“Oh, the Places You’ll Go.
You’ll be on your way up!
You’ll be seeing great sights!
Join the high fliers who soar to high heights!”
Do you recognize these lines? (Hint: They’re from a famous children’s book.)
Did you say, Oh, the Places You’ll Go, by Dr. Seuss? If you did, you’re correct.
This story is a great summary of the writer’s journey. (Although the part where we decide where we go isn’t accurate for a believer since we aren’t the sole guides of our lives, are we?)
God leads us to leave the safety of our comfort zones, so we can explore worlds beyond through writing. We soar and dream, thinking of the potential books we can write. The readers and reach we’ll have. The places we’ll speak.
But after putting pen to paper and doing the hard work of writing, we can hit uncertain places. Feel alone. Frustrated about our writing not measuring up.
Like the book says, we often endure hangs ups and bang ups, and even feel left behind. And now when we come down from the stuck place, we’ll have a bump and a slump (yikes). And trying to unslump ourselves is difficult. Along with how we’ll face uncertainty approaching an unmarked trail. We don’t know where to go. We discover a waiting place where many are stuck as they make excuses why they won’t take risk in the midst of uncertainty. A place where they embrace safety and security over adventure.
But if we persevere and bravely take risks, we’ll continue onto unknown territory. (After all, God has called you to write.)
Can you relate?
Last week, I listened to an award-winning novelist share how he had received 63 rejections for a novel. But instead of just throwing up his hands and thinking, he’s not called to write, he continued writing. He thought to himself, he’d either get published or receive more rejection letters because he wouldn’t stop writing.
I admire his tenacity and passion.
About four years ago, I read one of my chapters at a critique group. I had known everyone for awhile, so I felt safe to read and receive feedback. (So, I thought.)
After I read a chapter, one of the members said that my dialogue was at elementary-school level. I was shocked hearing such critique then wondered if all the members thought the same as well. For the rest of the critique session, I could barely focus when others were reading their chapters. I just wanted to go home as I fought shame as it told me that I hadn’t made much progress despite the hours I had invested in writing. And battled fear yelling that I wasn’t intelligent enough to write a decent story.
That night, I laid in bed hearing that person’s critique echo in the darkness. I couldn’t sleep as I contemplated never writing again. If my writing level is only at elementary school proficiency, obviously I was wasting my time pursuing writing.
For the next two weeks, I entertained finding a different creative pursuit. Irregardless of God’s commission, my passion to write, or the countless stories dancing in my head, I was going to drown my literary dreams in concrete boots.
That critique was my inciting incident. One night as those words returned to haunt me, I asked God to give me strength to not be crushed by the feedback, but use it productively. The next morning, I woke up inspired. I’d become a better writer and work even harder.
First, before writing any words on the page, I assessed my writing routine. Even though I hated to admit it, I discovered I wasn’t reading as much fiction as I could, nor was I investing in craft courses and workshops. And I wasn’t immersing myself in a supportive writing community. I was more or less (outside of the critique group), writing on an island. So, I committed to reading novels on a consistent basis and take crafting workshops.
Second, I made goals to help motivate me toward completion. Before, I hadn’t been very disciplined in setting tangible goals, but had the laissez-faire attitude that if I worked on my manuscript, it’d eventually get written. I needed to lit a fire underneath me.
Third, I connected with other writers, especially reading their books, providing reviews, and encouraging them. I didn’t want to be an island, but support other writers working hard to share their stories. And to ask for feedback and wisdom, where I could grow through others.
Ever since then, I can see a marked difference in my writing especially in my passion to write. That critique fueled me to work harder and to continue reminding myself that God called me to write and there are stories I need to tell. Doesn’t mean I haven’t hit different bumps and stumps where I want to quit, or feel alone or unworthy, I do. But I’m much more motivated and have a supportive community who remind me to pursue what I’m passionate to do, regardless of rejections, obstacles, and fears.
How about you? Are there places you want to go, but you feel uncertain about the next path to take? Or you’re in a waiting period because you’re unsure if writing is your calling? Or you’re picking yourself up after a bump or a slump? Or are you feeling like you’re soaring high after meeting a literary goal? I’d like to know so we can join you in your journey! (Please share in Comments.) Thank you!
Photo by Holly Mandarich on Unsplash