I’m not the first to say this, and I won’t be the last: I don’t like writing; I like having written. It’s a strange way to live, as someone who wants to be a professional writer. But it describes my feelings about it perfectly.

I fully recognize that I am blessed to have a series published. It surely helps with the motivation to sit down and do the work I don’t really like to do, because I like the end result so much. I know for new writers, they might not have even this. And the real rub is you have to write in order to have written.

The hardest hurdle for me is the fact that there are no guarantees when it comes to my writing. Writing takes so much time, brain power, and soul, and there is a good chance that it is all for naught. I may never sign with an agent. Even if I sign with an agent, a publisher may never choose to publish the story that I have spent possibly hundreds of hours on. And yet, if I want even the possibility of the best case scenario, I have to write. I have to take the risk that all of my work is for nothing.

Do It Anyway

I often think of this little gem you can find floating around on Pinterest. It always kicks me in the gut. When I interact with my kids, I want the result to be positive. And if it’s not going to be positive, then I don’t feel like doing it. It’s the same as I think about our society. Sometimes I want to hide away, because people are not always going to react to what I say or do in the way that I want them to. They respond with their own thoughts, and sometimes those thoughts are ugly or mean. But I must carry on anyway.

And if I want to be a writer, then I must do it anyway. Even if no one wants to buy it. Even if no one wants to jump on my team. I’m not a writer if I don’t write, and I believe in my heart that God has called me to write.

The point is, I have to do it anyway. No matter what anyone else does. It’s the hardest hurdle for me. But I’m going to suck it up and jump over it anyway.