Into the Fire

A common topic circulating around the blogosphere recently (and periodically) is “writer’s block”. That blank page looking back at you. Unflinching. Passive. White. Empty. As your mind.

I’ve been there with blog posts, that’s for sure. An almost daily chore I’ve embraced runs lean on different days, often weeks. But what about the novel writing? Where’s it at right now? My novel writing stopped at seven. Not too long ago it started again with number eight, was interrupted by a partial number nine, and is back on track with number eight. S l o w l y. Pedestrian sight-seeing walking mode—definitely not power walking mode. Which is fine.

I’m not a one-size-fits-all lady. Too many people write too many rules for how people should live their lives, write their pieces, walk their talk, and just generally be a member of the human race. The only reliable source for living life is the Word of God and within that perfect framework lives a lot of liberty whose goal is to produce the fruit of the Spirit sanctioned by an ever-growing relationship with God through His Son Jesus Christ while sharing Jesus with those who don’t know Him.

I’ve learned that in my writing times there are breaks. Sometimes I have no idea why. I just know to take them, not to strive to work writing into them, and to rest in whatever the Lord requires of me during that time. I don’t understand why sometimes I can barely write/type fast enough as the words tumble over each other frantically racing each other onto the page. And other times they come in one sentence intervals. I do know there’s no forcing words as some are prone to do, content to return later and weed out the ones which cropped up and snuffed out all the better ones. This is me. Forcing anything doesn’t work in my life.

Those who easily adapt to structured discipline and sit in the chair until “X” number of words decorate the page instruct others to do the same, insisting that “real” or “serious” writers write regardless of unflinching, passive, white, empty, as your mind pages stare back at them. Their iron will insures that a word quota will be met. My iron will assures me not one word will exit my mind by force—but, sure, go ahead and try to write: I dare ya.

Writer’s block comes to most of us at some point. Who knows why? Or really even cares. Well, of course you care if you’re on a deadline and your mind is in a white-out crash, but if you’re simply not inclined to come up with words in a creative fashion, take the break this condition affords.

Those of us who know the Lord learn to trust Him by trial and error. Even in the midst of writer’s block, we can rely on His returning our gift to us if that’s what He has for us to do. And if He doesn’t? I can’t answer that . . . But He can.

Lord, as always I’m desperate for you. Thank you for each story, plot, character, word. Apart from you, I can do nothing. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.