Discouraged...prayer needed.

[Shekinah Glory]

I am writing articles online and around the community. I am now starting to write for magazines. Writing has been in my heart since I was little. I wrote a kids book at the age of 8 or so. I also wrote romance novels when I went through puberty :rolleyes: and now seriously I am saved and have wanted to write books for about 4 years now. HAVEN'T YET. Why, because I am a full time job working, full time mother of 4 girls of 13 years to 2 months and full time of a full time youth pastor with dreams of his own to fulfill. Recently he told me his ex girlfriend just published a book and she has 2 kids, husband and she is an asscociate pastor. It only bothered me he told me at all because I want to write and get these books out of me...(ok and it kinda hurt my feelings)...they are STUCK and wiggling to get out! Help. Lord what do I do? Days go on and then years and I don't want to be 50 and say, aw man I should have wrote that book as I look at it already published and written by someone else. Maybe in 20 years, there will be no more books but everything in digital? Then what? As my daughter comes and says every 20 minutes, "Mommy, I am hunry"...that's how she pronounces it. I just push it offffffffffff. I have been motivate more because of others accomplishments but find it harder because honestly I don't know where to start with these books and feel I am not smart enough with the "writing mind" to keep people interested. I HATE rejection and hope someone here can tell me what is wrong with me or at least what the problem is. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Shekinah Glory
(user name means the feminine side of God, his presence)

[Merry]

Well, just remember, 'I' before 'e' except after 'c.' Actually, that was about all the initial advice I ever received when it came to writing....so I have had to figure out a few things. I feel your pain when it comes to the time and writing part of this, I am a single parent, with a full time job and usually get brushed off on all things I attempt to accomplish in one way or another...or at least it often feels that way.. I guess all you can do is laugh that part of it off, and that's probably why it says the Joy of the Lord is my strength.

BUt from a practical stance: I would start out keeping a journal...catch blurbs of things everyday. You might be a perfect candidate for blogging. That way you can back log a whole lot of general ideas and just get writing practice as you go. A lady who published 40 books and was my mentor for a while said if you write for at least 20 minutes day you will become a fairly good writer. Obviously you have the desire and you have something to say...so just write. Practice and see where God leads you. :)

PS-

As to priorities, yeah, I love writing, want to do more with it, etc...but I always think of the author of the Winnie the Pooh series. He wrote the most famous children series I know, except his children hated him because he ignored them for the sake of his writing.
A best seller wouldn't be worth it if my kids are unhappy. So there are plenty of times I don't write until my guys are sound asleep...if I get around to it at all. As women we tend to have seasons of our lives when certain things are more easily accomplished and should have greater attention than others, you just have to ask God what season it is for you.

[DrRita]

Dear Lord,
I want to pray for my sister who feels as though she will never get to acomplish her hearts desire. I pray she would recognize the enemy's slippery lies and not listen to him. I pray she will see that you will be able to do through her what she desires you to do-- write those books. I pray she can see clearly your shining face. Let her know you are able to write through here even in the midst of her busy life. Please give her an inspiration as to how she might do this, when whe might find time to write and make her time productive so when she does write, it will flow from your spirit. Don't let her believe that she is missing the boat--that is a lies straight only from the enemy. Let her rejoice in other's successes so she wil receive blessings back. May your peace abound in her to your glory. Amen.

[Shekinah Glory]

I agree with your prayer and comments. The devil is a liar. Annddd...my kids are more important...I did not know that about the Winnie the Pooh author. I love Winnie and the crew. I feel a lot better and realize the season is coming very fast where I wont have to work anymore HOPEFULLY. thank you. soooo much for replying and praying and caring. !thumbsup!
I will write those books and hopefully will get them all out of me...

[gdoubleu]

Try not to let yourself become too dishearted about this. These books are in you and have been for awhile so you've said. I read somewhere that because of "Writer's Block" or fear we can find a cupboard to clean or a floor to mop to keep us from putting pen to paper.

I admire and salute you that your children come first. They are true gifts from God and on loan to us from Him. You are doing as it should be. Your community may be blessed by the articules you have written. The magazines may profit by your input as well. How very kind to contribute. Now you need to contribute to yourself. You need to realize how dear and precious you are to your Creator.

He is true to give us the desires of our hearts. Take twenty minutes here or there and just begin. You owe it to yourself. Don't worry about down the road. Just start.

I say this to you because in the last two weeks, I myself, have heard the very same advise at least a hundred times.

