I Want to Hug Francine Rivers

Fact: Most of the time I struggle to write.

I started writing fairly late in life by most people’s standards (it was the year I turned 50) and because of that I always felt I had a lot of catching up to do. Because I had loads of ideas in my head - characters, conversations and conflict galore - I thought this writing thing would be a snack.

At first it was. Writing the first draft for A Simple Mistake was fantastic, the gift that kept on giving! It just flowed and flowed. The second one? Let’s not go there. And this third one isn't exactly racing along either although it’s getting a little easier as I get into it. 

I went to the Romance Writers of New Zealand conference back in August where I heard from two highly successful authors. One writes a 100,000 word novel every six months. The other writes FOUR that size a year and has three series on the go. Apparently, that’s the key to success. Writing fabulous novels very fast. I think my jaw is still on the floor of Waipuna Lodge where the conference was held.

So why haven’t the floodgates opened if I've got so many ideas? Some of the answers are obvious:

1.      I dream too much.

2.      I plot too much.

3.      I go off on tangents while researching.

4.      I get distracted by social media.

Those are easy to deal with in comparison to my bigger problem, one I’m sure many writers suffer from. 

Fear.

Fear that my ideas won’t look as good on the page as they appear in my head; that I’ll be the only one who loves my characters; that my sense of humour won’t translate well. Fear my dialogue won’t be as good this time around. Fear of writers’ block. Fear I’ll never finish the next book because of … well, fear!

I’ve been a Christian a looooong time. I know which scriptures to confess. I know how to pray. I know I can refer back to emails and Facebook messages and phone a friend when I need reassurance.

I got it in truck loads one morning when I read a link posted by Charis Joy Jackson on Facebook. (Consider yourself hugged too, Charis J)

If you would like to read the whole thing, here it is:
http://francinerivers.com/blog/creative-minds-are-seldom-tidy

These two quotes from Francine were a balm to my soul.

·          ‘The past two projects are showing me that writing does not get easier.  Not that I ever had any illusions that it would.  I just didn’t expect it to become more and more difficult.’ 

·          ‘During limbo times, the niggling fears come whispering.  Whatever gave you the idea you could be a writer?’ 

What? Francine Rivers has self-doubt?

Once my initial shock had morphed into a perverse delight (I mean that in the nicest possible way) I took a deep breath and made some decisions.

1.       I will do whatever it takes to become as good a writer as I can be. Hopefully that includes becoming faster.

2.      I will continue to write what I believe God is nudging me to write. (Oh, how I love those nudges!)

3.      I will not let fear cripple me.

4.      I will stop punishing myself and make it a habit to give my writing worries to God. (I John 4:18a – ‘There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.’)

So there it is; a confession straight from the heart.  I know I’m not alone - God knows when I need encouragement, like in Francine's blog post. And not only is He with me, but so are you, my fellow readers and writers. I take great comfort in that. 

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll get back to my manuscript …

About Andrea Grigg

Andrea writes contemporary romance. Her second novel Too Pretty was released on August 1 by Rhiza Press. Her first book A Simple Mistake was a finalist in the CALEB Awards 2012

Andrea would love to hear from you via her website or Facebook page:
http://www.andreagrigg.com/
https://www.facebook.com/author.andreagrigg

So, You Write?

by Jeanette O'Hagan

So, you write?

Children’s laughter and the hum of adult conversation swirl around us. The breeze ruffles the scented plants and wafts pungent smells of garlic and lemon balm towards us. The dancing foliage of the gum trees glint in the sunlight. The sky is a brilliant seamless blue. I lean back in the foldup chair, relaxing into this annual tradition. My friend leans forward, showing his teeth in a friendly smile.

‘So, what are you up to these days?’

‘This and that. I’ve almost finished my Masters in creative writing. I working on a number of writing projects.’

‘Ah.’ He strokes his chin. ‘So, what do you write?’

‘I blog a bit, write poetry and I’m writing a YA fantasy series.’

His eyes glaze over. He nods his head. ‘Mmmm… are you published yet?’

I shift in the sagging canvas chair. ‘Ah well. No, not yet. It takes a…’

He leans forward, his voice taking on the weighty tone of a priest. ‘You know, I’ve always thought that everyone should write at least one book.’

I bit my lip.

He means well. He is just trying to make conversation. He, like so many others, just doesn't understand that writing a book takes at least some talent, time (lots of it), passion, resilience and constant learning and refining of the craft. He has no idea how hard it is to claw one’s way out of the slush pile hoping to get one’s work published or how repeated rejections can plunge a writer into a deep pit of despair. 

Sometimes I feel like Wile E. Coyote, continually hitting a brick wall or rock face time and time again, long after most sensible people would have given up the hopeless task of chasing that elusive roadrunner. But then there are the moments of exhilaration as the words flow onto the page, or characters come to life or a story finds its perfect ending. It can be tough but it’s addictive too.

I understand what my friend is trying to say. I do. Everyone has a story worth telling. This resonates with me for, after all, aren’t we all made in God’s image? Aren’t we all precious to him? Even the most unassuming and ordinary person has probably had something exciting happen in her (or his) life. But that doesn’t mean writing well is easy or that anyone could be an author. As Laura Resnick says in her blog:

Realistically, if you're not already writing, the chances that you're ever going to start writing are marginal. Most people never get past just talking about writing.

Additionally, most people who start writing a book never finish it. (And most people who finish writing one whole book... never sell it and never write another.)

The only people who write, who stick with it, and who have a serious chance of becoming professionals are the ones who can't stand not writing.

Of course, publication is not the only goal of writing. And writers can also write poems, short stories, blogs, journal articles, comics, scripts, devotions, even words of encouragement in greeting cards.

I find it easy to get discouraged when years of effort seem to yield few results. Yet I continue to write because I’m passionate about it and I believe God has lead me to this place. I continue to set goals. Yet I also realise I need to hold on to my writing dreams and expectations with an open hand – not clutching tightly but being willing for God to lead me where he wants me to go. For in the end, it’s not about me and my success – it’s about Him and allowing Him to touch and inspire other lives through me.

A ball bounces between us, almost grazing my nose. One of the young boys runs up and retrieves it. 

I take a breath and lean towards my friend and nod. ‘Tell me, if you were to write a book what would it be about?’

He sits back in the chair and rubs his chin. We spend the next several minutes discussing the things he is passionate about.

Doubt

By Jeanette O’Hagan

Standing on the precipice

toes gripping the edge

curling, trying to stick.

Anything

but the airy void.

It’s a long way down

to failure.

Words shifting on the page

blurring and twisting

like Mobius strips.

What seemed brilliant

yesterday

now frays

and drifts away.

A clamour of voices

whisper on the wind,

buffeting up, teasing

naysaying

at the outer silences.

It’s a long way down--

Get a grip.

Take flight

spread your wings

to...

Success

Goals

Self-confidence

Try-again

Infinity

Writer.

Jeanette O’Hagan © 8 January 2014

References

Resnick, L. ‘Twenty Things NOT To Say To A Writer: A Handy Safety Guide, in Laura Resnick, http://www.sff.net/people/laresnick/fun%20stuff/lists%20of%2020.htm#NOTtoSay