I know I promised you the final blog on accountability partners, but as I’ve talked with publishing folks and friends the last few weeks I’ve noticed a theme: Discouragement.
It’s a well-documented fact that people struggle with depression and discouragement more during the holidays than any other time of the year. I wonder sometimes if writers are among the most discouraged. Part of it, I’m sure, has to do with the in-and-out of finances this time of year—as in nowhere near as much coming in as is going out. I also think writers, introspective souls that we are, tend to look back on the year when December hits. You know, assess how we’ve done on meeting our NaNoWriMo or publishing goals. Many of us are forced to face what is rather than what we’d hoped would be.
Don’t you wish sometimes that you could write the story of your life? That you could tie up all the loose ends, show how even the hardest times are all a part of God’s plan to refine and restore? That we could craft a life where no one loses health insurance, jobs, or homes. And of course, in our wonderfully crafted story, family gatherings would be just like those heart-warming Norman Rockwell paintings, where everyone is smiling and happy and full of joy. But no, instead of Rockwell, we get a scene from Chevy Chase’s “Christmas Vacation.” As for the job of writing or publishing, well, what a year it’s been, what with publishers shutting down lines, editors being laid off, advances getting cut in half, contracts being cancelled…
Okay, now I’m discouraged!
Interestingly enough, a number of my clients and I have been developing a workshop on this exact topic. We’ve been talking about the different faces of discouragement we face as writers and how to deal with them. So for the next several weeks, I’m going to bring you guest blogs from these wonderful writers:
Nancy Farrier
Roseanna White
Erin Taylor Young
Mesu Andrews
My prayer is that their words will speak to your hearts, bring you insights and encouragement that will last far beyond the holiday season. So stay tuned to the first installment next week.
Until then, I’d like to open the floor for you to share anything you’d like us all to pray about for you. Any discouragement or worry, concern or frustration. Remember, you’re not alone.
Not by a long shot.
