three things to help Finish the Work
by Dayna E. Mazzuca
In the Gospel of
John, chapter 17, JESUS SAYS: “I have glorified you by finishing the work you
gave me to do.” Today the red letters come alive for me. Between the lines I
read: finish the work, the task of writing. Specifically, to follow up the pile
of ideas tucked in my “Idea File.” The file is currently bulging with pink and
yellow sticky notes. The coil notebook laying open beside it is filling up fast
with more ideas-waiting-to-happen. There’s also a pretty blue “ideas book” in
my purse with enough ideas to last the year and various notes jotted down on
parking receipts and to-do lists covering my desktop. Ideas abound, praise the
Lord. But where is the Time to Finish the Work?
These ideas are
Important. They are essays-waiting-to-written. Poems-waiting-to-be-composed.
They are books-in-the-making!
They are books-in-the-making!
FINDING TIME
If I could find the time, I could/would finish the work God has put in my hands to finish. I could take
the unlit candle off the shelf, light it and lead others along the path I’ve
been blessed to find. I could take the flashlight and install four new “D”
batteries, push the switch forward and shine the light into the pile of “undone
stuff” now burying the best of my friends, helping them to tunnel through to
the light of day. I could mount the stairs of the lighthouse and guide the
wayward home. I could do it all. IF I could find time.
Where is this time
and why is it important to finish the work? To put the finishing touches on my
third collection of poems to accompany the spoken poetry blog I recently
launched? To compile the notes for various workshops into a book-length
project? To prioritize the essays I want to write to those living (and dying)
on overwhelm?
WHAT’S REALLY STOPPING ME?
I have space, ability, technical support, connections and a track record of
publishing. But this month—so full of potential and fresh energy—seems to be
off to a slow start. This year seems
off to a slow start. What is going on?
I AM MISSING THREE THINGS:
1. DEADLINES
As a former journalist, I never missed a deadline. But as
a freelancer working from home, I have no deadlines. So, I meander, pause and wander
off to clean the floor, make soup, buy new sharpies. My writing comes last
because there is no urgency. There is no deadline: I do not keep the end in
sight because there is no end! Open-ended projects are destined to pad out the
Idea File, adding their slight heft to my sense of being... YET UNDONE. Sigh.
While I do not miss the tantrums of tortured editors banging down my door, I do miss the built-in success of always-motivating red flag deadlines. I used to write 32 stories a week, error free. Today, an idea can languish on my desk for years… I need deadlines.
While I do not miss the tantrums of tortured editors banging down my door, I do miss the built-in success of always-motivating red flag deadlines. I used to write 32 stories a week, error free. Today, an idea can languish on my desk for years… I need deadlines.
2. A PARTNER in planning and execution
A writing buddy. Someone to
talk shop: “What are you working on this year?” “What deadlines have you set
for yourself?” “How are you planning on prioritizing your projects?” “When can
I check in with you again to make sure we’re on track?” “Let’s meet for coffee
and go over this in person once a month.” Having a boss was the bane of my
professional writing stint, but having a hard-core friend to my writing who
takes freelancing as seriously as I do on a good day would be great!
btw - I've noticed an offer or two on this wonderful Blog to join forces... THANKS.
I look forward to forging mutually strengthening links!
3. THE BIG PICTURE
I can envision the finished poetry book (and even
spoken album). I can see the workshops materializing into a book. I can see the
essays being a blessing to many. But I have trouble seeing myself as a
communication-hub, my writing as a business, my content as dovetailing with a
coherent, helpful message.
I need help putting the potential of my writing in perspective. I
don’t mind sharing ideas through spoken, printed or published means, but to
see myself in the category of an Ann Voskamp, Mark Buchanan or Malcolm Guite is
a bit of a stretch. These in-their-niche godly, professional communicators have
built a brand around their work, and their lives! Do I want my work and my life
to become a brand? Do I want to be a brand?? I’m not convinced.
But.
I do want to share well and widely. To create venues for content and extend
invitations to others to enter more deeply into a consideration of their faith
and the work they’re called to. I do want to do that. To finish that work.
If
I could find the time.
IN THE MEANTIME - Please join me for the INSCRIBE WORDSHOP on March 18 I'm facilitating in Edmonton this year— at WRITE ON TARGET, you'll find out how to Reach Your Reader by 1) identifying your Type (there are 5Types of Readers) 2) tailoring your writing to their reading needs and preferences and 3) aligning your work to the markets your reader visits. A hands-on day to take your writing to the next level.
REGISTER online.
VISIT DAYNA -
