“The RoseBouquet”

Jan/1/2008

Dear Writer,
let’s have a heart-to-heart talk here. This is the first day of a new year. It’s time to evaluate what we have done with our gift and passion for writing, and what kind of fresh start we will make today.

YOU: Well, a lot of life happened in 2007. It was impossible to get to any writing!

You’re not telling me anything new. 2007 was the most eventful year I’ve had since… 1983. Dad died in February, I had a back fracture, I had to find a new home, and clean up Dad’s estate, and prepare for the estate auction. My new home is wee house built in 1926, and it needs to be made all over again. I made it livable this last summer, but there’s still lots to do. On top of that, I registered my home business with the city, and now have registered a commercial business and set up a new office.

I’m sure your life has been busy, but I crammed a lot into mine too.

Although I had started a sequel to my novel in 2006, last year I didn’t get to put in five minutes on it. It’s stalled on my old DOS computer. I can’t even remember if I got half-way finished with it. I tried to keep up with my business writing, such as my RoseBouquet and answering emails.

But you know what, dear Writer? I got a book for Christmas in which Christian novelists reveal their heart in the art of their writing - it’s a good look behind their stories into their real lives, and in this book I’m finding myself challenged to say at the very least, “Lord, if You will open the door to writing, I promise to walk through it.” A number of these well-known authors have prayed along that line, and found that changes came into their lives shortly afterward, which made it possible for them to write. Yes, even when to all appearances it was impossible. Could not happen.

So last night I prayed such a prayer too. That book makes me feel like the Ugly Duckling who has finally found her own kind, and lo, it is among the Swans. I know I am happiest when I’m writing. I do believe God has guided me step by step in this new business and perhaps it will cover my expenses well enough so I can hire others to run it, and return to just writing for hours on end at home. Wouldn’t that be lovely?

I suspect you may be in similar shoes. Do you find yourself brimming with things that need to be said, or better yet, written? The written word is longer lasting and can reach more people. Have you made an effort to mark a certain place and time as your writing time? Would you be willing to do that if God gave you a nudge, and helped other things to fall into place?

Are there things in your life you could give up to make room for writing?

Writing is a joy, but it is also hard work. At least, you need to be prepared to work if you want to be productive on a steady basis, and most particularly if you want to make a living at it.

Think of the things that have happened to you as fodder for articles, stories and books, or web sites. If something makes an emotional, visceral impact on you, it’s bound to do that for someone else too - if you know how to write about it well.

All I’m asking of you, dear Writer, is to pause today to think very seriously, paying attention to the whisper of God’s Spirit in your heart, about your writing and your life, and what do you really want to do about it. If this is not the right time, let it go. Just be willing to be guided, if God has plans for you to write.

Blessings and Best Wishes for your 2008 - May it be Especially Great!

Ruth