A friend recently told me he had an idea for a book and planned to write it after he retires in 10 years. I frequently hear comments like that, often about writing or some other dream for the future. “Someday, I would love to…” Followed by the excuses: “My kids are involved in too many activities right now; things are really crazy at work; I don’t have a calm, quiet place to write; I don’t have time . . .”
My advice is always the same: don’t wait! Your life will always be too busy with too many things to do. You’ll never have time unless you carve out time. And the quietest, calmest place you’ll ever live is in the cemetery. Harsh advice, maybe? But I learned it through experience.
When I first dreamed of writing I had a nine-year-old, a two-year-old, a newborn, and a husband who worked two jobs. I had no idea if I had any talent and not a clue about how to get published. I simply sat down one day when my oldest was in school and my younger ones napped and began to write. It didn’t take long to figure out I loved it. The short story I thought I was writing eventually grew into a 5 book series entitled, “The Chronicles of the Kings”. I was hooked. And then my kids outgrew naps and life turned crazy.
I attended a Christian Writers’ Conference two or three years later and author Jerry Jenkins offered some wonderful advice. His sons were young at the time, and he still had a full-time job, but he said he’d promised God he wouldn’t write until his children were in bed. “Of course,” he added, “I sometimes have to put them to bed at 4:00 in the afternoon…” He was joking, but his point about setting priorities was exactly what I needed to hear. My spiritual life and my family were my top priorities. But if my dream to write truly had come from God, then it needed to be near the top of my list, too.
I set up my computer in our family room, in the middle of Lego creations and dollhouses and art projects, and learned to write in spite of the chaos and constant interruptions. I carried notebooks and research books to hockey practices and swimming lessons, and planned my next chapter while pushing kids on swings. I didn’t know the meaning of “peace and quiet.”
My point is, don’t wait! Just do it! Do it now while the dream is vivid and your passion burns. Chances are the urge that won’t go away, the dream that won’t die, is exactly the dream God has for you. It’s never too soon or too late to start. Rearrange your busy life. Adjust your priorities to make room. Then—just do it! Let your only regret be that you didn’t start sooner.
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Lynn, your story is so similar to mine and your desk in the living room looks so much like mine did back when our kids were small. When I got my first dedicated office, I almost couldn’t write in the quiet seclusion. Most days I had to come out to the kitchen bar counter where there was a little “white noise.” 🙂 Love your advice, but especially love your priorities. Our spiritual life and our family feed the dreams of our heart. Wonderful post!
Thanks, Deb. I now have my very own office, too, but I have to keep the door open most days or it’s too quiet!
Wish I’d met you–and your advice–earlier, Lynn! 🙂 I procrastinated for years before I finished my first novel but am so glad I did. And so thankful to God for the prompts and blessings (even my husband’s job loss) that pushed me to finally get serious about my life’s dream. But I agree–whether a new writer or an old one, we need to keep our priorities in the right order!
I wish we’d met earlier, too! We could’ve had some real fun! One advantage of pursuing our dreams at home is that it gives our kids a model for pursuing their own dreams, too. Who knows what they might become if they don’t procrastinate like we both did.
Great advice, Lynn. I started when my kids were babies with just a notepad and a pencil. Six years later I had my first contract. It’s hard work, and I’m still juggling like crazy to get my kids who are now 15, 13, and 12 everywhere they need to be yet still find time to write and meet those ever-present deadlines. But when God calls, he also provides a way a somehow everything gets done. Thanks for the inspiration!
I’m sure your example will inspire other mothers with dreams. Thanks for sharing.
Lynn, you made me remember that I began writing (the intentional, adult phase of my writing) in a house full. My husband and I were living with my parents, grandparents, and younger brother while we prepared to move 3000 miles to the west coast. I figure that brief period was a good time to give writing a novel a try, something I’d wanted to do since I was a teenager (I was all of 22 by then). That brief period stretched into 18 months, but I did write daily amidst the comings and goings of family for that time. Since then I’ve lost the knack of productivity amidst chaos, but it’s nice to remember I once possessed it. 🙂 I’m thankful you, and so many other writers, persevered and followed God’s calling when it wasn’t easy, and have blessed us with so many wonderful stories!
