A Writer May Wonder—When Is it My Turn?

 

By Tammy Karasek

 

Writers’ conferences are happening all over the country, and there have been many so far. With all of them, we’re hearing about the successes of our fellow writers. While we listen to the contest finalists announced and friends being asked to send in proposals to various agents or acquisition editors, we pause and wonder when it will be our turn. We listen to their exciting announcements as we receive rejections. Or worse, no response at all.

Whether attending a conference to pitch your book or submitting your writing piece to a place accepting submissions online, we would all agree that our desired outcome is to hear:

This is the best story/article ever. We want this book/article from you and want to pay you top dollar! Who cares what your platform numbers are. Who cares if you even have a platform. Why, you’re just the next best writing thing that has come along!

I say that with tongue in cheek, because I am—after all—a fiction writer like some of you. That scenario is not likely to happen unless we write that into a book.

We can fall into the trap of the comparison game if we allow ourselves to go down that path. How did she get a deal? She just started writing, and I’ve been slaving away for years? Why does he get every article published that he submits no matter where he submits it to?

But what if we begin to think differently about our writing and our writing timelines. More than likely you are writing because you felt God nudge you to do so. Since He has done that, He probably gifted you with the talents of stringing words together to form understandable sentences. Maybe it’s not Chicago Manual of Style perfect, but you’re getting there. The message is clear, but maybe not presented in perfect grammar—yet.

We need to continue to write the words God gives us to spread the gospel where maybe someone may not expect. We as Christ-followers and Christ-writers can share about Him to a person who may never pick up a Bible, but they may pick up a book to read a “good” story. God has you writing right where He wants you for this moment.

I’m reminded of Queen Esther. She needed to keep her identity a secret to protect her people. But her cousin/guardian Mordecai reminded her that while the work may be toilsome and somewhat scary, he posed the question to her in Esther 4:14b: “Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for such a time as this?”

I know, I know … you’re going to say, “But ,Tammy, how will my words get out there if God isn’t giving me a book deal?” Who told you God wanted you to have a book deal? Did He actually show you that He wanted you to write a book to be published?

Could He be asking us to write the words He gave us and when He is ready, will place them where He wants them? Who knows where God wants your words to land. If we don’t get a book deal on our first pitch, should we throw in the towel and quit forever? I don’t think so.

Instead of becoming discouraged because you haven’t landed that multi-million-dollar book contract yet, maybe just take a breath. You may be in the process of pitching a book at a conference or submitting an article to a magazine or compilation book. And with these, you might hear a yes or a no.

So, here’s my what if for you:

What if we chose to think differently about those no answers we may get. Instead of taking that no and let Satan roll that one word into things like: No way! Who in the world told you that you could write? Are you nuts—you can’t do this writing thing.

What if we change that to:

Instead of NO and a string of negativity behind that simple word, how about we change our thinking. What if when we hear NO, we take that as no, not yet.

God has us right where we are just as He had Queen Esther. We don’t see the why. She didn’t either. But let’s keep working the craft and learning all we can.  Attending writing conferences, joining a writers’ group, or finding a writing partner is a great way to grow as a writer. Let’s be excited for the others as they get the long awaited Yes. You need to know, someday that will be you—or me—and we will want to feel free to share without making someone else sad or angry. Let’s rejoice when others rejoice. Our time will come.

Though the writing journey may may not feel exciting at times—and we may have to stand up for Jesus in our writings to non-believers—let’s remember what Peter instructed to the Elders at the end of I Peter 5:12b: “My purpose in writing is to encourage you and assure you that what you are experiencing is truly part of God’s grace for you. Stand firm in this grace.”

I encourage each of you to stand firm in the grace of God and keep on writing for His glory, no matter what.

Share with us something you have found to help you when you hear about the success of others that overwhelms you with self-doubt and discouragement, making you question whether you should continue to write and if you might ever get a turn for that yes.

 Photo by Simon Hurry on Unsplash

 Photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash

Tammy Karasek uses humor and wit to bring joy and hope to every aspect in life. Her past, filled with bullying and criticism from family, drives her passion to encourage and inspire others and show them The Reason to smile. She’s gone from down and defeated to living a “Tickled Pink” life as she believes there’s always a giggle wanting to come out!

 

A writer of romantic suspense—with a splash of sass—her debut book, Launch That Book, released in 2023. She’s published in a Divine Moments Compilation Book—Cool-inary Moments. She’s also a writing team member for The Write Conversation Blog, Novel Academy, Blue Ridge Conference Blog, The Write Editing, and more.

 

Known as The Launch Team Geek, Tammy helps authors launch their books. You’ll also find her as a Virtual Assistant for several best-selling authors, the Social Media Manager for the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference, Founding President and current Vice-President of ACFW Upstate SC, and Founding President of Word Weavers Upstate SC. Connect with Tammy at https://www.tammykarasek.com.