Into the Fire

Some writers still use the trusty pen/pencil to author that book in its initial draft. Although most use laptops/PCs these days, longhand still serves its purpose if it gets words on paper.

Talking fiction here, I know from personal experience how much discipline it takes to construct a novel. Some authors use intricate outlines, others use detailed notes and pictures, and some of us "fly by the seat of our pants" and scramble to get those words computed before the inspiration passes. The combination of these methods suits many writers well. I don't do outlines and I don't use pictures, but occasionally I need to write notes or record a scene that happens later than the current moment of the one I'm writing. As the well-used cliché states: To each his own.

Most of us writers have heard these "suggestions" many times once it's known we have actually written a book: "You should write a book about my experiences" or "I should write a book" or "You should get together with so-and-so and write their story". So many responses come to mind during these conversations and sometimes the responses aren't polite. It's all I can do to write the ones I've written and fight through the personal delays which rob me of my discipline to finish the ones I've started. Discipline isn't easy where it concerns being stationary and focused for long periods of time.

In my case (and, honestly, I believe in everyone's case) apart from the inspiration from the Lord, I can do or write nothing. Period. Now I could write to be writing, but I know when the Lord guides my words and stories and he's given me a personal instruction about that. I put it on my business cards: If you pick up the pen, I'll give you the words. That came during the final leg of my 8 and 1/2 year journey to write my first mega-novel at several of the most discouraging times along the way. I'm trusting that particular instruction still applies. I just need the go ahead signal to return to the stories I've begun. I feel it's not too far away.

So. If you're tempted to write that book, realize among the multiple obvious keys is this important factor: Discipline with a capital D. You can't complete a book without it. Certainly some authors are more disciplined than others. And don't allow anyone else to define what discipline looks like for you. Try several methods to maintain it, but ultimately use what works best for you. No one can tell you what you must do to write. Only the Lord can dictate such an important methodology. He made you. He'll do it. In the process you'll learn all about writing that book.

Father, I thank you for every day of writing you've given me. I ask that you would continue to give me those days. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.