(So, I wrote chapter one of a new book on Friday. It’s a military suspense, which is WAY NEW for me. It reminded me of this post from last year, so I thought I’d share it again, because I’m feeling a bit like this…)
I’m procrastinating.
It’s true.
This is the part that I hate the most about writing. I’m sitting here and staring at a blank Word document (Well, I was. Now I’m writing this…) and I’m hesitating to put down the first word. I’ve got the germ of the idea for the next book. I’ve even written the first page on paper with a pen. (Yep, paper and pen still exist!) I’ve got the character sketch for the main character done.
But, I’m still staring at that blank Word document and hesitating.
Why?
Well, a little bit of it might be because I’m the tiniest bit afraid. If I put that first word on the screen, then I’m committed. I’m either committed in succeeding to write the book or in failing to write the book. It’ll either come to a big ol’ something or a big ol’ nothing. The big ol’ nothing scares me. I like the new character. I think I’m afraid of failing her. Unless you’ve written something before, that sounds insane because, as is obvious to us all, characters only exists in my head, so I can’t really fail them. But I can fail to tell the story that God’s placed in my brain, if that makes any sense at all. I can fail to make the characters come to life the way they’re meant to.
But then I remember something. It’s hanging on the wall next to the computer. It’s Ephesians 6:19: “Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel.” And there ya have it. That’s what I need to do. God’s word, God’s job, without fear. Yay, God!
So, I’m gonna go now and I’m gonna commit myself. It’s high time I did it. I wrapped up Going in Circles around mid-October and have been editing and “selling” ever since. It’s time I got around to putting that metaphorical pen on the metaphorical paper again, huh?
Or maybe I’ll go get lunch first?
Suzanne says
And it's really good, Jodie! I love that I'm getting to read your story through the ACFW large crit group.
Jodie says
Thanks, Suzanne! Enjoying yours too!