Writer, What Do You Want?

 

By Andrea Merrell

I hear it all the time in the writing and publishing world:

• 
  I don’t know what to do.
• Do I self-publish or try to find a publisher?
  
• Should I seek an agent?
• Which genre should I stick with?
• Can I write both fiction and non-fiction?
• Who is my target audience?
• Am I good enough? Maybe I’m in over my head and should just quit.

We all struggle with these questions from time to time, but maybe we can take a lesson from Nehemiah. When he went to the king, the king’s question was, “What is it you want?” (Nehemiah 2:4 NIV). Nehemiah had a ready answer because he had taken the time to pray. God gave him a vision and birthed a desire in his heart to accomplish it.

Think about it for a moment. What has God placed in your heart? What are you passionate about? Do you love writing articles, blog posts, or devotions? Maybe fiction is your forte or reaching children with stories that will lead them to Jesus. Perhaps your gift is teaching other writers. The list could go on and on … marketing, graphics, web design, editing, mentoring.

Whatever God has placed inside you, the Bible says to “stir up the gift of God which is in you” (2 Timothy 1:6 NKJV). The NLT says to “fan it into flames.” A God-given vision can begin as a tiny seed, but it keeps growing until the proper time. Our responsibility is to spend time in prayer and to water the seed.

So maybe the question for you today is, “What do you want?” When you know the answer, pursue it. Pray about it. Develop your gifts, and trust God to open the right doors at the right time. And never compare yourself with others.

The Word for You Today says:

Your (main) objective is to become better than you were yesterday. That could apply to anything—parent, friend, employee, spouse—but definitely to our calling as a writer. Make it your goal to be a better writer today than you were yesterday. That comes with practice and persistence.

Are you ready for the challenge?

Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net and Stuart Miles.