Okay, let me count the reasons. On second thought, never mind.
If you ask a person who’s attempting to write his first novel why he’s doing it, the reason will usually be fairly basic: to get published. If he’s a Christian, it might be tempered with spiritual innuendoes to make it sound more sacrificial or noble or God-geared. And regardless of how it’s expressed, it’s most likely true.
Ask that same writer a year later about it, and if he’s done with the novel, the reason for writing it might still be the same, but if he’s submitted it a time or two and gotten rejections, the tempo of the response has usually changed. Perhaps the understanding of the process has been amplified, and also he may now know a whole bunch more information about the industry than he did when he wrote his first chapter. And if he hasn’t yet finished the novel, he will appreciate the highs and lows of creative endeavors as they play into real life circumstances.
The never-ending conversations about “finding the muse”, “heeding the call”, “the artist versus the hack”, “literary versus younameit”, “ABA versus CBA”, “edgy versus safe”, “great versus not-so-great”, etcetera, etcetera, and etcetera, ad nauseum, will be etched inside his brain as he’s searched the multitudinous sites of agents, authors, publishers, and writers just like himself over the course of time.
Eventually, he will refine his response to the question which addresses the “reasons” for writing. And, perhaps, he will also redefine his primary “reason” for writing. What is it anyway?
To write to be heard? To deliver a message so profound it will move someone to tears and change his heart somehow? To receive enough monetary reward for the hours invested to support oneself for the rest of this life? To gain recognition, fame possibly, some glory? To receive accolades and be interviewed in the media? To bring exceptional humor and wit?
Deep, deep down . . . what is the reason you write?
Will you continue for years without a contract being offered? Will you write when you can’t seem to connect with an agent for representation? Will you keep writing something new if and when you finish your first novel? Will you repeatedly submit that first or second or third manuscript, story, novel, with a mounting array of rejection slips? Will you write on anyway?
Will you write the stories God gives you to write? Or will you write the stories the publisher gives you to write, should you gain a place in “the house”?
Why do you write? When will you write? How will you write? What will you write?
Father, I pray that those who choose to honor you with their writing will keep you in the forefront. I pray that each one who receives the call to write will write in obedience to you regardless of what else is asked of them. I pray their devotion to you would keep them strong throughout the journey involved with writing a novel. Help us all to be faithful in every situation and circumstance. You are really the only One who matters. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
*Please continue to pray for Kristy Dykes.*