.JPG)
Today marks the beginning of Lent, a special time for
Christians to draw closer to God. When we deny ourselves through fasting, when
we turn our hearts more fully to the Lord through prayer, and when we put the
needs of our brothers and sisters before our own wants through almsgiving, we are
able to more fully enter into the Paschal Mystery. As many of us can attest, a
well-lived Lent leads to a joyous Easter.
But how, you might ask, does Lent tie in with writing? The
keyword is sacrifice.
.JPG)
Years ago, I heard an established author lament that she
had missed her son’s youth because she had been so busy pursuing her writing
career. As much as I wanted to publish, I didn’t want to be that woman. God and
family came first. Then writing. Perhaps that’s why my road to publication
stretched over so many years.
Don’t get me wrong. I admire women—and men—who do it all
and do it well, the family, the day job, care of the home, as well as the
writing. For me, something always suffered, and I didn’t want it to be my
husband or my three children.
That being said, I do feel strongly that many folks, especially
women, don’t take enough time for their own needs. I did write, but like many
of you, my efforts were often piecemeal, fit in between carpooling, cheering
the kids on at sporting events, or helping with homework.
We all know that publication requires determination,
persistence, and hard work. While a few might achieve success early on, most of
us have to pay our dues. I wrote six manuscripts with multiple revisions before
my seventh story sold to Love Inspired. As I mentioned, I squeezed writing time
in after my family commitments were met. For four and a half years, I even
cared for an elderly and infirmed aunt who had no other family to support her. Soon after my aunt passed away and my youngest
child went to college, I joined a committed critique group that met weekly. I
cut back on other activities and focused primarily on my writing. The time was
right. My children were grown, and I didn’t have any other significant responsibilities
that vied for my attention. Within a year, I had a completed manuscript that
sold some months later.
For most of us, our days are filled to overflowing with
work, whether at home or at the office, with family commitments and with the
ever constant, day-in and day-out household needs that require attention. No
matter where we are on the journey to publication or beyond, writing takes time
away from those daily demands.
Often we must make choices. Will I rise early or stay up
late to get my pages written? Will I give up my free Saturday after a long week
at the office to brainstorm a new story? Will I say no to family activities or
social events to ready my contest entry for submission? Each decision requires
sacrifice.
.png)
Regrettably, some people are unwilling to spend the time
and energy required to achieve publication. Three friends come to mind. The
first, I’ll call her Sally, was an avid romance reader who understood how to
construct a compelling story. After a few years of honing her craft, she sold to Precious Gems, a romance line marketed exclusively through
Walmart. Because Precious Gem authors were paid a lump sum with no royalties, Romance
Writers of America did not consider them an RWA-approved publisher when it
came to RITA entries and membership in the Published Author Network (PAN). As
you can imagine, a brouhaha within the organization ensued. My friend withdrew
her membership in RWA and stopped writing. Was it anger? Was it pride? Was it a
realization that, even after publication, the writing journey would take more
effort—more sacrifice—than she was willing to give? Whatever the reason, she walked
away from the very thing she had worked so hard to achieve.
Another friend, I’ll call him Tom, was a retired pilot who
wrote beautiful, albeit lengthy, prose. He snagged an agent but was unwilling
to cut his manuscript into a shorter read. Tom walked away too.
A third friend, Claire, was a successful magazine freelance
writer who wanted to break into the fiction market. Her stories always drew me
in, but after a few years, she tired of the rejections. Perhaps Claire viewed them
as a personal affront. Maybe deep down she couldn’t accept the criticism of her
work that was never good enough, in her mind, for an editor to buy.
Sally, Tom and Claire were talented writers who were each close
to publication, yet they were unwilling to make the sacrifices necessary to
achieve their dreams.
.JPG)
I’ve never regretted the choices I made in my writing
journey. They were right for me, and my long road to publication made the first
sale that much sweeter. I am forever grateful to be able to see my work in
print and have never taken my career for granted, especially when so many, far
more accomplished writers are still unpublished. I’m living my dream. Yes, there
are sacrifices to be made, but the rewards far outshine anything that might be
seen as negative. Truly I am blessed.
What sacrifices are you willing to make for your writing
career? Have you prioritized your life?
Where does writing fit?
Along with the food for thought in this blog, I’ve included
a light Lenten breakfast of fresh baked bread, warm from the oven and slathered
with butter and jelly. The coffee is brewed; the tea is hot. Grab a cup and let’s
discuss sacrifice and the rewards that come when we achieve our writing goals. Leave a comment to be entered in the drawing for my March Love Inspired Suspense, STRANDED.
Happy writing!
Wishing you abundant blessings,
Debby Giusti
My March Love Inspired Suspense:
STRANDED
BY DEBBY GIUSTI
AMISH COUNTRY REFUGE
Colleen Brennan has one goal—take down her
sister’s killer. But chasing after
evidence leaves her in the path of a tornado and stranded in an Amish
community. With the killer nearby, Colleen must depend on the kindness of
Special Agent Frank Gallagher. Although the army officer is recuperating from a
battlefield injury, he wants to help the beautiful woman he rescued from the
tornado’s fury. He can tell she’s hiding something important. But getting her
to reveal her secrets may be his most dangerous mission ever.
Order your copy in digital or print format: Amazon.com
