May 31, 2011

Where Do I Fit in the Wide World of Writing?

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When you feel God nudging you to write, the most natural assumption in the world is that He wants you to write a book. After all, isn’t that what writers do? They write books.

But when you make this innocent assumption you limit God.

More than any other generation, our options for spreading the word are boundless. A book is only a tiny fraction of the ways you can publish the message God has put on your heart, and it’s probably the most difficult to achieve.

Before you head down a path that may take years of your life, years that might otherwise have been spent getting your message into the hands of those who need it, stop and ask God the path you should take. You have no guarantees that your book will ever be published, at least not in the traditional sense. The competition is stiffer now than ever. Granted, if God has called you to that road, He will make a way, but don’t be too hasty in assuming that is your chosen path.

Instead, consider book publishing as one, but only one, of your many options. Pray also about blogging, building a website, creating a newsletter or e-zine, guest blogging, writing magazine or newspaper articles, self-publishing. But don’t limit God to even these.

When God nudges your heart to write simply say, “What do you want me to write? And what do you want me to do with it when it’s written?” This takes God out of a box and gives Him free reign to direct your path.

Often His answer will be, “Start writing and I’ll show you.” Let Him do just that.

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11 comments:

Dawn said...

Bonita,
A really big kiss for you! Because God had you write that just for me.

Thank you for being obedient.

Dawn

Deborah said...

Thanks Bonita! I have started writing and He IS showing me.

Linda said...

It was just this that led me to start a blog. Great advice Bonita. I don't know why I tend to think that if I don't do the BIG thing it doesn't count. It is definitely limiting God.
Thank you, always, for such solid, practical wisdom.

Lori said...

Thank you for the encouraging words. I think it is just what I needed this morning.

Blessings,

Lori

Susie - Walking Butterfly said...

Great advice. When I just begin to write God helps me know if it is for my blogs or to put in my file for a future book idea I have. There is also a lot of overlap so one really does not cancel out the other.
Thanks for your great insights!

A multi-dimensional life said...

Oh, I love this! It made my heart skip a beat and I felt a gentle nudge and a guiding hand reaching out to me through your words! Bless you for being available to God this very moment! Bless you!

Melissa_Rae said...

Anne Lamott shares somewhat of the same message in Bird by Bird -- that getting published should not be the ultimate goal -- and it's so encouraging for me to hear it again here. :) Sometimes it can be so discouraging when I see others excelling in ways I want, but then I get comments from readers that tell me how God used a post to encourage them. That's what it's all about, right? Thanks, Bonita!

Leslie said...

Just wanted to give you a big hug friend! ((((Bo)))) That short time at the conference was just not enough! Thank you for your encouragement of me regarding this new season of life. I know I'll need heaping portions of His grace to do this. I appreciate your example.

Love you friend and would love to see more of you! Let me know if you ever want to come visit out this way. Would love to have you stay!

Hugs
Leslie

Tammy Nischan said...

Bonita,

It's been so long since I have checked in, and I miss your emails in my inbox with your encouraging words for writers.............hope you are doing well! Just wanted to say "I love you!"
Will you be at She Speaks?

Love,
Tammy :)

Little Birdie Blessings said...

This post is absolutely beautiful. I couldn't agree more with you. Thank you for this blog of inspiration and encouragement. I look forward to spending more time here. ~ Abby

Heather Mattern said...

Such wise advice! Thank you. I am currently praying and trying to figure out where/what Father has for me in the next chapter of our story.

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