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I sometimes worry that I’m too attached to my writing and that it’s become an idol, or that I’m writing purely for myself and that I should be writing for God.
Ok so this is something I’ve been trying to figure out how to balance, too! On the one hand, I recognize that God has given me a gift to write, and I want to use and grow that gift, but then on the other hand, writing takes a lot of mental space, and I feel like it’s so easy for me to get lost in a story I’m writing, and then I feel guilty when I see how much of my time it consumes when I could’ve been reading my Bible. Or when I go to spend time with God and all I can think about is the story I’m writing. I haven’t really found an answer yet to that predicament, and it’s honestly kind of frustrating. I’ve been wanting to see how other writers handle that, and it’s probably not something every writer struggles with, depending on the depth of their relationship with God.
As far as the publishing aspect, I honestly haven’t given it much thought… It’s sort of been a “maybe someday in the future” kind of thing for me. I guess I’m in the same boat as Jonas. I enjoy writing, but at this point my stories aren’t really close to being published, so I haven’t thought about publishing.
I will say though, I sort of published a book… not officially. And it’s terrible, lol. I can hardly read it because I cringe so much, haha. For my sophomore year of high school, I did a write-a-novel-in-a-year course, and then had it printed so I could give copies to family and friends who wanted it. But I didn’t get an ISBN number or anything for it so I couldn’t sell it anywhere I don’t think. The plot wasn’t bad, but now that I’ve gotten better at writing, I see mistakes in it that bug me… and I can’t change it because it’s already in print XD.
Ok, I’ll be done ranting now.
"Real love is for your good, not for your comfort." -Justin Whitmel Earley
I suppose I’m pretty late, however I don’t have much to say/add. I think everyone has given some advice/encouragement and all. 😊
I, too, don’t think to far into the publishing half of things… And I kinda just write because I have a strong love for my gang.
Flaz: *yawns* Did the sun just come up? In the west?
Ok so this is something I’ve been trying to figure out how to balance, too! On the one hand, I recognize that God has given me a gift to write, and I want to use and grow that gift, but then on the other hand, writing takes a lot of mental space, and I feel like it’s so easy for me to get lost in a story I’m writing, and then I feel guilty when I see how much of my time it consumes when I could’ve been reading my Bible. Or when I go to spend time with God and all I can think about is the story I’m writing. I haven’t really found an answer yet to that predicament, and it’s honestly kind of frustrating. I’ve been wanting to see how other writers handle that, and it’s probably not something every writer struggles with, depending on the depth of their relationship with God.
THIS IS LITERALLY MY LIFE!!! I DIDN’T KNOW ANYONE ELSE STRUGGLED WITH THIS AND I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST ME!!
Lukas&Livia
#Lalbert
Sef&Chase
#HOTTOLINE
LEFSE FOREVER!!!!!! <333I completley relate to what you wrote. I have OCD as well and am working through it in different areas of my life, but when it comes to writing, somedays I just think I need to quit writing altogether because it’s on my mind constantly.
I know sometimes I need to calm my brain down from the overload of thoughts, but I used to immediately go from “calm your mind down” to “you’re sinning by idolizing your stories and need to quit writing forever”. Which I now know isn’t the case, but I still get into those mindsets from time to time.
I’ve written more since I’ve joined KP than I have the past year, mostly because I had felt so guilty about it and questioned everything. I go through a cycle of knowing writing is a gift God has given me the tools to do, but then I feel guilty because I think I’m idolizing it, then I tell myself I need to quit writing, yet then I always go back to the first thing of remembering God has given me a crazy imagination and things to write with.
"Great winds of a derecho, you're a scary bird!"
I never really thought of OCD like that before. Now reading what you guys go through, I actually might have it, because you just described how I feel about my writing. Idk.
Lukas&Livia
#Lalbert
Sef&Chase
#HOTTOLINE
LEFSE FOREVER!!!!!! <333@Everyone
Ok so this is something I’ve been trying to figure out how to balance, too! On the one hand, I recognize that God has given me a gift to write, and I want to use and grow that gift, but then on the other hand, writing takes a lot of mental space, and I feel like it’s so easy for me to get lost in a story I’m writing, and then I feel guilty when I see how much of my time it consumes when I could’ve been reading my Bible. Or when I go to spend time with God and all I can think about is the story I’m writing. I haven’t really found an answer yet to that predicament, and it’s honestly kind of frustrating. I’ve been wanting to see how other writers handle that, and it’s probably not something every writer struggles with, depending on the depth of their relationship with God.
THIS IS LITERALLY MY LIFE!!! I DIDN’T KNOW ANYONE ELSE STRUGGLED WITH THIS AND I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST ME!!
I can relate to this more than I can say!!! and it’s so hard, I’ve tried talking to my small group about it but none of them are really writers and it’s just really hard
Do me a favor…. Tell Cress I meant it
-ThorneI can relate to this more than I can say!!! and it’s so hard, I’ve tried talking to my small group about it but none of them are really writers and it’s just really hard
Yeah. It’s so hard because no one understands how hard it is being a writer unless they are one, and no one really understands what we’re going though!
