Today is a 5th Tuesday, and that means you get to hear from a guest blogger. Today’s guest is my friend, Laura Polk. Laura is a novelist I met several years ago at a writing conference, and I was immediately drawn in to her story. (And no, I’m NOT the one she refers to in this post!) I’m thrilled that Laura will be attending the Christian Communicators Conference in August at The Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove!
What a joy to share this post with you today as we continue our focus on writing conferences. I hope Laura’s words will encourage you to keep learning, keep growing, and keep doing the work of a writer.
Encouragers and Discouragers, by Laura Polk
The first time I attended a writer’s conference, I couldn’t wait to meet with the editors and get my book deal. Truly, I’d written a novel of pure genius. They would love it. I was certain. I imagined bringing the contract home to my family a few days later and us taking pictures with it. Pictures on the porch serving it sweet tea. Pictures cuddling up next to it in a chair. Pictures pushing it gently on the baby swing.
Ahem.
Imagine my surprise when I was told I wasn’t ready. To be honest, I was told that my story was terrible. I believe the editor’s exact words were: “I can’t stand to turn the next page and go into that scene.”
Wowzer.
I’d been writing for about a year. A whole year, people. What could I possibly learn that I hadn’t already gleaned from my growing stack of writer’s books? I mean, my mother loved the book.
Oh, how I wish I could talk to my “back-then” self, now.
That was a time of great discouragement for me. I think I spent about 90% of that conference hiding out in various places, crying.
It was also a turning point. In the midst of the discouragement, encouragers came along beside me to push me forward. God kept whispering: “In time.”
I’ve been writing for about 8 years now. A lot has changed. I still have a tremendous amount to learn. In fact, in my entire lifetime, I can see that I won’t learn everything I need for a novel of pure genius. I’ve also realized that though my encouragers have kept me pushing towards my goal one step at a time, my discouragers have played a significant role as well. And, in tandem, they have been the indicators of getting closer to my goal.
2 Corinthians 4:16 says: Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
Though the comments you hear may wound you, if you are truly going in the direction to which you are called, you will still feel a renewing of your spirit, pushing you forward. Despite the naysayers.
God uses it all, sweet friends. The good comments in our life, and the bad. The people who build us up, and the ones who might tear us down. The encouragers, and the discouragers. Truly, He works all of it towards His goals. Towards His purpose for our lives.
As I’ve pushed to discern what it is that God wants me to do with the gifts He’s given me in this life, my path has been made clearer by this duality of people around me. And, if there’s one thing I can encourage you with, it’s this:
The closer you become to what God has called you to do, the more resistance you will face from others.
Not encouraging? I know. But, I tell you this so that you will be encouraged to keep it in mind. To push onward knowing that this is part of the process. The enemy clearly has an agenda on our lives: to distract, discourage, and dissipate the power we have in Christ.
Use this as confirmation. Resistance against what you feel called to do can be an indicator that you are on the correct path, if you feel that what they are saying is in disagreement with what God is saying. As you begin to get resistance from others, or comments that make you question what you’re doing, take heart. Then, seek the Encourager who reminds us:
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9
Don’t give up, sister. Listen to your encouragers. Learn from your discouragers. Then turn to the One who uses both and whispers to our hearts, “In time.”
BIO: Laura Polk is a freelance writer and textile designer residing in North Carolina with her husband and three children. Her passion for storytelling that speaks truth inspires her to create fiction that is both compelling and thought provoking. Laura is the Women’s Ministry Co-leader at her church and a host at Moms Together on Facebook. She blogs at Follow her writing journey on Facebook at /laurapolkauthor, or get a glimpse into her quirky thoughts and inspirations for design and writing on Pinterest at /laurapolk.
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Who Won Poppy Smith’s Book?
And the winner is…Kristin Hill Taylor! Congrats, Kristin. All you need to do is contact me with your choice of either Why Can’t He Be More Like Me? or I’m Too Young To Be This Old. Include your snail mail address and the book will be on its way!
And friends, don’t feel bad if you didn’t win. You can get your own copies of Poppy’s books here:
Why Can’t He Be More Like Me?
I’m Too Young To Be This Old
Speaking Wisely: Exploring the Power of Words
I’m Too Human To Be Like Jesus
Happy reading! Happy writing!
Vonda
