Go Back to Why - The Foundation for All Writers.

Writing a story?

A unique story?

A story that catches the readers imaginations and interest, and holds it all the way to end, leaving them with a longing for more of your stories?

That's hard work!

Unless you are a story genius. But even they, I think, pour "blood, sweat and tears" into their books to make sure they are as good as they possibly can be.

And yeah...that leads to burnout.

General apathy.

And the forbidden thought - "Maybe I'm just not cut out for this."

Sound familiar?

Writer. I see you. I TOTALLY GET IT!

10 years ago a story idea birthed in my heart. I started it, changed it, scrapped my beginning to start again. I changed the plot, the setting, just trying to make it work.

I burnt out and gave up multiple times going through this process.

But I always came back to it. It always sat in the back of my mind, and my dream to write it never left.

It should be done. I should've come to this years ago, dug in and got it done.

I should've established - My Why

It finally dawned on me that - "maybe this story isn't leaving me because the Lord wants me to write."

And I began to pray and think deeply about it.

Why is that it I want to write this so much?

Why do I want to write at all?

Our whole lives are built upon a foundation. And it's important that your foundation is solid. We ought to be settled upon the ROCK, Jesus Christ. And everything in our lives should stem from that.

Even the smallest creative pursuits need a why. Because times get tough. Business gets hard.

An author's life can feel lonely because it feels like our work is overlooked, ignored, or taken for granted.

And when those times come, you need to go back to your why. You need to do what you do for more than just the accolades of the people. Go back to the foundation you started upon.

Through prayer and time in thought, I've come to this.

My Why

1. I believe that God has given me a gift. To say so, is not bragging. It is giving glory to Him, and if I didn't acknowledge that, I would be wasting what He wants me to use.

2. Since I was young I've had the desire to write clean Christian Fiction for young people. Not only because I love stories and writing, but because I was one of those young people who struggled finding good things to read. I see a need that needs to be filled.

3. I hate presuming on my Lord's will, and so I won't state it as for sure, but I have tried other ventures, other hobbies, all of which the Lord was fine with - but I ultimately feel Him leading me to this. I can't explain it. It's just there.

And so, because of these things, I have decided: If this is truly something He wants me to do, all I can do is step out in faith and find out. Put my best into it. Follow His guidance. Enjoy the journey.

AND. Leave the results in His hands.

That is a big one for me. I can pour out my energy and time into it trying to make it work myself. But I can't produce the fruit. Only God can do that. So instead of trying to MAKE it work, I will give it my best, and then trust Him for guidance, and that it will be what He wants it to be.

So when I struggle. When I feel like giving up. When it feels overwhelming, I go back to this.

It's the foundation that keeps me going.

So....what is your why?

I encourage you to step back, and take the time to think about it. Pray about it. Everyone's answer is different. It doesn't have to be deep. But it needs to be important enough to keep you going when the going gets tough.

Here are few prompting questions:

• Why do you write?

• Why do you keep coming back to it?

• What do you love about stories? Be specific.

• Do you desire to write for others or just for personal enjoyment?

• If you desire to write for others, why? What need do you see that you want to fulfil?

• Do you feel God calling you to this? Or have you ever asked Him to use this talent of yours for His honor and Glory?

There are no right or wrong answers to these questions. It's just designed to help you think. Write down your answers. PRAY, and then come up with your why.

And then write that down somewhere.

I think you will find it will help you like it has helped me.

So. Now its your turn.

TELL ME YOUR WHY! I would love to know! Drop it in the comments, and lets encourage each other to pursue the Lord with our talents!

Are you a writer looking for inspiration, encouragement, and tips and tricks of the trade?

We have set up an email subscriber where we plan to share and connect with our fellow writers about all things writing related!

If you are interested, Subscribe for free, and we will send everything new and exciting straight to your inbox