Inspiration

A Writer’s Evening Prayer

By Bob Hostetleron October 16, 2019

A Writer’s Evening Prayer
(based on “An Evening Prayer” by C. Maud Battersby)

__________

If I have failed to heed your voice today,

If I have driven any of your thoughts away,

If I have written my own willful way:

Dear Lord, forgive!

If I have written idle words or vain,

If I have worked for earthly gain,

If my words should bring one soul pain,

Dear Lord, forgive!

If I appropriated words not mine,

If I failed to give a credit line,

If I’ve cast my pearls before swine,

Dear Lord, forgive!

If I’ve failed in substance or in style,

If in anything I’ve stooped to guile,

If I’ve failed at all to win your smile,

Dear Lord, forgive!

Forgive the sins I have confessed to you,

Forgive the sins I don’t know I do,

And make my writing both good and true;

All else forgive.

Amen.

Several weeks ago, I posted some of the responses I received from some of my favorite writers (who are also clients) to the question, “Do you motivate yourself to write with a ‘carrot’ (reward) or a ‘stick?’” I was fascinated by the volume and variety of the responses, the last of which I relay below. I hope you find them as enlightening and encouraging as I do. “When I’m facing a deadline, …

Category: Encouragement, Inspiration, The Writing Life

I Almost Quit Writing

By Bob Hostetleron October 2, 2019

Nearly twenty years ago, I was totally spent as a writer. I’d endured a three-year process of revision and revulsion on one book that had me doubting my ability and drained of all enthusiasm for writing. I’d had a good run. I’d authored or coauthored numerous articles and books. I’d won awards and appeared on best-seller lists. I didn’t need the stresses of editing and revision, contracts and …

Category: Inspiration, Personal, The Writing Life

Another Writer’s Hymn

By Bob Hostetleron September 25, 2019

Another Writer’s Hymn (based on and drawing from a hymn by William Freeman Lloyd) __________ My times are in your hand; my God, I wish them there; my life, my soul, my words, I leave entirely to your care. My times are in your hand, whatever I may do; to write, to publish, soon or late, as may seem best to you. My times are in your hand; I need not rush or fear; I know your hand will never cause …

Category: Inspiration, Theology

Where Do You Get Your Ideas?

By Bob Hostetleron September 4, 2019

“Where do you get your ideas?” This question was reportedly posed to Stephen King at a writers conference in New England. His answer may seem harsh, but it’s illuminating: “If you have to ask, don’t become a writer.” Most working writers have little trouble coming up with ideas. In fact, most have more ideas for writing projects than they could possibly complete in a lifetime. Ideas can come from …

Category: Book Proposals, Career, Inspiration, The Writing Life

Why I Write: 20 Reasons

By Bob Hostetleron July 17, 2019

Different people write for different reasons. Some for money. Some for fame. Some for posterity, and some for popularity. John, the author of the fourth Gospel, said he wrote “that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:30, NIV). That may be the best answer of all time to the question, “Why do you …

Category: Career, Encouragement, Inspiration, The Writing Life

Dealing with Bad Publishing News

By Steve Laubeon July 15, 2019

Remember the media principle of “if it bleeds it leads,” which means bad news or salacious headlines are designed to grab our attention. When authors are constantly barraged by bad news, it can be demotivating at the very least. I’m sure sales for your book could be better. I’m with you. Instead, you might consider the number that have sold. If it is only 100 copies, put …

Category: Book Business, Book Sales, Encouragement, Inspiration, The Writing Life

A Writer’s Hymn

By Bob Hostetleron June 12, 2019

A Writer’s Hymn (based on and drawing from a hymn by Frances Ridley Havergal) Take my life, and let it be consecrated, Lord, to Thee. Take my moments and my days; let them flow in ceaseless praise. Take my hands, and let them move at the impulse of Thy love. Take my intellect, and use every power as Thou shalt choose. Take my keyboard, and my screen; my desk and office chair, My …

Category: Inspiration

My Favorite Blog Comments

By Bob Hostetleron May 29, 2019

If you’re reading these words, you’re probably aware of the richly informative and entertaining blog posts the agents of the Steve Laube Agency post daily (Monday-Friday). I’m constantly amazed by the wealth of free and valuable information my colleagues share (and I pitch in every Wednesday with some drivel of my own). As helpful as I try to be in my posts, it’s consistently the comments that …

Category: Encouragement, Inspiration

Prayers for the New Year

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon January 10, 2019

I was reading an old prayer book when I discovered this: My God, grant that I may love Thee, and let the only reward of my love be to love Thee more and more. I decided to make this one of my primary prayers for 2019. Perhaps you can think about this prayer, too. When your book is rejected: My God, grant that I may love Thee, and let the only reward of my love be to love Thee more and more. When …

Category: Inspiration, Theology