Writing in Obedience - M. Laycock

I wandered through one of my favourite bookstores recently, amazed at the number of books on the shelves. The fiction section alone was five rows deep. I love reading so you would think it would be thrilling to see all those books. But on that day I found my spirits dropping. How could I expect to compete with all of this? Why keep tapping out more words when there are already so many out there?

I headed for the exit. Something shiny on the check-out counter caught my eye. I stepped closer. It was a silver ring, a big one, with words engraved on it. I picked it up and read: "The World is Waiting to Hear Your Story." Oh. I bought the ring.

The next morning I read a blog by another writer. Mike Duran wrote - "if you’re really called to be a writer, the biggest risk is not saying something. It’s shutting up." Oh.

Then I read a post by Mary DeMuth in which she gives ten ways to know if you are called to write. I checked off each one without hesitation. Oh.

Then I got an email from a publisher asking for an article. "You've been kind of quiet lately," she said. "Yes," I agreed, softly. Oh.

I flipped through my list of excuses in my mind. "I've been ill." Right. "My energy level still isn't what it was." Right. "Promoting my new novel is a priority right now." Right. But none of them salved my conscience. The message was getting louder: Write. Oh.

And then I realized it was all my fault. Now that my second novel has been published, I'd prayed that God would show me what to do next. And He did. But it's a project I have misgivings about. The story has been flowing through my head incessantly for some time but it's not what I thought I would do next. Really, Lord? Is this what you want me to do?

Then I remembered something a friend said when she told me she was writing a novel. "I don't do fiction," she said. "I'm a poet. But God has made it clear this is what He wants. I guess sometimes writing is pure obedience." Oh. I read her manuscript recently and it's wonderful. I'm sure God has great things planned for it.

So I've begun this new project, and it is pure obedience. Only He knows what He intends. I guess all I have to do is write. Oh. 

"May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us ... yes, establish the work of our hands" (Psalm 90:17). 

Marcia was the winner of the Best New Canadian Christian Author Award for her debut novel, One Smooth Stone. Visit Marcia's website - www.vinemarc.com to learn about her new release, A Tumbled Stone and her ebook devotional for writers, Abundant Rain

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Speaking encouragement: Investing in writers' lives

“God didn’t set us up for an angry rejection but for salvation by our Master, Jesus Christ. He died for us, a death that triggered life. Whether we’re awake with the living or asleep with the dead, we’re alive with him! So speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you'll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind. I know you're already doing this; just keep on doing it” (1 Thessalonians 5: 9-11 [The Message]).

Writing fiction is a solitary pursuit. Much of the time we authors are alone (if you don’t count the cast of characters mouthing off in our heads) and it can be easy to lose heart—to wonder if what we’re doing matters to anyone but us.

That’s why opportunities like the American Christian Fiction Writer’s Genesis Contest and the Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writers Guild’s Operation First Novel contest can be seen as balms to a writer’s tired soul—a much needed validation. Certainly, when I finaled in the Genesis two years running, I took that as confirmation.

But, I didn’t win. Either year.

So I started to question my ability—my calling—and I set aside my keyboard for a time and turned my focus to editing. I became discouraged.

I’m concerned too many others place the focus on the wrong thing in entering contests—validation—and do the same.

No wasted time

One writer who takes a different approach is Jennifer Slattery, one of the five finalists in the 2010 Operation First Novel (OFN) contest with her entry, Impossible Choices.

“I used to struggle with discouragement and would spend days moping,” Jennifer says. “God always drew me back to His will. Only in the meantime, I’d lost countless hours of productivity.

“I finally decided, either I believe God has a plan for my life or I don’t. Either I believe He’s in control or I don’t. If He’s in control, what is there to be discouraged about? A rejection letter or a harsh critique is not going to divert His plan. In fact, it could be part of His plan.”

Discouraging discouragement

This year the Guild received 139 full manuscript entries in our contest. In 2010, ACFW received almost 500 entries (15 pages each) for the Genesis, according to contest coordinator Camy Tang.

Surprise! Not everyone is going to win. But everyone who enters any contest wins a more important battle. You’ve beaten back the voice of discouragement and put your words out there—the words God gave you. That’s no small accomplishment.

