When Your Writing Needs Resurrection

We've all been there -- we have written ourselves into a corner and don't know where to go now.

This happened to me on the first book I ever wrote -- I got down to the second to last chapter, and still didn't know whodunnit, or why. No motive, no suspects, no alibi, no idea.

At this point, you can do one of the following:
1. Dump the entire book because it was a stupid idea to think YOU could write a book.
2. Send out a survey to 100 of your closest friends to ask them if they think you could write a book.
3. Read 100 blog posts from published authors who will confirm you couldn't write a book.
4. Read 100 newsletters from multi-published authors who will tell you that even if you did write a book, you wouldn't get it published because it's much too difficult and your skin isn't thick enough and you don't know the right people.
5. Read 100 success stories about published authors who were rejected dozens of times before getting published, then go back to work on your book.

I chose option 5. Okay, first I prayed. I went to my source, the One who gave me the story to begin with. I figured if God wrote the story through me, He knew whodunnit. And okay, I didn't read 100 success stories, but I did read a couple of books on writing mysteries, something I should have done before I ever sat down to write one. Then I went back into my book, set up some red herrings, some clues, some alibis, increased the tension, and WHAM! The killer jumped off the pages at me. The person with the least apparent reason to do it, the person nobody would suspect, but when I wrote in several clues and some hints and innuendoes, WOW! It made sense. And later, when I had several independent readers read my book, they were all satisfied with the ending, and did not suspect the killer.

That's what you want to hear!

So, when your writing needs resurrection, go to the Source -- pray. If you don't have time to pray, you don't have time to write. Then, don't be ashamed to go back to basics. Don't be too proud to learn some more, to ask questions, to ask advice of people in the writing business.

We're all in the same business, the same situation, and we all write for the same reason -- God has given us the story, and if we don't write it, He will find someone who will. So write, pray, resurrect the passion in you for the story. To God be the glory!

What Do We Need To Do?

There has been lots of talk over the last couple of weeks about the ACFW National Conference in Denver this week. Many of us have been frantic in our preparations, hours spent perfecting manuscripts, time agonizing over elevator pitches, palms sweating over potential meetings with agents and editors.

Even for those of us who won't be attending the conference, there have been ways to get involved. Preparing materials for our chapter, critiquing proposals for friends, volunteering to help set up tables -- many have gotten involved in countless ways.

So now that we are here, down to the wire, let's consider what part each one of us can play in the conference, regardless of whether we are attending or not. Just because it seems like the work is done, it really isn't.

As you have read in previous blogs, there will be over 500 Christian writers coming from all over the world. While sometimes it can seem like we are involved in a solitary pursuit, the fact that 500 like-minded believers are coming to Denver should light a fire inside of each one of us.

What part can every writer out there play, regardless of their financial situation, publishing situation, writing accomplishment situation, family situation -- regardless of where we are and what we are doing?

Pray.

Pray like you've never prayed before.

The enemy will be faithful to attack over and over again during this conference. We've already seen instances where he tried to keep people from attending, from driving here. We know he is roaming around, looking for who he may devour.

And it can be easy to let him devour our hopes for this conference. He can steal our joy, rob us of our finances, purloin our travel arrangements. He is more than happy to keep us from fulfilling the plan of God.

So pray. Pray for safe travel for all attendees. Pray for protection and provision for the families left at home. Pray for open hearts for agents and editors to recognize passion. Pray for hearts content to let God work His will. Pray for strength, sweet sleep, settled stomachs, and a desire to learn, share, and minister.

Because sometimes the most important meetings at conferences don't happen across the desk in an appointment time. Sometimes the most ministry happens in the hallway, the elevator, or even the bathroom. Sometimes the best relationships are developed between room mates who were strangers before the conference.

Please pray for those attending, those teaching, those searching for the next best seller. Pray for those who are not attending, who wanted to come but couldn't for any number of reasons. And, please, pray for those who will be serving at the conference, the hotel staff, that they would see the love of Jesus in the midst of their workplace.

We are part of a large group of Christian Writers -- let's not forget the Christian part in the busyness of the Writer part.

Prayer and Writing Go Hand in Hand

Yesterday, in church, our pastor spoke on the battle we fight in this world as Christians. It's not against people, although we often engage in verbal, emotional or even physical fights with them at times. No, it's against the spiritual realm that is fighting with everything it has to thwart our efforts and keep as many people off their knees as possible.

Our calling as Christian writers is critical. The words we write and the messages we share through those words can have a big impact on those who read them. Because of that, we need to be even more careful about the words we choose and the image we're presenting. To do that effectively, we need to grab hold of the single most important weapon and tool we have:

Prayer!

Our church body is in the middle of a 40-day prayer vigil, 24-7, with members taking 1-hour slots day and night for 40 days. When we finish with this, we're going to continue on a 24-7 vigil, with members taking 1-hour slots each week. The same time every week as a commitment to regular prayer. The spiritual battle we face involves an enemy who only needs a foothold to get in. But he's not content with just that. Once he has it, he'll wedge in his heel, then his leg, then his hip and his arm until finally he has a complete presence.

You've likely heard the old adage, "The pen is mightier than the sword." This has never been more true than it is today. With so many people turning to the internet, texting on cell phones, emails and the electronic communication, verbal impact is losing ground. So much is read now, and it's so easy to sway someone's thinking when the messages are repeatedly pounded into the brain through the eyes.

So, join with me in prayer for your writing, for your ministry, for your impact, and for your witness. Your words could be the saving grace for someone out there. Make sure you put prayer first before you set your fingers to the keyboard or pen to paper.

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Tiffany Amber Stockton is an author and freelance web site designer who lives with her husband and fellow author in beautiful Colorado Springs. They celebrated the birth of their first child in April and have a vivacious puppy named Roxie, a Border Collie/Flat-Haired Retriever mix. She has sold six books so far to Barbour Publishing. Other credits include writing articles for various publications, five short stories with Romancing the Christian Heart, and contributions to the books: 101 Ways to Romance Your Marriage and Grit for the Oyster.

Read more about her at her web site: http://www.amberstockton.com/.