By Debb Hackett @debb_hackett
They say it’s the hope that hurts. I’m not entirely sure who “they” are, but they’re not wrong. Earlier this year I had reason to believe this was it. My publishing dreams were approaching the light at the end of the prepublished tunnel.
Nope. The rejection was swift and helpful. But even though ripping the band aid off is smarter, this still stings. Thankfully when you write for the King, by His grace, nothing is lost. After this latest setback (far from the first or only, and unlikely to be the last), I really considered if this was the Lord telling me to hang it up. I’ve heard it said we should invest our time where the Lord is moving, and the only way it felt my writing was moving, was backwards.
The only sensible thing was to make a strategy for assessment, without which I might’ve made a poor, ego-influenced choice. In case you’re discouraged, or are about to be, I thought I’d share. I hope this helps or blesses you (or both).
This is the time to press into the Lord. Ask to only hear HIS truth about your writing and His plan for your life. Does He want you to stop and refocus, or take a deep breath and get back into the fray?
After a knock it’s perfectly reasonable to take a minute or a day to lick your wounds. Mine included cake and some binge watching. (Of course, good tv inevitably reminds me that I want to be a great storyteller). But don’t stay there licking the wounds. When ready, refer back to my first point and get on your knees.
Revisit things that inspire you. For me it’s mountains and lakes, worship music (Holy Forever anyone?) and other writers like Dee Henderson, Frank Peretti and Becky Wade. Writers who make me stay up half the night and not regret the extra concealer I need, or the extra coffee.
Writers, How to Dig in When You Want to Back Out by @debb_hackett on @BRMCWC #Writing #Writinglife #BRMCWC Share on XIf you don’t have one, today, TODAY people, make an encouragement folder. What made you think you could write, or learn to write in the first place? Have you entered a contest and got some decent feedback? Anything that makes your fingers itch for the keyboard––look that over.
Find the people who can ground you. Check in with the writers who have cheered you on so far. If they’re further along, get their perspective on where you’re at. Ask about their setbacks and how they press on. Remember nothing is lost in God’s economy.
And when you’re ready to dive back in, have a decent plan to follow. Do you need to revise, hire an editor, take a class or read a craft book? Maybe it’s time to go back to the drawing board. Then dive in.
Pray. I’d also consider starting every trip to your desk, every opening of your laptop, every logging in, with prayer. My favorite lately is to ask God to lay His hands over mine as I type, be my brainstorming partner, and make the words fall like rain in the time of Noah. All to His glory for the furtherment of His Kingdom.
Godspeed, friends. You and the Lord have got this. And He’s got you.
Writer, broadcaster and speaker Debb Hackett has been a radio journalist for more than twenty years. Married to a Royal Air Force test pilot, Debb has written a Bible study for military wives.
A regular contributor to the Advanced Writers and Speakers Devotional Arise Daily, she’s also been privileged to writer chapters for Write Well Sell Well. For now, based near London, England she’s having lots of fun working on a contemporary romance series and was an ACFW Genesis award semi-finalist in 2020.
When she’s not writing, Debb can be found leading worship, playing bass or skiing. If you can swing by her house while she’s making scones, that would also be a win.