Wow, Lori! How did you ever write under those circumstances? You must have been very motivated.
I started writing at a time that was convenient in my life. I worked on average 2 nights a week and the job I did allowed quite a bit of free time where I could write while I worked. I finished my first novel rather quickly, but since I began working fulltime, day shift, finding time to write wasn’t as easy. But I have learned to make time instead of trying to find time. It’s always possible to make time for the important things. The trick is learning to get rid of the not-so-important things in life that eat away at your time. It’s all about priorities and just doing the best you can with what you are given.
You’re right, Shelly. We’ll never find time–we have to make time. I still have to look at my life from time to time and see where I’m wasting time.
I always remember something someone told me early in the process. Even 500 words a day equals a book in a year. So you’re right: you just have to sit down and do it!
Right, Cara! It’s funny how all those words add up. And 500 a day is better than zero words.
I enjoyed your post and encouragement Lynn. I am living this advice as we speak. My daughters are 8 and 3 and I homeschool, so designating a writing time is almost impossible. I’ve learned to watch for opportunities. Right now, my girls are playing together so I have a moment to get my daily devotional posted and catch up on the writers that I follow. I have my WIP, that I started February 2013, sitting at 105,000 words with 3 chapters to finish out. I thought I’d be done by end of the year but God has taught me so much about His timing and priorities. It seems that when I think I should have time to write, God says ‘not now’. I’ve learned to listen. I get more done in those blessed moments God provides than in any forced time I try to create.
I also believe it is a beautiful example for our children when we pursue our passions. We would never tell our children to put off pursuing their dreams, but we seem to fear setting the example. If they can’t see us struggle to find the balance then they may never have the courage to stick with what God calls them to do when ‘life’ gets busy. My girls see me get excited about ideas, working through problems by stepping away and putting my energy into physical work, learning more about my craft by reading and practicing, and putting in the hours to finish what I’ve begun. I pray often that the Lord, that my example will teach them the skills I had to learn the hard way.
You are so right, Jessica, we are setting an example for our kids by disciplining ourselves and pursuing our dreams. I also had to learn to trust God’s timing.My first MSS was rejected after I waited nearly a year to hear back from the publisher–but I now know that I couldn’t have handled a book contract at that time in my life. God knows!
What an inspiring post, Lynn – – thank you! 🙂
I’ve “dabbled” at writing for years, but young children, teaching school, etc. were top priorities. Then a few years ago when the Lord closed the door on my teaching career (due to my back/spine issues) I KNEW then He was opening the door for me to write full-time. But it took me a while to be able to actually say: “I’m a writer now.” Although as yet unpublished, it’s something I truly LOVE, so unless the Lord directs me in another direction, I’ll keep writing. 🙂
Yes, please keep writing, Patti Jo! It took me eleven years from the day I first sat down to write until I was published. I’m so glad I kept writing.
What a good post! And how true. Its something I hear from other people a LOT. “I’d love to do , but I just don’t have time!” while they proceeded to do a lot of OTHER extra-curricular activities. My response is always “You will ALWAYS be busy. You make time for what you want to do. If you refuse to make time, then you don’t really want to do it.” And time and again I have seen that proven true. They’d rather watch TV, or play games, or go outside or spend hours on facebook or whatever, than carve out the time to do what they are saying they want to do. (or, worse, do all that instead of spending time with God! Eeks!)
For myself, writing is something I NEED to do. I’ve done it since I was a child. . .although, granted, no one really wanted to read the stuff back then, and it was all very silly. . .I can see how it eventually evolved into what I do now. I have had people ask me how I get time to write and my answer is always the same. You _make_ time. If you have a busy day, and you have an idea clambering in your head, you make some time. You carry that notebook around and write in the vehicle, you write while you’re waiting in line, you write when you’re shopping (assuming you have someone else with you, anyway. lol), you find moments in which to get the skeleton of your idea down onto paper.
