One of my favorite quotes from a fictional character is Anne Shirley’s profound declaration that, “Tomorrow is always fresh, with no mistakes in it.” That’s how I feel about a new year too. The more years that fly by the more I’m reminded that time is precious and not to be wasted on loitering in the past. With each new year comes God’s reminder to, “Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?”
When you’ve been writing for a while with little to no traction in the publishing world, it can be difficult to perceive that your writing has any purpose. But take heart. As Christian writers we know that our purpose is to write for Him. If we are doing that faithfully, then we can be assured that He is the one taking care of the details and timing of publication.
The start of a new year is a perfect time to take stock, realign ourselves with our calling, and press on with a renewed commitment to writing. And it just so happens that the start of a new year provides plenty of built in opportunities to motivate a renewal. Here are a few:
- Take full advantage of writer’s conference season. Whether it be a local conference or one in another state, it is well worth the time and investment to attend. Writer’s conferences not only help you gain important connections with agents and editors, they also provide training to improve your craft and connect you with other writers who are on the same tedious journey. I’ve never attended a conference that didn’t result in my returning home with new passion, writing vigor, and drive. Map out a plan to attend one now, the anticipation will help motivate too. Here’s a great resource to find a conference that is the right fit for you:
- Join a critique group if you are not already involved in one. It’s amazing how inspiring it can be to hear feedback about your writing—the good and the bad. There are plenty of great groups out there for the finding, but Word Weaver’s Intl. has been my go-to group for years. I look forward to the first Thursday of each month, and it serves as a deadline to submit something fresh or freshly improved. I also love the structure of the meetings and the friendships I’ve made through them.
- Create monthly writing goals for yourself and share the plan with someone who can ask you about it each month. Challenge yourself to stretch your norms or simply to remain consistent. It’s a fact that people who have accountability partners are more likely to stay motivated to succeed. Here’s a great article about how to set achievable writing goals.
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17, Isaiah 43:19, Philippians 3:12
Fun Fact: I read this quote from Hope Bolinger when she posted it for Serious Writers Club on Facebook. It inspired me. I hope it will do the same for you.
“It takes years to find an agent. And when the agent picks you up, years to find a publisher. And when the publisher picks you up, years to get the book published. And when the book gets published, years to start making money from royalties. And when that book sells, years to get the next one sold. It’s all a process. Don’t worry if it’s taking you a while to get your book with an agent or book sold. It’s just a slow industry. You’re not behind. You’re right on time.”
Annette Marie Griffin is a award-winning writer who speaks at local women’s group meetings and women’s retreats on the topic of biblical womanhood and finding our identity in Christ. She is the Operations and Events Coordinator at a private school for special needs students and is the editor of their quarterly newsletter. She has written custom curriculum for women’s retreats and children’s church curriculum for Gateway Church in San Antonio, Texas where she served as Children’s Ministry Director and Family Program Director for over twenty years. She and her husband John have five amazing children and two adorable grands. She’s a member of Word Weavers International, ACFW, SCBWI, and serves on the Board of Directors for The Creative Writing Institute.
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