Encouragement for the Wordsmith Addict

NOTE: For this month, practical writing tips lead the charge! Our general today is author, Mary A. Felkins, who writes inspirational fiction and nonfiction. I met her through author Kathleen Bailey; they have published their books with Pelican Book Group. I asked Mary to guest blog since I appreciated her insightful comments on the posts. And she’s generously giving away an ebook -details at the end!

(Featured top photo by Thom Milkovic on Unsplash)

Encouragement for the Wordsmith Addict by Mary A. Felkins

If you’re familiar in any way with 12-step support groups for those struggling with addiction, you’re aware the members typically recite a traditional introduction before they share.

It goes like this:

“Hello, my name is Sally Sue and I’m an alcoholic (or binge eater or smoker or gambler, etc).

The common intro is meant to keep the participant honest and crush the insidious tendency to remain in denial.

Problem? What problem? I don’t have a problem.

If there were a 12-step style writer’s support group for those struggling to complete their manuscripts—particularly when in fast-draft mode—I’d open by saying,

“Hello. My name is Mary, and I’m addicted to wordsmithing.”

The humbling realization that I had a wordsmithing issue hit me during a recent, solitary writing retreat. Months before, I’d scheduled extended time away from my home office, leaving behind all the responsibilities of a wife and mother, in order to spend focused time with my characters. Specifically, I needed to make great advances on a few manuscripts.

The wordsmithing conundrum manifested itself one day after I’d taken a mid-day break, noodled ideas in my head, and returned to my laptop. Despite the mantra, “Keep going forward, keep going forward, keep going forward”, my rebel gaze fixated on a weak verb and, in milliseconds, my mind switched to edit mode.

Drat. A stronger, far better verb popped into my head. I let it convince me it’d make the story sing when, in reality, it only lured me from progress. Then, wouldn’t you know it, a bad case of poor sentence structure jumped off the screen and mocked, daring me to ignore it.

No way.

I made the teeny, tiny edit, determined to get back on track. Until another weak word glared, and I fixed it, too, promising my inner editor I wouldn’t stop to wordsmith again.

Writer promises, promises.

Who knew weasel words in a manuscript could so effectively keep a wordsmith addict in bondage?

Oh, how easy it is to fall prey to the vicious cycle of wordsmithing. Where does it end? Is there hope for wordsmith addicts?

Enter a holy hush, the voice of God intruded to save the day.

“You’re doing it again. Leave those sentences alone. We’ll fix them later. For now, remember … I’ve called you to write.”

The directive was all it took to still my fingertips over the keys. I offered thanks to the Author of authors for the necessary intrusion and, in faith, left weaknesses and mistakes alone.

In the fight against premature wordsmithing, consider these things:

1) When you’re in fast draft mode, commit to staying there. God has a story He intends to write.

2) Beware of the temptation to fix the little things. The unnecessary distraction will hinder progress and result in frustration for you and your characters. (No fun explaining your wayward ways to imaginary people.)

3) Accountability is key. Just like any struggle, it’s unwise to try to overcome it alone. Call or text a writer friend and ask them to pray you through to The End.

Be encouraged, fellow wordsmith addicts. Our manuscript in its final—and best—form is already completed in the mind of God. We need only to answer the call to write and entrust our stories into His capable care.

Have you struggled with a wordsmith addiction especially when in fast-draft mode? Please share in Comments. If you comment, you will be eligible for Mary’s ebook giveaway of her romance novel, Call to Love. Click on the link to learn more about this inspirational romance!

Bio:

Mary A. Felkins is an inspirational romance author, blogger, and contributor to writer’s blogs and inspirational publications. Her debut novel, Call to Love, is set in Hickory, North Carolina, where she lives with her husband. They have four young adult children. She is a member of ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) and My Book Therapy.

The unmerited gift of a large, unopened bag of Peanut M&Ms® or an episode of Fixer Upper will lure her from her writer’s desk. A surprise appearance by her teen idol, Donny Osmond, would also do the trick, although she’d likely pass out.

If, upon introduction, she likes your first or last name, expect to see it show up in one of her novels.

To receive Mary’s story-style devotions via email, along with quarterly author newsletter offering book-related giveaways, subscribe on her website www.maryfelkins.com/blog

Mary A. Felkins’s books on Amazon https://amzn.to/3cxll0d