Good luck and may the Lord bless your writing, and your shedule.

[Write4Christ]

Dear Shekina Glory,
I think it's great you want to write, and although I'm not a parent, and don't share the worry of disregarding your kids for the sake of a novel, I do relate in having to find time to write. I live in a family of eight kids (we were blessed with adopting three little boys in February, and are hoping to get more) and between track, soccer, my horse, and all the activities the family participates in, it's not easy to find just twenty minutes to myself. That's when i decided to ask God for help. I prayed, Lord if you want me to write this novel then let me find the time to do it. Bless me with the words and give me the oppertunity I need.
After that my story began to slowly increase, and I'm now on the 17th chapter. Thank you so much for taking the time to read my email, and next time you feel discouraged just talk to God. He'll help!

When in doubt, pray!! !thumbsup!

[writefx]

I think that every aspiring artists downfall is comparisons. As soon as you go down that road it kills sponteneity (how do you spell that?) and takes all the fun out of following your passion.

If you are really determined then you will find time. But if you have any fear regarding your writing then you are likely to come up with heaps of excuses why now is not the right time.

If it is God's will then you will write and get those stories out.

I hope that you will find pleasure in writing again.

[rodojeki]

The enemy loves to come in and destroy what you hold dear, whether is be to further yourself in your writing or dedicate your time to your children. I am one of those fifty year olds and mother of two teenage daughters, full time wife of twenty two years. There is none of it I would trade as our walk through life took us from unsaved to His saving grace only seven years ago. Be still and know He is God and listen for His whispers as he guides you because sometimes yes, He only whispers. " And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God to those who are the called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28. I can attest this much, your babies will be grown before you know it, hold them close in your arms and love them and know God has blessed you abundantly.

[Epic]

You obviously have it in you. Even your post is readable, interesting, relevant and flows nicely. Writing is not your problem, as you said, it's time.

In agreement with the other posts, even a short time writing everyday will give you some wonderful momentum. It never has to be any good (and many times it won't be) and no one ever has to see it, but it will give you some much-needed familiarly with the process of getting past the block. We're all pulling for you. Say up a little later or a little earlier and make it happen.

[writegirl1949]

Shekaniah Glory:

I truly understand your concerns. I'm one of those that waited and recently went through some troubling times ... was I too late to serve God with my writing. God, in His loving grace and kindness, pointed out that everything I've been through has made me the person I am today ... and I cringe at what I might have written from a weaker perspective. Yes, I'm still growing, but I'm also at a point where I feel God's given me direction in my writing. My first book was one I couldn't not write .

I admire your dedication to your children. While I have but one child, my focus was on career. Satan can use a multitude of enticements to divert our attention. I can only say that you are exactly where God wants you to be. The comments made thus far are excellent suggestions. You have to "keep on keeping on," as you feel God leads you.

Don't let a lack of education or experience deter you either. I began a career in journalism based on just a few things: first, the desire to write; second, a lot of "volunteer" credits; and third, the willingness to learn.

If you are interested in books that might help, here are a few I would suggest:

"Writer to Writer" by Bodie & Brock Thoene. This one is good because there are exercises you can do based on the content of the book.

"On Writing," by Stephen King. While King isn't a Christian and one needs to overlook some of his language, he really gives some great advice.

"Writing Down the Bones," by Natalie Goldberg. I haven't read this one yet ... just picked it up on my recent trip back home, but it's been one recommend by many successful writers.

"The Writer's Guide to Character Traits," by Linda N. Edelstein, Ph.D. Have only just peeked inside this book but found it to be exactly what I need to lend a sense of depth and reality to my characters.

And finally, "The Elements of Style," by William Strunk and E.B. White. This is a must for any writer.

I'm sure there are other books out there, some probably more helpful than these. But I figured that along with some encouragement, having something in hand to begin guiding you is worth ... well, forget the cliche. :rolleyes:

It's so hard for writers to ignore the success of others, particularly those whose circumstances are similar to our own. But I've got to go back to something I said in another thread here about quiet time. We can't get wrapped up in the should've, would've, could've way of thinking. It only keeps us from writing.

My prayer is that God will show you exactly where He wants you and use you in the unique plans He has for your life.

Francine

[Lanie]

I can truly relate to your discouraged emotions. I too feel that way. It happened when a childhood friend called and reported what has become of him. What has become of him is the one he related to me when we were just kids and starting dreaming. As a reaction, I re-evaluated myself and what has become of me. I'm too far from all the things I blabber about when I was 12 years old.

