Not long ago I made the decision to stop editing and consulting for other writers. 
It was not an easy decision to make. I like helping other writers. I had several clients that I knew I’d sincerely miss. The venture also brought in some added income. But I couldn’t deny the little gnawing feeling I had on the inside every time I said “yes” to another editing project.
I think part of me was sure that the world, or at least my world, would stop spinning if I cut out this part of my life.
And to be perfectly honest, I also know that several of my clients will go on to be bestselling writers and will likely land TV shows and my little prideful heart had to die to the fact that I would get no credit for helping them get to that point. (Just keeping it real, folks.)
So I laid it all out before the Lord and agonized for longer than I should have before I finally made the decision to stop doing for others and start doing for me.
That was a few weeks ago.
Not one time have I missed editing and consulting. Not. even. once.
I feel so light, like an enormous weight has been lifted, one I didn’t even know I was carrying.
And that peace tells me one thing- I did the right thing!
Sometimes we have to prune our writing lives and simply let things go.
Do you see that pretty Carnelia bush in the image above? The year before that photo was taken I did a massive pruning, removing buds and cutting off every single branch that was dead or withered. The following year the bush was literally covered in blossoms as you can see by the fuchsia carpet of petals below it.
You see, it’s a principle of life. Sometimes we have to cut off the unproductive elements in order to make room for new growth.
So, I ask you. Is there any part of your writing life that is unproductive, burdensome, dead weight, going nowhere, keeping you from your chief objectives and main focus? If so, lop it off. Get rid of the old so God can bring you the new.
Doesn’t the new look beautiful?
