Writing During Hardship

By Cynthia Herron @C_Herronauthor

If I’d known several years ago the hardships I’d face before and after publication, I’m almost certain I would have thrown up my hands in immediate defeat. There’s a reason why God doesn’t allow us to see the future. Giving up before starting negates possibility.

Never facing adversity doesn’t develop our mettle. Merely existing on this earth isn’t God’s best for us, nor does it grow our relationship with Him. Because human beings are granted free will, we choose how to approach each mountain, valley, success, and failure.

Though God most assuredly doesn’t cause bad things to happen, we still live in a corrupt world with fallibilities and brokenness.

Back to writing. Fast forward to present day. Now, down the road a little further after facing the highs and lows of the writing process, combined with extreme personal loss, I’m thankful I couldn’t foresee each bend in the road.

When I signed my first book series contract, I had no idea I’d face five—yes, five—family deaths within an 18 month time frame. My mother-in-law. My aunt. My father. And then the ultimate blow—my beloved sister. Eight weeks later, a dear cousin. These losses all came on the heels of Covid, shut-downs, and cancellation of so many things—including the formal graduation of our baby chick from college, and afterward, that of her Master’s program as she completed training as a registered dietitian, passing her state boards. Her cap and gown, remained unworn and hanging in the closet, as ceremonies were held online.

So. Much. Loss. All while I was under contract to complete books one, two, and three, and eventually a fourth, in my Ozarks-based Welcome to Ruby series. How did I manage it?

My editor kindly extended grace during some of the time frames, but honestly, I worked day and night to meet my work obligations. The truth about publishing is sometimes there is wiggle room, and sometimes there isn’t. For every deadline an author fails to meet, it can literally throw off an entire publishing schedule.

So…I worked. I crafted and created and cried as I mastered and met deadline after deadline. I also railed at God plenty, as evidenced in my author notes tucked away in the final pages of each book.

None of this took God by surprise. He knew every life point I would face. Every juncture I’d almost give up. While I’m still navigating the emotional effects of that season of loss, I remain in awe that God led me through it. I accomplished something I can only attribute to His guiding hand and constant provision.

Many of my books’ passages I don’t even remember writing…and yet, I know the words are mine. I occasionally review the notes and words on my laptop, vaguely recalling them as they tumbled forth from my brain to the keys. Words that must have been supernaturally inspired by a loving Father who cares greatly for this imperfect, fragile lamb.

So, dear writer-friend…if today you are struggling, wondering if you’ll ever finish that project, that deadline, that rocky path to your writing dream—may these words encourage you as they do me.

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; always bearing in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.” (2^nd Corinthians 4:7-10 KJV)

Read the entire chapter. It’s so, so good.

How has adversity affected your writing life? What tips and hints motivate you to persevere?

Peace to you, my friend, as we write our stories.

As an avid encourager and lover of the underdog, Cynthia Herron writes Heartfelt, Homespun Fiction from the beautiful Midwest. She is the author of Her Hope Discovered and the award-winning Welcome to Ruby series. Her work is represented by WordServe Literary. Connect with “Cindy” on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.