Keep Your Head Above Water

I’ve been in this business for a long time, and have learned (at least in part) what to do (and what not to do) when things get tough. Here are some of my thoughts on how to keep your head above water when the road gets rough:

1. Timing:  Remember, we can’t rush the hand of God. If you remember that this business is about HIS timing, you will relax when you face rejections and/or disappointments. Here’s an example of how a typical “timing” scenario might play out: Maybe you have a project completed and you’re sure it’s going to sell this year. You go to a conference do all the right things, but you’re devastated when it doesn’t sell. The months tick by, and still the news is bad. After a year passes, you either say “I’m giving this up altogether” or you say, “I’m going to see what God has in mind” and go on to the next thing.  Here’s the key: Don’t let feelings of insecurity keep you from moving forward. Maybe you’ve written a great women fiction’s piece and this just isn’t the year for it. Go ahead and start the next project (if God lays it on your heart). And don’t be surprised if the second project sells the first! (I’ve actually seen this happen several times.)
   1. Have you ever found yourself fretting over God’s timing?
   1. What do you do when the days/weeks/months tick by?
   1. How can you turn the waiting into something positive?
   1. How can you better handle rejections?

• The Comparison Game:  Don’t play the comparison game. It’s so tempting in this industry, even as Christians, to compare ourselves with other writers. This can happen in your critique group, especially, but it can also happen when you read novels that your friends (or even “famous” authors) have written. Comparing is a huge problem for writers at every stage. (And trust me, it doesn’t get better as the years go on. Even if you’re published, you might discover that the book doesn’t make it into stores or get marketed correctly. You go to a conference and other authors are “elevated” when you’re not.) Be socareful not to compare. You’re not doing this to win the accolades of man; you’re not doing this to become famous. (If so, check your motives). You’re certainly not doing this to become rich (especially if you’re writing in the CBA). The only person you compare yourself against is YOU. “Did I write what God told me to write?” If you answer yes, then the rest is in HIS hands.
  • Have you ever found yourself fretting over God’s timing?
  • What do you do when the days/weeks/months tick by?
  • Have you checked your motives lately? Are you having any struggles in this area?
  • If so, what can/should you do about it?

• Don’t Go It Alone: It’s important to stay in communication with other writers, especially if you’re hoping to be published. I would strongly suggest you join a critique Group, as well as other Christian writing organization. (I suggest American Christian Fiction Writers and Writers Information Network.) Do NOT do this writing thing alone. You need other writers around you. They will “get” you. Your spouse, children, siblings, parents probably aren’t going to understand you, (especially when you start telling them that your characters are talking to you)! Other writers will. But, even with that said, be careful how much you take on. For example, in your critique group – only take on what you can afford to (time-wise). Don’t overwhelm yourself with other people’s projects. I once found myself in a situation where I was in two different critique groups (one fiction, one non-fiction). There were four of us in each group. That meant I had six other people to critique for each week (a chapter/week per person). By the time I finished critiquing their chapters, there was little time left over to do my own writing. I had to step away from one of the groups. 
  • Do you find writing a lonely occupation/hobby?
  • Have you joined a critique group?
  • If there is no group in your area, would you consider starting one?
  • How do you feel about people critiquing your work?
  • Can you see yourself getting in over your head if you’re not careful?

• Keeping a Schedule: This is especially important if you’re working outside the home Schedule/block your time. Here’s an example of what I had to do when my career was taking off: M/W/F: Novels; T/TH: Magazine articles. It worked well for me because I could switch gears. That same sort of schedule might not work for you. Just remember. . .Rome wasn’t built in a day. Unless you’re on a deadline with an editor/agent, don’t be too hard on yourself if you don’t meet all of your own deadlines. HOWEVER, you do need to set personal goals/deadlines. “By the end of Sept, I will have the first ten chapters of my novel done.” Don’t get in over your head. If you can’t really write a chapter/day, don’t base your goals on that. Be realistic. You’ve got a house, kids, spouse, job, etc. Keep that in mind. And be sure to schedule bill paying in, as well as Bible studies, church plans, etc. Keep everything in balance.
  • Are you scheduled?
  • Are you a goal setter?
  • What goals should you now set?
  • Are you writing in multiple genres? If so, how will you divide your days/time?

• Get a Life! Remember, you have a life outside of writing. Don’t overlook the real people (you know the ones—your spouse, children, parents, siblings, friends) to spend time with your characters. Here’s the primary way not to get in over your head… only do the things you absolutely feel God has given you to do. Pray about each one. Until you have a comfort level, don’t plow forward, even if your enthusiasm is high. There’s a certain amount of zeal/passion that goes along with writing that can be deadly. It’ll keep you up nights, etc. Be sure God is giving you His marching orders before you move forward.
  • Do you feel your writing life is balanced with your personal life?
  • Have you given up your “regular” life in order to write?
  • What can you do to keep things in balance?
  • Are you doing only the things God has given you to do?

• Get Plenty of Sleep and eat right: Check your body clock to see when you creativity time is. (This is done by taking your temperature every two hours over a 24 hour period. Theory is that you’re the most creative when your temperature is the highest.) Work during your “peak” timeyou’re your productivity will rise! Remember to get an adequate amount of sleep. Your writing/resting patterns must work with the others in your household. Talk it through with family members. Make sure they’re okay with your schedule. 
  • How are your sleeping patterns?
  • Are you eating right?
  • Have you scheduled this part of your life?

• Keep Thing in balance by Learning to Say No: Like all other writers, you need to learn to say the word “No” (even to some things you might want to do, like going to the mall or lunch with a friend when you need to finish a chapter or do the laundry). Remember, no isn’t a negative word. And people will eventually figure out that you’re not joking when you say, “Yes, I really am working. It just looks like I’m playing on the computer.” A friend of mine has a unique way to let others know when she’s working and doesn’t want to be disturbed. She sets timer, then lights a candle. If her family members/friends see the candle burning, they realize this isn’t a good time to bother her. When the timer goes off, she blows out the candle.
  • What’s the hardest thing about saying no?
  • Who do you have the hardest time saying no to?
  • Why?
  • How can you begin to change in this area?

• Watch how you view yourself:  You are a child of the King. Remember this! Don’t spend time putting yourself down. This is particularly tempting when you’re reading someone else’s book and you find yourself saying, “I’ll never be able to write like that.” God created us with unique gifts and abilities. You’re not meant to reach the same people that the other person is meant to reach. Your gifts and abilities are different. 
  • Do you ever feel like you’re not “worthy” to write?
  • When you get “low” – how do you view yourself?
  • What does God say about you?
  • How does He feel about your writing (and other talents)?
  • How will you begin to change the way you view yourself?

• Stay Organized: Organize your files on your computer so that they’re easily accessible. Back up your hard drive to a flash drive and/or the web. Keep your house organized. It’s good to know where everything is (print cartridges, paper, pens, books, etc.)
  • Are you organized? Do you know where everything is?
  • What rooms need the most work?
  • Are the files on your computer organized?
  • Do you need to hire someone to help you get things in order? If so, who would you consider?

1. Pay attention to physical comfort: Write at a place that is (physically) the best for you. Guard your hands. (I would suggest visiting Kathy Ide’s website to sign up for her “Typing without Pain” course. You will find it at www.thechristianpen.com). Make sure you have the right chair, keyboard, posture/position as you write. 
   1. Have you given much thought to this?
   1. Do you have a comfortable chair? 
   1. What can you do to protect your hands/wrists?

GO FORTH AND WRITE!I hope you’re encouraged after reading this lesson on keeping your head above water. Go forth and write. . .in Jesus’