Nowadays its a bit easier – you can use a tablet while on the go and get the ideas down then not have to type them in again later when you can get to your computer, but the idea is the same. Then, yes, you do have to make time to sit down on the computer and polish those ideas into something that passes for finished work. And there’s *always* daydreaming and sorting scenes out going on in the head. Even when not actively working on the writing.
I’m not published. . .I don’t know if I’ll ever go for being published. I would love to write Christian fiction, but I mainly enjoy writing fantasy/scifi and I have never figured out how to work Christian things into that without sounding completely idiotic. Its possible, I suppose, but I don’t know how yet! (Especially if you want to avoid the whole allegorical setup!) But writing out the stories that clamour for attention in my head is definitely something that I need to do, both for my own sanity and the enjoyment of seeing a story come together.
Now I’m having to tell myself to do the same thing about drawing. I’d love to illustrate some of my own work, but I keep putting it off. “I don’t have time”, “Its so much work”, “It doesn’t come out right” and I’ve had to start telling myself to stop making excuses and just grab that pencil and DO it. I’ll never get any better at it if I don’t stop complaining and just do it. Take the time to practice! lol
Great advice! And when you’re ready to submit for publication, you might want to try Marcher Lord Press. They do quite a bit of SciFi/fantasy fiction for the Christian market. Thanks for your comments and I wish you all the best with your work.
Thank you, Lynn, for the little “push”. I enjoy your books and am so glad you stepped out in faith (and perseverance) and started writing. Blessings to you and the words of your pen.
Thanks, Terrie. God bless!
LOVED this post, Lynn. You’re exactly right. The time to begin working on our dreams is NOW. I wrote before I had kids, then stopped writing to raise kids for the next 7 years, then began writing again when I had a 7 year old, a 4 year old, and was expecting my third. It you carve out time to pursue your passions, even a little bit of time each day, God can do amazing things.
Amen, Becky! I’m sure you’ll agree that writing while parenting isn’t easy, but God honors every step we take in faith.
Fabulous advice from Nike and Lynn! 🙂 I have a Nike hoodie that says Just Do It across the front. It’s a great reminder to really go for your dreams and follow God into the great unknown.
Blessings,
Andrea
Proofreader/Writer
writingtoinspire.blogspot.com
Right, Andrea. I think of the thousands of people who run the Chicago Marathon every year and how hard they work to prepare for it…why not work that hard on our dreams, too?
Wonderful point, Lynn. If only we could all reach our full potential… Imagine what God could do through us!
Hi Lynn,
I can’t finish one book. I started a few. I procrastinate like Julie did. But I’m also afraid. It’s in my head. I’m not good enough.
I work full time and have two boys at home. Even though I do like my work, I feel like I’m in a cave, a prisoner. I hit the gym a few times a week to relieve stress.
Another night I had a vision holding a thick book in my hands, a bestseller. It had a white hardcover. The image one the cover held open palms, rose petals, and my name in red at the bottom. I know which story it held. And I know as well I’m not ready to write it yet.
So, I’m between too many stories.
I understand, Anna. And I think there is a “right” time to start. But don’t let fear of not being good enough stop you. I had absolutely no writing credentials when I began, not even a college degree in writing. But I enjoyed writing, so I just wrote. I told myself I would worry about publishing later. And no one has ever asked to look at my “qualifications” for writing.
Thank you, Lynn. I won’t be thinking of making it perfect, just on doing it.
Loved this! While I dream of writing full-time eventually, I have stories to tell now. For me, my main challenge is my psychology private practice, which is my “kid” & is demanding of my time & emotional energy. I do struggle with carving out the time & making myself write even when I’m tired, but I also try to be gentle with myself. Many days my motto is “something is better than nothing.” Congratulations on your success!
Cecilia
You’re very wise to realize where your time and energy is best spent, Cecelia. But also wise to keep on writing–even if only a few words a day/week. It will make it so much easier to write when you do have some time to spare if you keep at it.