors writes uniquely, who of the authors has an appealing style, who of the authors they admire or emulate without even trying, and who of the authors they don’t particularly like. They will read the novels and make these decisions, slowly at first, and then the more they invest in their own writing, the decisions they make about others’ writings will be more discerning, more involved, more distinct. They will decide to separate their skills from those whose writing they don’t appreciate without being critical because they will have determined that there are all kinds of books for all kinds of readers.
When you consider how many writers are out here creating manuscripts, it’s knee-buckling. No way can we all make it into the “golden” circle of the contracted author in traditional publishing. And if we don’t?
Oh yeah: The Plan.
Writers, do you love to write stories? Do you have a participatory process with the Lord in your creating? Is there the gamut of emotion as the words either soar to the screen or ache to be written? Do you know, feel, believe this is what you must do? To get that story down?
Then you must do it. And you must do it well. As best you can. Give it as an offering to your Lord. Not for a critique group, an editor, or pub board, but for Him. Let Him take it wherever He wants and do with it what He will. Remember He speaks, you listen and do.
Then and only then will you have followed the path designed for you.
Father, I pray for steadfastness. Hold me steady on my path. Please don't let me waver just because it's not the same path as someone else's. Hold me fast to your appointed ways for me. That's all that really matters to me. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.