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by Cherrilynn Bisbano @bisbanowrites

The conference is over and you arrived home excited, fully caffeinated, and ready to implement all you’ve learned.

The dog wags his tail, and loved ones bombard you with requests and concerns. The mountaintop joy dissipates as you unpack and return to household chores.

You wonder,

Do they even care about my writing? Are they excited for me?

If you experienced this,  you are not alone.

Many of us endure what I call “post-conference angst.” We leave the mountaintop and return to the realities of everyday life. The excitement, encouragement, and sense of belonging we felt during the week begins to fade. Memories of coffee at Clouds, heartfelt worship, inspiring classes, and precious conversations with fellow writers linger in our hearts.

 Mountaintop to the Mundane, Encouragement for the Writer by @bisbanowrites on @BRMCW #Writing #Writinglife #BRMCWC Share on X

The joy dissipates when we realize the grocery list needs attention, children’s schedules await updates, and the laundry, oh that laundy. The ordinary responsibilities of life seem to compete with everything God stirred within us on the mountaintop.

It can be a difficult transition.

Then, the enemy whispers, See,  Nobody really cares about your writing.

Don’t believe the lies.

God did not call you to write because everyone around you would applaud. He called you because He has a purpose for the words He instilled in your spirit. 

If you’re feeling discouraged, let me share with you three things that help me refocus.

1. I reconnect with God before I reconnect with my goals. I spend time in His presence. I open His Word. I let Him remind me why I started writing in the first place.
2. I stay connected to the writing friends God places in my life. I send a message, schedule a coffee chat, or reach out with a prayer. Some of God’s greatest gifts come through the friendships formed during conference week.
3. I take the next step God places in front of me. Whether it’s one chapter, an email, or a phone call, I try to listen and obey.

If you’re feeling unappreciated or unseen, please hear my heart.

Your worth is not measured by a contract, social media following,  or awards.

You are a beloved child of God, who entrusted you with a message.

The same God who met you at conference is with you in the quiet moments, the difficult revisions, the unanswered emails,  the mundane, and the long stretches when nobody seems to notice. 

The conference may be over, but God’s work in your life is not. Take the next step, my friend. I’m still cheering you on, even if you can’t hear me.

What is the next small step God is asking you to take today? I’d love to hear about it in the comments.

Cherrilynn Bisbano is an award-winning writer, coach, editor, and speaker. As former managing editor of Almost an Author, she helped the website earn the #6 spot on the Top 100 best writing websites for 2018 by The Write Life and Top 101 Websites for writers with Writers Digest. Cherrilynn is a speaker with Women Speakers. Her topics include leadership, book proposals, and the Bible.

She is a two-time winner of Flash Fiction Weekly. Her work in progress, Accidental Findings, won the first 10 pages award with, When Words Count Retreat. You can find her published in Blue Ridge Writers Blog, Southern Writers, More to Life (MTL), Christian Rep, Christian Voice, Refresh, and other online magazines. Cherrilynn is a contributor to award-winning, Get to the Margins-Author Anthology; Breaking the Chains; Heart Reno, Kiss Guilt Goodbye; and Chicken Soup for the Soul-Miracles books. Her latest book, Shine Don’t Whine, released October 2020. Cherrilynn proudly served in the Navy and Air National Guard, earning the John Levitow Military leadership award.  She lives with her eighteen-year-old son, Michael, Jr., and husband of 22 years. Cherrilynn loves Christ, Chocolate, coffee, and Cats. You will often find her on the beach sea glass hunting.