When Life Gets in the Way of Writing

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By Kathy Harris

So you dare call yourself a writer… when you haven’t written anything other than a grocery list or the occasional blog post in a few weeks? Or even a few months? Your intentions have been to write, but somehow you’ve not found the time. Or the inspiration.

What now?

Maybe it’s time to quit. It would be easier. After all, most people don’t write a book, even though they say they want to. Why should you? And doesn’t everybody else watch the latest, most talked about television shows? How will you join in on water cooler conversations if you don’t watch them too? Then there’s social media. That takes time.

A person should have a life. Right?

Besides. You’ll make time for writing later… when the kids are grown. Or when you’re retired. Or… tomorrow.

Does this sound like you? It has probably been all of us at one time or another. I know I’ve been there! I remember when I tried to quit the writing habit. Okay… that’s happened more than once. But one time is particularly memorable. I was tired of abandoning my family to the other room. Sometimes to the coffee shop. I was tired of being absent in mind, although present in body. I was tired of spinning my wheels and not getting the words down on paper that were swirling in my head.

In my case, my husband stepped in and asked, “Will you be happy if you quit?” I knew the answer was ‘no,’ because God had put the love and the desire to write in my heart.

It wasn’t long after that when things began to change. I received an offer from an agent to rep my manuscript. I finished it (very important step here), and he sold it. All of that didn’t happen in a month’s time, but it happened within a year. What if I had quit? Given up on the dream and the desire of my heart? What if I hadn’t accepted God’s call?

Life gets in the way of our writing. And let’s face it… so do we. It’s a difficult occupation. One that requires a lot of focus, time, energy, and determination. But we can’t quit because it’s hard.

Another author once said: Never be lazy in your work, but serve the Lord enthusiastically. Be glad for all God is planning for you. Be patient in trouble, and prayerful always. Romans 12:11-12 NLT

When life gets in the way of your writing, pray about it. And then get to work. Be patient. Stay passionate. And remember, God has plans for you.

Kathy Harris SeptemberKathy Harris is an author by way of a “divine detour” into the Nashville entertainment industry. Abingdon Press published her debut novel, The Road to Mercy, in 2012. She blogs regularly at www.DivineDetour.com and is enthusiastically working on her next book. Follow her on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/KathyHarrisAuthor or Twitter https://twitter.com/divinedetour.

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