But when I was a child, I never realized that a woman needs to sacrifice her "career" or whatever she has set her mind as a child for her children who are starting to dream too. I have nothing in me to draw strengths from, but to God who is the author of dreams. Then I started to count my blessings. I have kids who understand God's existence and do agree with the Bible. Plus, I exerted less efforts on helping my kids unlearn the things that they should not learn during my absence. I was there when my sons started to ask science-related and weird questions like: "Why do my eyes hurt when I opened my eyes from sleep as Mommy turns on the light." This is one of the times that I am grateful I studied well in my younger years and find education important. These are the times when I realized the importance of knowing the seemingly unimportant details of education like amoeba, paramecium, molecular structure and all those stuf.

Going back to dreams, in this case, writing, God in all his wisdom has predestined everything according to His good purpose. I firmly believe that everything that has happened in this world and specifically in our lives did not occur as trivial chances and random events. The Bible says that no sparrow falls on the ground without God knowing it. In each down situation of our life, (though my husband says there are no "downs" the difference is the angle of the climb), the knowledge of the sovereignty of God has comforted me.

As for me, I never thought that I was side tracked when I parked my dreams for a while and focused on my children. In a worldly point of view, they can brand this as sour graping but it's not. However, in situations that I really failed because I did not do what I am supposed to have started long before, then it is better late than never. John Maxwell said there are no failures only lessons.

This is where failing forward starts.

God bless and actively wait for your success at the end.

[battinsis]

Be encouraged and be glad for this season of your life. It may not feel like it now, but this season you are in, raising up your children is oh so short.
Give yourself some credit and trust God to show you ways to make the dreams of your heart come to pass.
Patience is not my strong suit, but I'm learning that it's what God likes to see me wearing. Just knowing that God wants what is best for us allows me to live in the moment instead of fretting about the what ifs.
Take a deep breath, stay in his presence and wait to see what he's going to do.

[Diannecp]

Hey there, I want to chime in with the others and offer my prayers and encouragement.

One thing that's helped me is learning to content myself with taking small bites where writing is concerned. Merry's suggestion about blogging might be worth checking out. I've been blogging for nearly a year now and hey, it helps. Buy some small notebooks and keep one in your purse, one by your bed, one where you read, etc. and everytime you get an idea, jot it down. I try to have many options to write everyday and as long as I did something, at the end of the day I can say, "Hey, I got 200 words down today!" I have learned to be happy with the baby steps.

[justonevoice]

!thumbsup! Look around you, how can you fail with all this love surrounding you? We are all behind you but better than that God is for you. !thumbsup!

I agree with everyone else, write when you can,and try to make a little time here and there. I am a grandma raising a six year old boy so I know the trials of trying to make time for me. Just do your best, and take the time you need for you. The one thing I've always struggled with is, that this made me a bad mother. My kids were fed and bathed and loved, and I even played a game or two ( understatement) but there comes a time to make the time. Maybe you can find someone bto babysit for a couple of hours a day!!! Just a suggestion.

Hang in there, you are a winner!

[FireFeet]

I think that being held back from our writing, for whatever reasons, increases our hunger to do so and makes us more appreciative of the gift that God has blessed us with.

(I just went through an 8-month season of working a job that was so exhausting mentally and emotionally that it stole from me the ability to brainstorm and create and write. I got fired on Monday (which is stress of a whole different form!) but I'm so grateful to again have the ability and time to write that it makes me weep.)

HTH :)

[alicelewis]

One piece of advice from a writing book that has helped me a lot is ...On your first draft give yourself permission to write perfectly awful stuff...Never mind spelling, grammer, syntax, etc. etc. Just write your heart. When you have enough of such scribbled, horrible stuff, then you have something that you can rewrite and shape into a chapter or article.

I don't think I could have written my book at all had I not heeded that piece of advice.

Alice
http://wordsfromagarden.blogspot.com :cool:

[NuWriter]

Remember I was the one saying "I don't know if I can do it?" You are not alone! You were telling me " do it just write!" Now I have an idea for you:
Get a pocket sized tape recorder, whenever you have an idea for a story just pull it out and start talking. Then you can play it back and type everything out when your kids are in bed! Also, it might really come in handy to capture those funny things your kids say when you least expect them.
Just an idea, be a mother first. If you are truly set on writing, God will honor that desire.
I will be praying for you