Making time to write in our busy schedules is common to many writers, even moi. But our obstacles are more than just busyness or the day job.
Please welcome guest Jennifer Slattery as she discusses making time to write. Jennifer is a writer and international speaker who’s addressed women’s groups, church groups, Bible studies, and other writers across the nation. She’s the author of six contemporary novels and maintains a devotional blog. She has a passion for helping women discover, embrace, and live out who they are in Christ. As the founder of Wholly Loved Ministries, she and her team partner with churches to facilitate events designed to help women rest in their true worth and live with maximum impact. When not writing, reading, or editing, Jennifer loves going on mall dates with her adult daughter and coffee dates with her hilariously fun husband. Connect with her on Facebook or Instagram.
Making Time to Write
Do you often find yourself overloaded and out of time? Do you feel an urge to write, feel God’s Spirit sparking stories within you, but can’t fathom how to snatch a few moments to put those ideas to paper? Or maybe you consistently give so much of yourself to everyone else, when you do sit down to write, there’s nothing left. You’ve got nothing else to give.
Perhaps, trying to juggle your schedule and commitments, you’ve even begun to get frustrated at God. Surely if He called you to this writing thing, He’d finagle a way to give you time to actually, well, write.
Maybe He has.
Could it be that you’ve taken on things you were never meant to?
God doesn’t intend for us to live stressed out and frustrated, therefore, when those angst-filled feelings arise, chances are, we’ve ventured away from His will. We’ve either veered off course somewhere, are trying to do things on our own, or we’ve allowed our pride, our fears, or a host of other negative emotions to get in our way.
Some of you know instantly what I’m talking about and can already envision what, precisely, is robbing you of your writing time. For the rest of us, I suggest we prayerfully consider if our true struggle lies with one of the following:
People pleasing.
This seems like an innocent weakness, if not a “likable” one—at least, for all those whom we’re pleasing, but Paul made it clear in Galatians 1:10 that we cannot be people pleasers if we want to be servants of Christ. In other words, don’t put someone else’s opinions, feelings, or expectations above God’s.
Lack of prioritizing.
Each day, we’re bombarded with countless opportunities. It’s easy to jump on those things that squeal the loudest or perhaps that are most easily engaged in. Other times, we simply haven’t evaluated and then prioritized all of the activities we engage in. We can do a lot of really great things, but if God’s not calling us to them, they’re likely hindering our obedience.
In order to make time for writing, we may have to let something else go.
Negative thinking.
Writing is tough, and the journey for even the most talented is filled with setbacks, rejections, and steep uphill climbs. Negative thinking is counterproductive and a complete waste of time. Every moment that we’re feeding our fears, insecurities, and doubts, we’re taking precious time we could be using to write. More than that, negativity is a muse killer, while joy and peace causes creativity to soar. If we want to be successful, we’ll take full control of our thoughts.
I believe God will hold us accountable for how we use our time and the gifts and talents He’s given us. Regardless of the outcome, regardless of what He chooses to do with the words we type, our role is simple—to obey and offer all we have to Him, the One who gave His all for us for us, trusting He’s working all things, even rejections and setbacks, for our good and His glory.
Jennifer is giving away two ebooks of Dancing in the Rain. Enter here for your chance to win.
About Jennifer Slattery’s Newest Book Dancing in the Rain
On the verge of college graduation, Loni Parker seeks employment as a music teacher, but no one will hire her since she’s blind. Or so she thinks. To take her mind off her troubles, her roommate invites her to spring retreat at Camp Hope in the gorgeous North Carolina mountains.
Unbeknownst to Loni, Michael Ackerman, the director, is an ex-con responsible for the accident that caused her blindness. When Loni warms up to camp and wants to return as a summer counselor, Michael opposes the idea, which only makes Loni want to prove herself all the more. Though she doesn’t expect to fall for the guy. Still, her need for independence and dream of teaching win out, taking her far away from her beloved Camp Hope . . . and a certain director.
Camp director Michael Ackerman recognizes Lonie instantly and wants to avoid her at all costs. Yet, despite the guilt pushing him from her, a growing attraction draws him to the determined woman. She sees more with her heart than the average person does with his eyes. But her presence also dredges up a long-buried anger toward his alcoholic father that he’d just as soon keep hidden. When circumstances spin out of control, Michael is forced to face a past that may destroy his present.
Buy it here.
All so true. I try to please everyone and pray that God helps me find time to please Him!
Catherine, as the Bible says, do all as though you were doing it for the Lord. While we do need to please our readers, I think if we please God by writing the story He’s given us, we’ll be pleasing our readers too.
Jennifer I loved this! Your words really spoke to me because this has been an ongoing struggle for me as I’ve been working on my first book. It seems like something is always calling my attention away from my writing. And then I get snared in the doubt and fears. When I remember who I’m writing this book for it brings me back where I need to be. It’s all for His glory. I appreciate your insights and powerful words. Thank you!