Lukas&Livia
#Lalbert
Sef&Chase
#HOTTOLINE
LEFSE FOREVER!!!!!! <333@savannah_grace2009 @hybridlore @beth-torres @smiley
I didn’t struggle with this as much when I was younger, but now that my schedule’s gotten busier and it has come down to making choices between spending more time with God and writing, it’s gotten worse. I miss the days when I had enough time to spend an hour or more with God and then still have time to write, and that was on top of my schoolwork. (Perks of homeschooling lol) But then I graduated and had to get an (almost) full-time job and so my free time is much more limited, which pushes me to have to manage my time more efficiently, but I still often don’t have time to do everything I’d like to do.
"Real love is for your good, not for your comfort." -Justin Whitmel Earley
@trailblazer @smiley @beth-torres
On the one hand, I recognize that God has given me a gift to write, and I want to use and grow that gift, but then on the other hand, writing takes a lot of mental space, and I feel like it’s so easy for me to get lost in a story I’m writing, and then I feel guilty when I see how much of my time it consumes when I could’ve been reading my Bible. Or when I go to spend time with God and all I can think about is the story I’m writing.
Exactly!! I just feel like writing is such a personal thing that it’s super easy to get obsessed with it. Yeah, I haven’t really found a solution either, but it’s really comforting knowing I’m not the only one who struggles with this. Honestly, sometimes just stories in general — even after finishing a book, if it’s really good, I find myself going back and just thinking about the best/most emotional parts of the book over and over again, if that makes sense. I don’t know if that’s just me or if that’s something writers do in general, but that bothers me sometimes too because I feel like I could be praying or thinking about God and instead I’m focused on the same story.
@bethtorres
I completley relate to what you wrote. I have OCD as well and am working through it in different areas of my life, but when it comes to writing, somedays I just think I need to quit writing altogether because it’s on my mind constantly.
I know sometimes I need to calm my brain down from the overload of thoughts, but I used to immediately go from “calm your mind down” to “you’re sinning by idolizing your stories and need to quit writing forever”. Which I now know isn’t the case, but I still get into those mindsets from time to time.
I’ve written more since I’ve joined KP than I have the past year, mostly because I had felt so guilty about it and questioned everything. I go through a cycle of knowing writing is a gift God has given me the tools to do, but then I feel guilty because I think I’m idolizing it, then I tell myself I need to quit writing, yet then I always go back to the first thing of remembering God has given me a crazy imagination and things to write with.
Girl, this is exactly how I feel. I even stopped writing during a brief time early this year where my OCD got really bad, because it felt wrong–even though I know I just was letting it control me, which isn’t how you’re supposed to handle it. Thankfully it’s a lot better now but I still really struggle with it some days. Especially when I think that I should be writing for God’s glory and not just my own, because if I’m honest I do want the glory for it. But I guess I’m just trying to work through it and pray about it.
Have you read any books about it? I know of some good ones I could recommend that have taught me some ways to handle it that I’m trying to use.
@sara
I never really thought of OCD like that before. Now reading what you guys go through, I actually might have it, because you just described how I feel about my writing. Idk.
Yeah, I think a lot of people don’t realize it can apply to other things besides checking locks non-stop and things like that. But you can have thoughts about whether something is right or not, whether you should do it, without having OCD, it just makes those thoughts a lot more obsessive, if that makes sense. I would Google it if you think you might have it and read some articles about it.
@miley
I can relate to this more than I can say!!! and it’s so hard, I’ve tried talking to my small group about it but none of them are really writers and it’s just really hard
Yeah, it is hard when no one really knows what you’re talking about XD. I guess it might be a common theme among Christian writers, which makes sense. Even other jobs can feel like you can become too involved in them, too. J guess it’s just finding a balance between using your gifts and keeping Jesus the center of your life.
I didn’t struggle with this as much when I was younger, but now that my schedule’s gotten busier and it has come down to making choices between spending more time with God and writing, it’s gotten worse. I miss the days when I had enough time to spend an hour or more with God and then still have time to write, and that was on top of my schoolwork. (Perks of homeschooling lol) But then I graduated and had to get an (almost) full-time job and so my free time is much more limited, which pushes me to have to manage my time more efficiently, but I still often don’t have time to do everything I’d like to do.
Right, that makes sense. It definitely is harder when you don’t have time for everything.
It’s a relief to know I’m not the only writer who struggles with this! ❤️
WE ARE REVIVING THE PROTECTION SQUAD! *steals Joseph, Julian, and Sabina from Ellette*
Honestly, sometimes just stories in general — even after finishing a book, if it’s really good, I find myself going back and just thinking about the best/most emotional parts of the book over and over again, if that makes sense.
Oh yeah, it’s super easy for me to get wrapped up in reading books, too! To be fair, some books have been really good and have actually pushed me to grow in my faith, which is amazing, and that’s the kind of thing I’d like to write. But then there are others that get me focused on things that may not necessarily be bad, but they’re not really beneficial either.
