I apologize. Every time I post here, something goes wrong. The stuff sticks itself in draft form forever or else appears on the wrong day and squeezes another author's writing to the bottom of the page.
How does that happen? I have no idea. I think I am following the clear directions, so it must be the computer, right? But what if it isn’t? What if the fault is me? What if people are not reading my scribbles because I subconsciously shoot myself in the foot/mouth every time?
What if I believe what I say has no value but I post because it’s my time slot? What if I am secretly hoping to fail so that I can blame my lack of success on something that is not me? What if I really do not have anything worthy to say?
To enlarge on that topic, what if my book isn’t published because I never send or have enough stamps on hand or the time is not right, or my Mom doesn’t like it?
Surely, I am not the only one suffering from delusional, hypocritical, self-devaluating thoughts, am I? (Please say no!!)
Writers must be courageous, for we put ourselves on the line every day. We must develop the ability to face difficulty, uncertainty, or worse, without being overcome by fear or being deflected from our chosen course of writing action.
What if I decided to overcome my computer/fear by only posting on my exact day, the 20th of the month. (Unfortunately, the 20th of last month slipped by without notice on my part…of course, there was that time change and the computer didn’t automatically turn over…sigh!)
What if I have more work to do in the courage department?
Brenda J Wood
http://heartfeltdevotionals.com
InScribe Writers Online - Members sharing their writings with each other and the world
This is priceless, Brenda. I've been there and done that on more than one occasion. And I am computer challenged too.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of fiction, apparently that is the whole supposition of writing the genre. I've heard that worry warts like ourselves should write novels, because we have such good imaginations.
Fortunately God knew there would be people like us. In Phil. 4:6-7, Paul writes, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Let's pray that God will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen and peace to you, Brenda.
Brenda,
ReplyDeleteYou are right - we stick our necks out every day we put pen to paper. But... and here is the big but.. we have a God who can do more than we can imagine.
Through our middlings, messes and goofs, He emerges glorified. And that's what it is all about.
We need to keep on, keeping on and encourage each other every chance we get.
Many blessings to all Inscribe writers and readers,
Janis www.janiscox.com
Both this article and comments have encouraged me and reminded me of why and who we do what we do for...fear is such a killer!
ReplyDeleteYou spoke right to my heart today, Brenda. I have to plough through acres of fear every time I try to work on my novel and I give up more often than not these days. However, you are right - writers must be courageous (Help, Lord!)
ReplyDeleteKeep your chin up and never despise the day of small things!
ReplyDeleteLOL!!! Brenda, I don't know if you meant it to be funny, but I got a smile from your post because I can so relate. I never stop questioning my writing quality & value.
ReplyDeleteHave you ever read "Bird by Bird" by Ann Lamott? In her self-effacing book, she is sooooo hard on herself on herself, and often she thinks she writes garbage. She is funny, and has apparently tapped the brainwaves in my head, because she wrote many of the same thoughts that I have.
I laughed so hard at her humorous inner agonies, that ever since then, when I can't believe how awful some of my writing is, I remember her and can't help but laugh my way out of discouragement!
From my reading, this discouragement is so common for writers and artists in general, but the flip side is that we have an inner spirit and talent that is extraordinary. The word for "inspiration" comes from the Latin "spiro" which means "to breathe". As Christians, our inspiration for our writing is God-breathed. What a privilege to be his servant!