These Read Letters

So you’ve decided that you are going to finally sit down and write a novel. Or if you’ve been writing but have found yourself having been engaged in a long sabbatical, now you are going to get back to the craft. Fantastic!

Making the decision to sit down and actually write can sometimes be one of the hardest parts of the novel-writing journey.

But more difficult than anything is the art of bringing your story from the start of its labor pains clear into a fulfilling delivery.

Let me begin by quoting a part of Scripture from the book of Isaiah:

Isaiah 37:3b “...for the children have come to the birth, and there is no strength to give birth.“

In every trial and trouble, no matter how great the fruit, there tends to be one common denominator, that my friend is the root.

Candice Coates

One of the root causes of what keeps so many brilliant writers from accomplishing their goal of completing their novel is DISCOURAGEMENT.

Discouragement takes many forms and comes from many directions, some external while others are internal, but all can rob us of our strength to carry on to the end.

Rather than mapping out a list of discouragements that keep you from completing your novel, I am going to encourage you to declare 3 reasons or more for why you are writing in the first place.

Whatever your 3 reasons are, I’d like for you to think of them as the 3 branches that form the anchor that keeps you steady during any discouraging storm.

Here are 3 reasons (but not the only reasons) why I write:

1. I write because it is cathartic: Writing a story, word-weaving is very relaxing. It brings me a sense of joy and pleasure.

Remembering that I write for self-relaxation removes the pressure of performance. If I have achieved my therapeutic goal by jotting down a few fictional words, then I have done well.

2. I write because I love to tell a story: Being able to give life to the characters that live in my head is an honor and privilege, one that allows me a get away from the cares of reality without even leaving the comfort of my home…although I do enjoy actual travel.

3. I write because I enjoy the challenge: I love trying new things in art, be it visual or written. Being able to put my own spin on a certain genre is something that gets my blood flowing.

To not have the answers, but to discover a new way of weaving words to present an age-old topic like romance or science fiction is a reward all in itself.

So, why do YOU write? Taking the time to create your anchor is such an important part of your writing journey and process. For me, remembering the therapeutic benefits, the love of the process, and the challenge of trying something new, always brings me back to my keyboard.

Remember what called you to yours in the first place and let those reasons be what keeps you there as you start and finish your novels!

Happy writing.

Revised from May 25, 2016