Monday, March 19, 2018

Write Like Nobody's Watching by Marianne Evans

Marianne Evans

Encoragement
noun


    ·         The act of giving someone support, confidence or hope.
    ·         persuasion to do or to continue something.
    ·         the act of trying to stimulate the development of an activity, state, or belief. 

      Four years ago, I was approached by the lovely and gifted Annette Irby to become a monthly contributor here at Seriously Write. My assignment? Share words of encouragement as we work our way through this crazy but wonderful writing journey.

This month, as I considered what topic to cover, I looked through some of my old posts and realized I’ve never discussed something I’ve faced that you might be facing, too: How to maintain an encouraging, upbeat and productive writing life when you feel anything but.

I’ve been a professional writer in some form or fashion for most of my adult life. I’ve been around long enough to know the writing business will deliver enough ups and downs to leave me feeling like I’ve just ridden Space Mountain at Disneyland.

That’s okay. Ups and downs are part of any worthwhile endeavor. The secret to longevity, however, is persevering. So, the encouragement I want to share today is a secret I’ve discovered to hanging on to everything that’s good about my writing ministry when everything else seems to go south. I’m generally a positive, upbeat person, but at times a sense of futility leaves me beached on the shores of creativity. Every strong effort forward leaves me two steps behind, disappointed in reach, productivity, sales. Sometimes life encroaches on precious writing time, or I rejoice, yet feel unworthy when I watch I see others succeed in their publishing dreams with seeming ease.

A recent bout with those demons left my husband to share these inspired words that I want to share with you: “JUST WRITE THE BOOK.” His point was this: Don’t focus on outside circumstance and white noise. Don’t focus on reaching readers, on sales, on acceptance/rejection from a publisher. Doing so diminishes the joy God wants to deliver through the gifts He’s bestowed. Focus on what inspires you and then, just DO IT!



WRITE. Write like nobody’s watching. Write for joy. Write to share the message you long to convey. Don’t get caught up in the things you can’t control. Remember: lasting success takes work and relentless commitment. Success requires the sure knowledge that you were meant to put your keister in a chair, your fingers to the keyboard, and craft a compelling story.

“JUST WRITE THE BOOK.” Focus solely on sharing the gift and message God delivered. Doing so, I firmly believe, will lead you to persevere.

Click to tweet!


~~~~~

Every saint has a past…and every sinner has a future

Country music bad boy Chase Bradington is on the comeback trail. Fresh from rehab for alcohol addiction, and transformed by the power of Christ, Chase is battling to rediscover the music he loves and a career he nearly ruined. Then he meets up and comer, Pyper Brock, and instantly sparks ignite.

Pyper knows of Chase’s reputation, so despite a rampant attraction to the handsome and talented icon, she soundly dismisses his romantic overtures. Decades ago, her father, in a drunken rage, tossed her and her mother onto the streets. No way will Pyper make the mistake of falling for a man whose done battle with the bottle.

What happens when Chase’s quest to win Pyper’s love breaks down chains of resentment and eases the long-buried wounds of her childhood? And what happens when Pyper’s father shows up in Nashville, clean, sober and seeking a chance to apologize?

Can Pyper follow a pathway to peace when it comes to her father? Can she fully trust Chase? Above all, can a sin damaged past be released in favor of forgiveness?

~~~~~

Marianne Evans is an award-winning author of Christian romance and fiction. Her hope is to spread the faith-affirming message of God’s love through the stories He prompts her to create. Readers laude her work as “Riveting,” “Realistic and true to heart,” “Compelling.”

Her Christian fiction debut, Devotion, earned the Bookseller’s Best Award as well as the Heart of Excellence Award. Her follow-up novel, Forgiveness, earned Christian Small Publisher Book of the Year honors as did her book Hearts Communion. She is also a two-time recipient of the Selah Award for her books Then & Now and Finding Home. 

Marianne is a lifelong resident of Michigan and an active member of Romance Writers of America, most notably the Greater Detroit Chapter where she served two terms as President. You can connect with Marianne at www.marianneevans.com.