Do What You Can by Susan Barclay

 

I was hoping to refer back to a previously written post on the best writing advice I’d ever received. Unfortunately, if I wrote one, I wasn’t able to find it. Fortunately, I can still answer the question for this month’s prompt!

First, I agree with much of what’s already been shared by others here over the last two weeks, including (but not limited to) Alan’s, “keep writing,” and much from Brenda’s multi-point post. Carol’s “Do I really need those words?” reminds me of Stephen King’s admonition to “kill your darlings.” And I absolutely love Peggianne’s advice to “pray first.” So essential, though sadly I admit to often forgetting.

The best advice I received recently was in a response to my June 2024 contribution, R is for Retirement, where Alan shared, “I write regularly, but in a way that suits me. I know some of our dear writing friends write for so various hours per day, or every other day. I don't follow this pattern. I write according to my writing energy level on a particular day. There are days I can write for four to six hours, whereas some days only two or three. I am my timekeeper. If I have a deadline, say for our InScribe blog or something else, I make sure I meet the deadline with time to spare. The thing is, I do what I can and what I love in my writing.”

This model meets my needs in this current season as I am still providing 24/7 care to my elderly mom, whose birthday is today. I would tell you how old she is, but then she would have to kill me! I am not ready to stop writing for such a dramatic reason, LOL.

So, I aim to follow Alan's suggestions:

● I write as regularly as I can, “but in a way that suits me…according to my energy level.”
● I aim to meet the deadlines for InScribe Writers Online, with time to spare.
● “I do what I can and what I love in my writing.”

I’m thankful that while God equipped me with the gift and love of writing and wants me to use it, Christianity is not a works-based faith. He knows what’s going on in my life and He knows my heart. He doesn’t want me to beat myself up over something outside of my control (my available time and energy level in these trying days). While I wait for a time when I am free to write more, I trust His good reasons for extending this period of shared suffering. His ways and timing are perfect, even when we do not understand.

If you are going through a hard time where you feel your life is on hold, what advice do you give yourself?

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For more about Susan Barclay and her writing, please visit www.susan-barclay.blogspot.com.