If I could write for a full year without financial or time restraint what would I write?
The first thing that comes to mind is that I would probably squander the year away saying, “Oh well, I have all day tomorrow to write, or all next week, so today I will just do this or that . . . .” When I am working full-time I finish more writing projects because I know I have to get it done now or it won’t happen. With my bad habit in mind, the first step on my year of writing would be to set up an accountability partner to ensure that I would write regularly. Come to think of it, that would be a great idea for my present life!
The second step to my wonderful writing year would be to travel to countries such as Indonesia, where Christians, unfortunately, are being persecuted. I would interview a few select people and write their true stories. These are amazing stories of surrender. While we struggle over deciding which pattern of granite to select for our kitchen countertops, they are deciding whether or not to make their faith known to their family, for which they could drown in their backyard swimming pool, or be stoned outside their city. These are stories of how sometimes the Lord intervenes miraculously and saves them from certain death, or starvation, or from physical harm. And yet even when the Lord is silent, still these dear Christians persevere and give their lives for Him. Christians in our affluent and soft-life society need to get a perspective on what is happening to their own family just a plane-ride away. These stories need to be told!
When I thought about having no financial worries, I realized that I would still do a lot of the same writing I’m doing today. Though they do not pay richly, the lessons learned and the friendships created are worth the effort. I would still write human interest stories because they yank me away from my comfy slippers-and-desk routine and drop me into new worlds where I’m forced to speak, negotiate, and relate with others, and even provide opportunities to express grace and love. I would still write devotionals because of the depth of relationship I find with Jesus, and the profound joy in sharing raw discovery with others. I would still write letters, encouraging notes, and especially little blog-type posts of daily life because they help us all remember that there is humour and beauty in every day. And I would still write short fiction because it’s an amazing ride and the vehicle drives home truth in a creative way.
This was a good topic because it helped me to realize contentment in all my current writing projects, but also helped me dream and focus on what I have yet to achieve.
What about you? If you had a full year to write and no financial worries, would your writing change dramatically or not?
~ Pamela Mytroen
