Today’s Writing Tip

For all you aspiring writers out there, I have a tip. Are you ready?

Here it is:  Put down your pen or pencil. Close your laptop. And RUN. Take up auto mechanics or brain surgery or lawn maintenance.

Did I dissuade you from writing?

No.

All right, then dig in for the ride of your life.

Get ready to put in long, lonely hours. Getting up earlier. Staying up later. Squeezing precious writing minutes out of daily activities.

Get ready to stuff your brain with more information than you think it can handle. Information that will be contradictory. Information that will sound like Yoda channeling Yogi Berra. And Darth Vader will be on the sidelines saying, “Come to the dark side.” You’ll feel like you’re already there.

Get ready to be rejected. A lot. From critique partners who’ll leave you wondering if you can put three words together coherently. From agents who say, “Interesting concept, but I can’t sell it.” From publishers who say, “It doesn’t meet our needs at this time. But if you make your hero an Amish vampire, we’ll take another look at it.” From family and friends who say, “Are you ready to give that writing stuff up and get back to reality?”

Get ready for an adventure like none other.

See worlds and characters come to life under your fingers. See your creations take almost-magical journeys through your imagination and overcome humongous obstacles to achieve their story goals, to grow and change as people.

Experience God guiding your writing to touch readers’ lives, to give them greater insight into themselves, to draw closer to Him and to His plan for them.

Want to write? Then hang on. It’s going to be a wild ride.

And worth every minute.

 

7 Responses to Today’s Writing Tip

  1. Rachelle April 25, 2012 at 3:05 pm #

    Inspiring as always! That’s what I love about writing! Thanks Henry!

  2. Amelia April 25, 2012 at 3:15 pm #

    Ha ha! Loved it, Henry. Thanks.

  3. Julie Marx April 25, 2012 at 5:01 pm #

    Golly Henry, Why can’t I run AND write? Just wondering. 😉

  4. Henry April 25, 2012 at 11:00 pm #

    Julie, don’t you remember from grammar school when they told us not to run with sharp objects? Our words are sharp objects meant to convey truth and entertain. Besides, what if you tripped and landed on your laptop?

  5. Henry April 25, 2012 at 11:00 pm #

    Thanks, Amelia.

  6. Henry April 25, 2012 at 11:01 pm #

    Thanks, Rachelle.

  7. carol mcclain April 26, 2012 at 1:45 pm #

    Good job. And my next book IS indeed about an Amish vampire with a twist. He hides out as an media specialist. Can you wait to read it?

    Also, is there a way to put a rss feed or a subscribe by email on your blog? That way I know when it’s available.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *