Writing Reflections
Just sent the prologue to Wild Goose Chase to my editor. Feels so good closing a document and sending it off.
I hate using this analogy, but writing a book is like giving birth. Lots of labor followed by lots of joy! Books feel like babies. You have to get pregnant. A book starts when God conceives something in your spirit. And it has to go through a gestation period. While you're writing the book it feels like all of your nutrients are going to feed the book. You live, eat, and breath the book.
I have to admit: I have been feeling a ton of pressure with Wild Goose Chase because of the impact In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day has had. I've gotten hundreds of emails from readers about the way God has used the book to inspire them to chase lions. Each email is an answer to prayer! And I know God can do it again. But I think I've struggled with a little self-doubt. Can the sequel be better than the prequel? I've had to really come to terms with the fact that God has a unique plan for every book I write. He'll use different books in different ways. And all I can do is write like it depends on me and pray like it depends on God.
One of my life goals is to write 25 books. But I'm less concerned about quantity than quality. Each book has to pass what I call the excitement test. I never want to write a book that I'm not 100% excited about. Wild Goose Chase is passing the test with flying colors. I really think it can take the chase to the next level.
I hate using this analogy, but writing a book is like giving birth. Lots of labor followed by lots of joy! Books feel like babies. You have to get pregnant. A book starts when God conceives something in your spirit. And it has to go through a gestation period. While you're writing the book it feels like all of your nutrients are going to feed the book. You live, eat, and breath the book.
I have to admit: I have been feeling a ton of pressure with Wild Goose Chase because of the impact In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day has had. I've gotten hundreds of emails from readers about the way God has used the book to inspire them to chase lions. Each email is an answer to prayer! And I know God can do it again. But I think I've struggled with a little self-doubt. Can the sequel be better than the prequel? I've had to really come to terms with the fact that God has a unique plan for every book I write. He'll use different books in different ways. And all I can do is write like it depends on me and pray like it depends on God.
One of my life goals is to write 25 books. But I'm less concerned about quantity than quality. Each book has to pass what I call the excitement test. I never want to write a book that I'm not 100% excited about. Wild Goose Chase is passing the test with flying colors. I really think it can take the chase to the next level.
1 Comments:
mark,
i really like that statement about writing like it depends on us and praying like it depends on God. very clever, very practical, and something easy to remember.
i havent read the "Snowy Lion Pit" book yet, but i think perhaps I'm supposed to. The other day my pastor mentioned you to me as we were talking about the cafe you all have set up in D.C., then i was on Dan Kimball's blog and saw a picture of you with my friends Cliff Young and Don Miller (i run caedmonscall.net and donmillerfans.net as a hobby kind of thing).
so that's 2 random occurences in 2 days. Perhaps tomorrow if a brick or an anvil falls out of the sky with your name on it, it will be the final confirmation i need to get your book. :)
love to hear more of your thoughts on writing as i am starting to write a book myself...thanks for putting time into the blog, i'll be a frequent reader...
take care,
bryan
Post a Comment
<< Home