As Diana Prusik, an OFN finalist this year (with Delivery) and in 2008 and a semifinalist in 2009 says, “I am most thankful to those who have met with success in the writing and publishing worlds and who still take the time to encourage aspiring novelists like me!”

Encouragement from others in the business is helpful as we pursue our solitary ministry. Another OFN finalist, Kimberley Gardner Graham (The Rockinghorse of Tuscumbia), admits to feeling “relief” at learning she finaled. “It was as if someone handed me a huge plaque that read, ‘You’re Not Crazy.’”

So I do want to “speak encouraging words” into other writer’s lives. To “build up hope” that, regardless of contest placement, what you are doing matters. But I also want to encourage writers that while the accolades are nice and you should enjoy them, they don’t validate God’s call on your life.

To paraphrase Jennifer, God already knows what you’re going to accomplish, has gifted you to fulfill His plan, and is at work training you.

“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.” (Ephesians 2:10, NLT)

More on Operation First Novel

See the five finalists for The Guild’s 2010 Operation First Novel contest. On Feb. 10, 2011, at the Writing for the Soul conference in Denver CO, one will win $20,000 and a publishing contract from Tyndale House.

To attend the Writing for the Soul conference, visit our website to register or call 866.495.5177.

Learn about the rules and submission requirements for the 2011 Operation First Novel contest here.


Michael Ehret is the Editor-in-Chief for the Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writers Guild. He has written for newspapers and other print and online outlets. He edited several nonfiction books, was the senior editor for a faith-based financial services and insurance organization, and is the ezine editor for American Christian Fiction Writers.

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Equipped or Called?

An aspiring writer emailed me for help in getting her novel published. I asked if she had a critique group. She told me, "No. God called me to write this story, so it doesn't need any critiquing."

Why do we do that to ourselves? Jesus called the disciples, too, but He didn't tell them to go out and preach right away. For three long years, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, He taught them. They were clumsy at first but learned how to do what they'd been called to do.

I believe talent is a gift from God. But it comes with some assembly required. I may have been called to write, but I had to learn the craft and how to do it well.

The day my husband told me to quit trying to find a new job and write a book, I thought the man had lost his marbles. Me? Write a whole book? Sure, I'd written and published a bunch of plays, but those were all dialogue. I knew nothing about writing a novel. But he insisted I could. So,

I sat down and listed my skills—what I did know:

• I took a creative writing class in high school.

• I acted in community theatre (that just made me an amateur actor)

• I'm a whiz at making props (give me a glue gun and some duct tape and I can make anything!)

• I'd been a lobbyist (that only meant I could talk, and that was no surprise)

• I'd been a hairdresser (did John the Baptist ever use one?)

I looked at my pitiful credentials and asked God, "Whatever are you thinking?" The only thing on that list that I could see as useful was the creative writing class. Too bad I didn't remember anything about it. However, I'd always heard that God equipped the called. I just wish someone had told me sooner how to find the equipment room.

After some anguished and angst filled prayers, I sat my behind in a chair at the computer and started writing. I joined an online critique group and took advantage of every conference and workshop I could. I learned, I wrote and edited and rewrote. I progressed from those first desperate prayers to honing my craft into something readable. Whodda thunk it?

My talent is the gift of storytelling. It's a talent I was born with. Of course, back in my childhood, the principal of my elementary school called it lying. I called it creative embellishment. But my love of telling stories never died. And once I began to write, I found what I'd been created to do.

A church drama-director friend of mine, the late Betty Hamm, said, "Drama brings life to our stories. Drama brings Christ's stories to our eyes. Drama uses our senses and draws us in, and when we least expect it, touches, teaches and transforms us."

It's true. People let down their guard when they think they're being entertained. A well-written novel is pure entertainment just like drama, and within its pages, we can weave life-changing truths.

It's our job to constantly strive to improve our craft. Just because that young writer was called doesn't mean her work is ready. It takes most authors an average of four novels in their computer before they publish.

So, join a critique group, go to conferences, get a mentor, and hone your craft. After all, God deserves our best, right? So write on!

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