A writer spends hours, months, and even years in isolation practicing their art. But it can feel like the gerbil in the cage running on its wheel. They go forward a few steps and back a few steps. They might even get turned upside down only to fall, often without anyone to notice. While there is length to the journey, it doesn’t always seem to be going anywhere.
Eventually, their craft improves to the point that it can be taken into the marketplace. There, it can become an expression of their very soul. The artist pours everything they have into that event.
And despite the years of work, all the audience cares about is whether or not the performer sticks the dismount. (Anyone watching gymnastics knows what I’m talking about. And now I’m mixing metaphors.)
Seems a bit depressing when expressed like that. But, in some ways, that is the life of the artist … the writer, the painter, the dancer, the musician. You didn’t get into it because you knew you’d be a bazillionaire. You are an artist because it is a part of who you are. And in that, there is beauty. In that, there is meaning. In that, there is praise for our Creator. In that moment, your reader is taken to a place where they have never traveled before. Even if for just a moment. A new thought. A sudden gasp. A new set of goosebumps.
I watched my daughters perform as musicians and dancers for nearly their whole lives. I have seen the hours of practice, the sacrifice, the pain, and the frustration behind the scenes. But I also have been privileged to see the inexpressible joy well from within them as they create beauty.
Therefore, while you may toil away at your keyboard feeling like you are on the gerbil wheel of the writing life, in actuality, after today, you are one step closer to making something great.
I agree that’s a perfect metaphor.
I have long held that “many called, few chosen”, alludes to this very idea. Its easy to be called, another thing to qualify for selection – ask a Marine or a University Student. Persistence matters to God. It refines us and slowly draws opportunity and preparation to an intersection. It is so tough, lonely and despairing to keep going that the bible uses the desert as a metaphor for such journeys – because deserts have no obvious end or beginning, rarely have defined tracks or pathways, oft present the mirage of false hope and generally offer scant refuge for our souls. Yet, the likes of Moses, the first great writer, David, the great romantic writer and Paul, the great letter writer, all emerged from such wastelands – to shake their worlds and worlds yet to come. So God calls many, but few respond, fewer persist and potentially only one or two reach the pinnacles of destiny that ultimately set extraordinary souls apart from the background. In the process, God uses pile drivers to set truth so deeply in their hearts and minds, that they will walk past those who would cast them off cliffs or crown them – for by then they will not only be relevant, but immoveable.
The writer’s life does feel like being on a gerbil wheel sometimes. I like the hope you offer: as we continue to work our craft, we move closer to creating something great. Anything worth doing takes lots of work.
The video is fascinating! Thanks for sharing it.
My life is now a gerbil wheel
with bearings nearly frozen,
and there can be no appeal
to that fate which has chosen
to make me push on through the grind
against the falling night,
but in the dark of blood I find
thanks that I just might
raise a curtain with my words
an inch, or maybe two,
kneel to look beneath the hem towards
another brighter view,
a place of warming rising sun
where eternal joy has just begun.
***
God, please.
Andrew, your words have raised the curtain far more than an inch or two. I am sure that eternal joy is yours, brother. Blessings
I agree!
This post gets to me in many ways.
My favorite author quote is from Isaac Asimov: “I write for the same reason I breathe. Because if I didn’t, I would die.”
I feel the same with writing. I do it because I can’t not do it. That obedience alone give me great joy.
Thank you for this reminder today.
We are always journeying toward The One who created us to be creatives.
This is a beautiful post, Steve, and a further testament to the defining quality of your agency. Yes, bazillions of dollars are not only nice, but at least some fraction of that amount is necessary in the writing business. For us writers of Christian faith, we write for the reasons you state, in the same way that all artists do what they do. But for us there is something even more – the hope and prayer that our words will touch souls and have an impact on the highest goal – building the Kingdom of God.
Writing is art, yes! And not every word is a masterpiece.
Thanks for the amusing yet truthfiul perspective. It’s wonderful encouragement amidst the irony of the gerbil writing life. To write in praise to Him who inspires my creativity brings me joy. Most days. 🙂
Thank you for this, Steve.
I don’t feel like a gerbil, necessarily, but you made a great point, Steve!
Thanks. Encouraging.
Thank-you. Very encouraging.
Such an encouraging and beautiful perspective. Thanks for sharing it!
Thank you for touching my soul with your words today. I love how a single sentence can ignite a million memories—reminding me of a path paved over decades, practiced ritualistically, and wholly unseen:
“They might even get turned upside down only to fall, often without anyone to notice.”
Just moments ago, I was outside, walking around my yard, planting footsteps in the Earth and talking to God. I’m a writer, and perhaps to some, that seems unusual from the outside—always in my head, writing, dictating into my phone, or rushing to grab it so I don’t miss a moment of connection.
I know God is preparing me to stop doing this work alone. Your agency has been one of the top recommendations I’ve received, and I’ve been wrestling with how best to reach out.
Until then, I’ll keep practicing my instrument of intellect—and waiting for His perfect timing.
All my best,
Kellie J. Wright
I know God is ready for me to stop doing this alone, and your agency is one of the top suggestions I’ve received, so I’ve been wrestling with how to reach out. I will continue to practice my instrument of intellect until then.
Oh, how true! We keep on keeping on even if we’re flipped upside down.