Write2Ignite

Little by Little

Do you look at your writing journey as a process of taking the land of writing little by little, instead of all at once? Let me explain what I mean.

Many, many years ago, I completed my first book for middle grade readers. I knew without a doubt Mandee the Manatee was brilliant. It had drama. It had heart. It had conflict. Even the alliteration in the title was brilliant. This story needed no editing or correction. The book was gold, I’m telling you. Pure gold.

Although I had numerous articles and devotions published, this was my first full-length novel. I had so much to learn about novel writing, but I didn’t realize it. It’s really rather embarrassing to think about now. And even more embarrassing to admit to a group of fellow writers.

As you can imagine, Mandee the Manatee really wasn’t ready, and it definitely wasn’t gold. Maybe somewhere in the bronze category? After a lot of editing.

When I wrote Mandee, I didn’t see the flaws nor the lack of writing skill. I didn’t understand I had a long way to go to have a publication-ready manuscript. I didn’t realize I wasn’t ready for prime time. It takes years of reading books on the craft of writing, attending writer’s conferences, reading writing blogs, writing, revising, submitting, and more of the same to actually get a book published. Just ask anyone who has published a book.

As authors, we never stop learning. We never stop growing. We just never stop.

Feel Like Quitting?

The Write2Ignite Master Class just ended a little over a week ago. Hopefully, many of you attended. Maybe, as I did with Mandee, some of you who attended believed your work was ready to go. Then you found out otherwise. It hurt. It stung. Maybe it even made you want to throw in your pencil and quit.

If that’s where you are today, can I tell you something important? Don’t quit.

This comes from someone who has wanted to quit more times than I can remember. As recently as last month, to be honest.

If you are contemplating quitting writing altogether, maybe you should step back. Give yourself and your story some space. Take a couple deep breaths. Seek wise counsel from those who know what they’re doing. After that, reassess the situation.

Here’s why.

The Process is Gradual

We take the land of writing little by little. Just as the Israelites did when they entered the Promised Land after their exodus from Egypt.

But I won’t do all this in the first year, because the land would become poor, and wild animals would be everywhere. Instead, I will force out your enemies little by little and give your nation time to grow strong enough to take over the land. Exodus 23:29-30 (CEV)

God told them they would not take the land all at once. The process would be a gradual one. Little by little. The people weren’t ready to possess the land. They weren’t strong enough to occupy it. If they took the land too early, wild animals would be everywhere, and the land would be too poor to support future crops.

Does any of that sound similar to your writer’s journey?

The land can’t be taken all at once. It has to be taken little by little.

Why? Because we aren’t strong enough to accomplish all that goes into the writing process through publication and beyond, if we attempt it too early. And we certainly won’t be able to support any future crops we might plant if we rush the process.  

God’s Perfect Timing in Our Writing

It’s all about God’s perfect timing, right? How often do we hear that? But it’s true.

God’s plan for our writing journey is perfect. Even when we don’t understand it one bit. And especially when we disagree with how slow things are moving. Regardless of how sure we might feel that we’re ready to conquer the land, God knows best.

Obviously, if I’d gotten Mandee the Manatee published when I first finished it, I would not have been ready for publication in soooo many ways. Maybe you can say the same thing about your unrealized writing goals.

Your Turn

Waiting is difficult, is it not? However, it’s better to wait, than to go in too early and face the wild animals running amok everywhere.

So, what is God having you work on while you wait to take possession of the land of writing little by little?

I wish you well.

Here’s what you can expect from me. In my posts, you’ll find words of encouragement for writers, book reviews, and discussions on the craft of writing. I am a former elementary school teacher, regular contributor to Guideposts devotional books, and a conference speaker. I write articles, devotions, and stories for adult and children’s publications. You can find me every Tuesday and Thursday at www.sandykirbyquandt.com. Please stop by.