I think in some ways it is actually healthy to take a break from writing for a little bit, but if you’re doing it for the right purpose. I’ve taken breaks from writing when I’m stuck, and didn’t come back to the stories until I had fresh inspiration that helped me push through it. And sometimes I’ll take a break from writing just for a few days or a week in order to spend intentional time seeking God, because it just helps to clear my head so I can hear Him more clearly.
"Real love is for your good, not for your comfort." -Justin Whitmel Earley
@everyone
I thought I was the only one XD
I am so glad I’m not alone and we can all encourage each other! I really do miss homeschool, because like @trailblazer said, you don’t have to choose between God and writing as much as you do in public school.
Exactly!! I just feel like writing is such a personal thing that it’s super easy to get obsessed with it. Yeah, I haven’t really found a solution either, but it’s really comforting knowing I’m not the only one who struggles with this. Honestly, sometimes just stories in general — even after finishing a book, if it’s really good, I find myself going back and just thinking about the best/most emotional parts of the book over and over again, if that makes sense. I don’t know if that’s just me or if that’s something writers do in general, but that bothers me sometimes too because I feel like I could be praying or thinking about God and instead I’m focused on the same story.
I do that too!
Lukas&Livia
#Lalbert
Sef&Chase
#HOTTOLINE
LEFSE FOREVER!!!!!! <333I totally understand!
I know that I personally get over doubting myself and my writing pretty easily, because I talk myself into or out of things all the time. XD So if I’m thinking my writing isn’t very good, I just remind myself of a ton of things I’ve learned over the years and then I push through it. But I understand that not everyone is like me. 😉
I’ve written a lot of stuff. I think I started writing when I was 9, and couldn’t figure out for the life of me how authors managed to make their chapters more than a page long. 😂 I started taking writing seriously after I discovered KP, which was when I was abouttt… 11? Their articles helped me tremendously! But I almost wish I didn’t get rid of all my writing from when I was 9-11ish, because then I could look back and see just how much I’ve grown as a writer.
I think that’s what has helped me a lot. I grow with each new story I write. With my usual WIP, I think I just found out I might have to revamp it. 😬 But this is a story and characters that I’m passionate about, and I don’t want to trash it. So I’m just going to keep on writing and editing, writing and editing, until I’m ready to put it out into the world. My NaNo WIP on the other hand, will probably be third-drafted by February. It’s much easier for me to write than my other WIP, and I’ve identified why. Because I’ve grown and know how to balance pantsing and plotting, how to develop stronger characters, and what things should and shouldn’t be included in the final draft. (Not like I know everything yet. I’m not even close. 😂)
All that to say, your old (and sometimes new) writing is always going to look bad to you as you learn new things. So take your time if you have to. Don’t rush things. I literally started my first book when I was 9 or 10, thinking it would get published one day. Welp, I was wrong. My writing was terrible and the plot was really weak.
So just keep writing. I’ve finally learned that no matter how many articles you read or how many YouTube videos you watch or how many great authors you learn from, your writing is not going to get better unless you just keep writing. The more you write, the better you get.
I’m not saying this to tell you that you should trash all your old work and only write your current WIP just to get better, because that’s not the case. Keep writing it, but make sure to work on a variety of different writing skills outside of it, so you can grow. And when it comes time to edit your draft, you’ll feel much more confident.
Don’t let the fear of bad writing slow you down. You can always go back and make it better. And you’ll always be getting better the more you write.
You may not ever feel ready to go the traditional publishing route. You may not ever feel ready to even self-publish, or at least send your work into a publishing company. But then, will you ever feel ready?
So like I’ve repeated, just keep writing. You’ve got this. 💖
(Oh, another thing. So I’m planning to send in short stories and such into multiple writing contests next year, just to see where my where my writing is compared to others’ and to learn how it feels to be rejected. XD If it’s something your interested in, i have a link to an article by an awesome author, where you complied a list of writing contests for 2024. (: )
Write what should not be forgotten. — Isabel Allende
I’ve also been trying to work on not letting the feelings of it take over my decisions. I haven’t looked into anything as far as books that help. Could I have some of the recommendations for any that you like?
It’s pretty much as @hybridlore said about OCD, how it makes the thoughts way more obsessive.
Also, this topic was a great idea. It’s awesome being able to relate to other writers.
"Great winds of a derecho, you're a scary bird!"
Hmm… Strivings Within by Mitzi VanCleve is pretty good! The first half is more about the author’s personal experience with OCD, anxiety, and panic disorder, but the second half goes into a lot about how to handle it. Another one I’ve read is The OCD Healing Journey by Mark DeJesus, which is also good. It’s definitely more about how to handle your own OCD and diagnose it, and less about the author himself.
Also, another one I haven’t gotten to was Breaking Free of OCD by Jeff Wells. I haven’t read it yet because I wasn’t able to find it without buying it, but I’m hoping I’ll be able to find it through our library sometime. So if you can find it, it’s probably worth checking out.
WE ARE REVIVING THE PROTECTION SQUAD! *steals Joseph, Julian, and Sabina from Ellette*
Y’all, this article has so many good quotes!!!
Write what should not be forgotten. — Isabel Allende
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