THE 'WRITE' LIFE

You have an idea you think is great. Therefore, you labor for days, weeks, months – maybe years over it. Then it's finally done and you give birth to your baby!

You show it to your family and friends and of course, they all love it. Now you have confidence so you take the next step – you present it to a publishing company expecting them to be as overjoyed as your family and friends were when they read it. After all, God gave you the idea how could it not be well received, but it happens and you are rejected.

Thus begins the self-debasing litany.

Am I any good?

Should I be doing this kind of work?

Maybe it wasn't God who gave me the idea.

…and finally – I guess it wasn't meant to be.

For the writer who believes their calling truly came from God, being turned down by the publishing gurus can create cycles of self-doubt. Well, cheer up, because this is only natural.

My writers group has often told me that I am focused and know where I am going. It wasn't always that way. Many a night I cried out to God asking Him to take this desire to write from me. My desire to be obedient to God was so paramount in my mind that nothing else mattered.

However, I discovered something remarkable. Each time I asked God to cure me of the writing bug I'd come up with another idea for a story. Eventually I realized this was God's desire for my life, but in His way and His time.

I began to study the art of writing in a more serious fashion by going to the annual Christian writers conference in the state where I live. Then at an editor's suggestion, I took the three-year training at the Christian Writers Guild run by Jerry Jenkins, (by the way, an excellent course with excellent mentors).

All this I did to prepare me for the day an editor said yes to my work. Then as God would have it – He turned my direction completely around. At a local conference, an editor expressed an interest in my three novel proposal. Initially I was elated, but the more I prayed about it the more I felt God leading me to self-publish. (This road may not be for everyone – listen to what God tells you)

My first novel, The Rich American Woman has been published and available for sale. In recent months, I have been doing the book signing tour at the local Family Christian stores.

No, I am not selling books hand over fist, but I am ministering to people in many ways like the man who kept circling my book table at one signing. The man looked as if he truly needed to talk. Every time he passed my table he said, 'how are you doing?' At first, I just smiled, and then the Lord led me to talk to him. The ministry that followed opened up this man's entire world. He left saying, "Now I understand why I couldn't leave the store, I needed to hear the words you gave me."

For me the power of ministry through books is an open field waiting for writers like you and I to plant seeds of hope, healing, forgiveness, and God's unchanging love for His children.

If you aspire to be a writer, I give you the following words of wisdom;

1. Follow your heart

2. Keep your spirit open to God's calling for your work.

3. Allow yourself to been discouraged, but never give up.

Lastly, the journey is worth the struggles you have to face along the way.

Angela T. Pisaturo