Hey, fellow wordsmiths! Let’s talk about something we all seem to struggle with: those self-imposed deadlines that we believe will catapult us into the publishing stratosphere. I get it; we’re hungry, we’re driven, and we’ve got stories burning within us. But, my friends, there’s a fine line between ambition and self-sabotage. So, grab your favorite writing beverage (I have my cup of coffee in hand), settle into your creative nook, and let’s chat about why it’s time to bid adieu to those made-up timelines.
Slow Down, Breathe, and Embrace the Journey
Okay, confession time. Who else has set a deadline to finish their magnum opus in record time, only to find themselves typing furiously at 2 a.m. on a Tuesday, fueled by caffeine and sheer willpower? Guilty as charged. It’s tempting to believe that speed equates to success in the writing world; but here’s a reality check: publishing is slow.
Letting go of those made-up timelines isn’t an admission of defeat; it’s an acknowledgment that the writing process is an art, not a race. Sacrificing downtime, leisure, and family time for the sake of a self-imposed deadline can lead to burnout faster than a poorly chosen pen name. It’s okay if your journey to publication takes time. After all, great writing needs to marinate.
So, take a breath. Embrace the fact that writing is a process, not a sprint. The work of Christian writing deserves the time it takes to unfold naturally.
Consistency Over Content Floods
Ever felt the pressure to produce a flood of content at once, only to end up drowning your audience in a sea of words? It happens to the best of us. Here’s a nugget of wisdom: consistency trumps a content tsunami. Yes, it’s crucial to write often, but it’s equally vital to maintain a steady flow of quality content.
Building a readership is like crafting a masterpiece. You want your audience to savor each brushstroke, not be overwhelmed by a paint spill. Think of it as a relationship; you wouldn’t bombard a new friend with your entire life story in one sitting, right?
So, ditch the pressure to flood your audience and focus on building a connection through regular, meaningful content. Your craft will thank you, and so will your readers.
Understand the Marathon: Proposal to Print Takes Time
Let’s talk about the publishing timeline, shall we? From the moment you pen that first word to the glorious day your book hits the shelves, you’re in for a marathon, not a sprint. Crafting a compelling proposal, navigating the pitch process, and finally seeing your words in print—all of this takes time. Patience is the key.
But, you might be thinking, “I’ve got a goal to hit this year!” Absolutely, set your goals, plan your year; but here’s the kicker: don’t sacrifice everything else in the process. Missing your kids’ sporting events, neglecting self-care, and becoming a writing hermit for a year won’t guarantee success.
Plan and prepare, yes, but not at the expense of your well-being and the relationships that matter most. The journey is as important as the destination. Remember, a well-balanced life fuels creativity. And, you don’t want to see your name on the spine of a book and think I paid more for than I realized.
Plan, Prepare, and Enjoy the Ride
In a world obsessed with instant gratification, it’s time for us writers to champion patience and embrace the art of slow progress. So, plan and prepare for your writing year, set realistic goals, but don’t let made-up deadlines become the ruler of your creative kingdom.
Let go of the unnecessary sacrifices. Your work will unfold beautifully in its own time. Consistency in your writing practice will build a loyal readership, and understanding the lengthy publishing process will keep you grounded in reality.
So, dear writer, toast to a year of patient progress, creative consistency, and a journey well enjoyed. After all, the work of Christian writing and publishing isn’t only about producing a product or meeting a goal, but is instead the result of following Jesus, one step at a time.
What I Am Looking For (Dan Balow)
I set myself a deadline;
literally, ’twas my death,
but now it’s one I must refine
with all my heart and breath,
’cause I have just now realised
that the God who saves my tears
has grace and passion that, combined
with my efforts down the years,
will set manuscripts a-wait for me,
unfinished, thought lost, found again,
and clap His hands in laughing glee
as I pick up my pen
to carry on what He’d assigned
to learn truth He had set me to find.
Your thoughts and encouragement were needed today. Well said, Megan!
Awesome! Happy writing, Ginny.
I need this. You were a channel for God to speak to my heart. Thank you.
I’m so glad, Janet. Work from a place of rest and remember that writing to publish is a long commitment- taking time and intentional strategy. Don’t burnout for the sake of the the “almighty deadline.”
As of this February I’ll have been writing for ten years. Last year I stumbled over an old post I made somewhere in which I was acting embarrassed that I’d been writing my book for two years. My current self looked at that post and thought, “Girl, you’d only been writing at all for two years at this point! Cut yourself some slack!” XD It ended up taking 6 years to finish the novel that I was talking about in that old post. That was far longer a time than my little baby writer self hoped it would take, but in that time I took breaks from that novel and wrote and finished a novella and multiple short stories, all of which taught me the skills I needed to finish the novel. You’re absolutely right that self-imposed deadlines often add completely unnecessary stress to our lives.
I echo everyone here – I needed this today! So much writing advice is the opposite of this. It’s about embracing the grind and putting writing first above all else. But when I do this, I only have regrets about not spending more time with family and friends, or even doing other things that make me happy. Writing becomes a chore.
This post gave me the permission I needed to ignore that other advice and stop stressing about “failing deadlines.”
Some of the best plot and character and points of interest have melded as months of labor and rest and labor and recreation. And sometimes it’ seemed God Himself whispered assurance that being published isn’t as important as doing my best in this and every other area of life. And life is good! God makes all things beautiful in His time.
God holds the plan for my writing ministry. Hard as I try, I can’t hurry-up His plan. There are no shortcuts, no work-arounds. I’m ready, my book is ready, my audience is ready when He says “now is the time.” Thank you, Megan, for this reminder.