What does navigating a boat across an ocean have in common with writing a book? Both sailing and composing a story take us on exciting, fulfilling, although occasionally challenging journeys. Just as we need instruction and tools to steer our boat along the path we prefer to take, we must also have some basic knowledge in the craft of the written word.
Sometimes we cruise on calm seas and the words flow easily. Other times we wander through a fog of confusion and despair. Where am I? Why did I choose this difficult undertaking? Fear and uncertainty join the crew for a brief interval, but eventually are replaced once more with exuberance and courage… until I hit the doldrums—becalmed, drifting, my thoughts a blank sea of glass. But even though I’m stuck, going nowhere, I can still find inspiration in the writing of others such as Francine Rivers, Michael Phillips, Kristin Hannah, and my new favorite author, Amanda Dykes. Their books transport me to other lands and centuries, and suddenly I find myself in the midst of new lives facing their own highs and lows. They encourage me to not give up, to move forward. I begin to be drawn back into my own stories, my created characters who have become part of me, both family and friend. A gentle breeze ruffles the sails. Before I realize it, I’m back on course, headed to my destination—the completion of my next novel.
I’ll likely run into turbulence along the way —rough seas that threaten to capsize the boat and gale force winds that cause me to change course. However, these disruptions are only temporary. Winds and seas will soon settle again into better sailing conditions with a fifteen-knot wind on a comfortable beam reach beneath balmy azure skies. From survival mode I’ll be lulled back into the rhythm of the sea, waves of inspiration pushing me onward with renewed clarity and purpose.
Where does this peaceful state of mind come from, even during the storms? It begins every morning with quiet time. Reading Scripture, contemplating, and praying. God’s thoughts become my thoughts. His purpose becomes the path for my day. His words pour forth through my pen.
And the voyage continues…
- A few of my favorite books:
- Whose Waves These Are and All the Lost Places by Amanda Dykes
- Mark of the Lion series by Francine Rivers
- Secret of the Rose series and Caledonia series by Michael Phillips
How many whispers of the watching Spirit do we let slip by? While we brood over a need not yet come to us!…When we should be still, sleeping, or dreaming, we’re fretting about an hour that lies half a sun journey’s away! —from “Knowing the Heart of God” by George MacDonald
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